Interview with legendary death metal band from Spain - UNBOUNDED TERROR.
Answered Vicente Payá (guitars, vocals), thank you!
Recenze/review - UNBOUNDED TERROR - Something Is Rotten In Humanity (2025):
Ave UNBOUNDED TERROR! It took me most of the weekend, but I found the tape. It's crumpled and didn't play much, but I got it. I bought the "Nest of Affliction" album a long time ago at a record exchange. If I'm not mistaken, the only guitarist left in the band from the 90s is Vicente Payá. How did you get the idea to start playing death metal back then? Could you please take us through the history of your band?
It sounds like you’re a true fan! Unbounded Terror is one of Spain’s pioneering death metal bands, and their journey is pretty fascinating.
I, Vicente Payá was one of the founding members, and back in the late ’80s and early ’90s, death metal was exploding worldwide. Bands like Death, Obituary, and Morbid Angel were setting the tone, and Spain had a growing underground scene. Inspired by that brutal sound, Unbounded Terror was born in 1990 in Mallorca.
Their debut album, Nest of Affliction (1992), is a raw and crushing example of early European death metal. However, like many underground bands of that era, they faced challenges, and after a few years, they disbanded. I went on to form other projects like Golgotha, diving into doom/death metal.
Fast forward to 2020, and Unbounded Terror made a killer comeback with Faith in Chaos, proving they still had that old-school aggression but with a modern touch. Since then, they’ve kept releasing music, keeping that original brutal essence alive.
This year you released a new album after three years. I have to say that for me, your music has been such a safe bet for a long time. We're of the same blood, that's for sure. I wonder how the new album "Something Is Rotten In Humanity" came about? What was the vision and how satisfied are you with the record? Where did you want to move to?
That’s awesome to hear! If our music has connected with you like that, then we’re definitely of the same blood.
"Something Is Rotten in Humanity" came after three years of refining our sound while staying true to that classic Unbounded Terror brutality. The vision was clear: take the old-school death metal roots and inject even more aggression, darker atmospheres, and sharper production. Lyrically, we wanted to dive into the corruption, decay, and twisted aspects of humanity—hence the title. It’s a reflection of the world we see around us.
As for satisfaction, we couldn’t be happier. The response has been incredible, and we feel this album represents exactly where we wanted to take the band. The production is heavier, the riffs hit harder, and there’s more variety in the songwriting. It’s still Unbounded Terror, but with a sharper, deadlier edge.
Where do we want to move next? We’ll see. But rest assured, it’ll be dark, intense, and uncompromising. Thanks for sticking with us all these years!
Probably the biggest change from last time is the new drummer Engelbert Rodas. Respectively, there have been other personnel changes in the band. Why do you change musicians so often? Did you have to change the style of writing new material because of that?
Actually, the drums on the album were recorded by Davide, and Engelbert Rodas joined the band afterward. That being said, every lineup change brings a fresh dynamic to the band. We don’t change musicians intentionally or frequently—it’s just the natural evolution of working with different people over time. Each member contributes their own energy and approach, which can influence the writing process to some extent, but at its core, our sound and vision remain consistent. Engelbert has his own style, and as we move forward, his playing will naturally shape our live performances and future material.
You will probably agree with me that sound is very important not only in a death metal band. For the new album I had to sit down. It's a tsunami! A total old-school massacre. Just my taste! Where did you record it, who signed the mixing and mastering? Did you have much say in the final sound?
Unbounded Terror’s latest album, Something is Rotten in Humanity, is an absolute storm of brutality—pure, relentless, and deeply rooted in old-school death metal. This time around, I, Vicente Payá, took charge of the recording process at my own Black Night Studios, ensuring that every riff, every blast beat, and every growl captured the essence of what we wanted to deliver: a raw, devastating, and authentic death metal experience.
Once the recording was complete, we sent the tracks to Davide Billia, who handled the mixing and mastering at MK2 Studios in Ivrea, Italy. Davide’s expertise in extreme metal production was key in achieving the perfect balance between aggression and clarity. His work helped enhance the intensity of the album while preserving the organic and classic death metal sound that defines Unbounded Terror.
Throughout the entire process, I had a significant say in shaping the final sound, making sure it reflected our vision and stayed true to the band’s roots. The result? A total old-school massacre—uncompromising, ferocious, and exactly the kind of album that makes you sit down, take a deep breath, and prepare for a sonic onslaught. If you crave death metal in its purest form, Something is Rotten in Humanity is here to crush everything in its path.
The cover artwork is signed by the very talented and my favourite Juanjo Castellano. He also painted the artwork for your album "Faight in Chaos". I like his work a lot, I know right away that it is his handwriting. What was the brief for the painting for "Something Is Rotten In Humanity"? How did you and the artist reconnect and why him?
Absolutely! Juanjo Castellano is an incredible artist, and his ability to capture the essence of old-school death metal in his artwork is unmatched. His dark, detailed, and brutal style has always resonated with Unbounded Terror’s vision, which is why I was eager to work with him again for Something Is Rotten in Humanity.
For this album, I wanted something that visually represented the decay and corruption within humanity—something raw, grotesque, and thought-provoking. The brief to Juanjo was to create an image that embodied a world consumed by rot, both physically and morally. I wanted the artwork to be dark, atmospheric, and heavy, just like the music. He completely understood the concept and delivered a cover that perfectly reflects the essence of the album—something unsettling yet visually stunning.
Reconnecting with him was a natural decision. He had already done an outstanding job with Faith in Chaos, and his unmistakable style fits Unbounded Terror’s aesthetic perfectly. His attention to detail, his ability to create depth and emotion in horror-themed art, and his dedication to the extreme metal scene made him the obvious choice.
I knew that when people saw the artwork, they would immediately recognize it as Juanjo’s work, and that’s exactly what I wanted—an iconic, powerful visual statement that complements the sonic devastation of the album.
Your new album has some very interesting lyrics. I can't tell you how many times I identified with them. What are they about on the new album and who is the author? And where did you get the inspiration for them?
Thank you! It’s always amazing to hear that the lyrics resonate with listeners. For Something Is Rotten in Humanity, the lyrics are deeply personal, yet they also reflect universal struggles —anger, frustration, and the dark reality of the world we live in.
As for the author, Andrew wrote all the lyrics himself. The inspiration came from observing the decay of humanity—violence, corruption, manipulation, and the overall moral and ethical downfall of society. The album is like a mirror, reflecting the darkest aspects of human nature.
Each song tackles a different theme, but they all revolve around the same core idea: how rotten and twisted humanity has become. Whether it’s about deceit, oppression, personal struggles, or the chaos that surrounds us every day, the lyrics are meant to be raw and thought-provoking.
It’s great to hear that you’ve identified with them—because that means they’ve done their job. I wanted them to feel realand relatable, not just words thrown together to sound brutal. They come from a place of truth, and if they strike a chord with you, then I couldn’t ask for more.
In the Czech Republic we are almost all atheists. There are a negligible number of believing Christians. Or let me try to write it better, the church doesn't interfere in social events. Sure, occasionally a few sheep riot before a concert, but it's rather funny. How is it in Spain? Have you ever had problems with that as a band?
Spain has a strong historical connection to Catholicism, but in recent years, society has become much more secular. While there are still many people who identify as Christian, the influence of the church in daily life and social events has significantly declined. Religion is much more of a personal choice now rather than a societal force.
As for problems with the church, Unbounded Terror has never really faced serious issues. Of course, extreme metal has always been a target for controversy, and every now and then, there might be some criticism from religious groups, especially in more conservative areas. But nothing that has ever really affected us or our shows.
Spain has a strong metal scene, and fans here understand the genre. Even if some people don’t like the themes or aesthetics, they usually just ignore it rather than protest. Maybe years ago, there was more resistance, but nowadays, metal is accepted as part of the music culture—even if it's still underground.
So while there might always be a few "sheep" who complain, just like you mentioned in the Czech Republic, it’s more amusing than anything else. Metal is about freedom, rebellion, and expression, and no amount of religious noise is going to stop that.
You're from Palma, Mallorca. What's your scene like, bands, clubs? I live in a semi-big city in the Czech Republic and death metal doesn't do well here at all. Every gig I want to go to means a long journey for me. How is it with you?
Yes, Unbounded Terror is from Palma, Mallorca, and the metal scene here is definitely alive, but being on an island makes things a bit more complicated.
There are some great local bands, but the scene is relatively small compared to mainland Spain. We have bands playing death metal, black metal, thrash, and even doom, but it’s still quite underground. Some notable metal bands from Mallorca include Helevorn (doom metal), Golgotha (doom/death), and Aeolian (black deathl).
When it comes to clubs and venues, there are a few places that regularly host metal gigs, like Es Gremi . However, bringing bigger bands to Mallorca is tricky because of the logistics —flights, equipment transport, and the limited audience. That means we don’t get as many major death metal tours stopping here, and when we do, they’re usually smaller-scale events.
For bigger concerts and festivals, we have to travel to the mainland, usually to Barcelona or
Madrid, which is a short flight away but still an extra effort. It sounds like your situation in the Czech Republic is similar—you have the passion for the music, but you have to travel to really experience the full scene.
That being said, the dedication of the metalheads here is strong. The people who support extreme metal in Mallorca are true diehards, and when a good gig happens, you can feel the energy. It’s a tight-knit community, and that’s what keeps the scene alive!
What about your beginnings? UNBOUNDED TERROR dates back to 1991. In underground circles, you are rightly called a legend. When and how did the idea of playing death metal come about? What about the first gigs? From 1993 to 2019 not much was heard of you, why exactly? Please reminisce for us.
Wow, thanks for calling us a legend! It’s amazing to hear that Unbounded Terror still has that kind of respect in the underground scene after all these years. Let’s go back to the beginning…
The idea of playing death metal came about naturally. Back in the late '80s and early '90s, I was completely absorbed by the extreme metal movement—bands like Death, Obituary, Morbid Angel, and Entombed were a huge influence. At that time, in Spain, death metal was still something very underground, and I wanted to bring that brutal, dark sound to life. That’s how Unbounded Terror was born in 1991.
We started playing local shows, and it was an exciting time because extreme metal was just beginning to grow in Spain. There weren’t many bands doing pure death metal, so we quickly gained recognition in the underground scene. Then, in 1992, we released our debut album, "Nest of Affliction", which became one of the first death metal albums ever released in Spain. It was raw, brutal, and captured the true essence of old-school death metal.
The early gigs were intense. Playing extreme metal in Spain in the early '90s wasn’t easy—it was still something new, and venues weren’t always open to booking death metal bands. But the underground fans were loyal, and the scene started to grow little by little. We played anywhere we could, sometimes in small clubs, youth centers, etc… showswhere people just wanted to hear extreme music. It was a time of passion and dedication—no internet, no big festivals, just tape trading and fanzines spreading the word.
After a few years of activity, Unbounded Terror disbanded in 1993. The reasons? A mix of personal situations, lineup changes, and the difficulty of keeping a death metal band alive in Spain at that time. The scene wasn’t as developed as in other countries, and we were still young, trying to figure things out.
After Unbounded Terror ended, I continued making music with Golgotha, my doom/death band, which took a different musical path but still kept the spirit of extreme metal alive. Meanwhile, Unbounded Terror became a cult band, with Nest of Affliction gaining a legendary status in the underground over the years.
For a long time, I thought Unbounded Terror was a closed chapter, but the passion for death metal never left me.
In 2019, I decided it was time to bring Unbounded Terror back. The extreme metal scene had grown worldwide, and I felt that old-school death metal still had something powerful to offer. That’s when we released "Faith in Chaos" (2020)—our first album in almost 30 years! It was a comeback full of brutality, classic death metal vibes, and raw energy, proving that Unbounded Terror was still alive and stronger than ever.
Since then, we’ve kept going, releasing "Infernal Judgment" (EP, 2021) and "Echoes of Despair" (2022), and now with "Something is Rotten in Humanity" (2025), we are more determined than ever to continue delivering pure, uncompromising death metal.
So yeah, it’s been a long journey—with highs, lows, and a long silence—but in the end, death metal never dies. And we’re here to prove it!
What does death metal and music in general mean to you? How do you see it in relation to your life and society? Is it a hobby? A lifestyle? What has it given and taken away from you? Feel free to get philosophical.
Music, especially death metal, is more than just sound to me—it’s energy, emotion, and expression. It’s a way to let out feelings that words can’t always explain. Death metal, in particular, is raw and powerful, like a release of everything dark and intense inside.
In my life, music is both a personal escape and a way to connect with others. It’s not just a hobby—it shapes how I see the world. It can be a lifestyle for some, influencing the way they think, dress, and live. Society sometimes misunderstands death metal, seeing it as just noise or aggression, but it’s really about passion and truth, facing the harshness of life head-on.
Music has given me a sense of belonging, excitement, and purpose. It’s taken away silence, maybe a bit of hearing, and sometimes even time I could have spent doing something else— but it’s all been worth it. In the end, music, like life, is about feeling something real.
What are UNBOUNDED TERROR planning in the coming months?
We’re entering an intense and exciting phase for Unbounded Terror. Our main focus right now is the release of our fourth studio album, Something is Rotten in Humanity, which drops on April 1, 2025, via Xtreem Music. This album marks a new chapter for the band, as we now operate as a power trio, Ankor isn’t in the band anymore. The music is raw, crushing, and filled with the essence of what Unbounded Terror stands for.
We’ve already released singles—"Reviving" and "Fear of Dying," the latter as a lyric video— to give fans a taste of what’s to come. The response has been incredible, and we can’t wait for the full album to be unleashed. Additionally, we’ve just dropped a new single, Divine Virtue, along with a full video clip, bringing even more energy and depth to the album’s release.
This is just the beginning—we’re actively working on more dates and festival appearances to make sure Something is Rotten in Humanity reaches as many fans as possible.
2025 is going to be a massive year for Unbounded Terror, and we’re ready to bring absolute.
I hope to see you live somewhere soon. The new album is really good. Thanks for it and for the interview. I appreciate it. May it play as well as possible and may you do well in your personal life!
Thank you very much for the interview, I hope I answered everything you wanted to know.
This year, we’ll be playing at Obscene Extreme—let’s see if we see you there.
Best regards to everyone, and thanks for the support!
about UNBOUNDED TERROR on DEADLY STORM ZINE:
Recenze/review - UNBOUNDED TERROR - Something Is Rotten In Humanity (2025):
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