Interview by Kris Peters
While many international bands - and rightfully so - cite distance and money as two major hurdles towards touring this great country of ours, there are some who throw caution to the wind and depart for these fair shores.
Then there are those who love Australia so much that they return, but even then those bands generally leave at least a two-year gap between tours so as not to overstay their welcome.
But not so Spanish thrash metal outfit Angelus Apatrida, who are returning to this country later this month for a run of nine shows, despite barely 12 months passing since their last visit.
In what is a smart move, Angelus Apatrida are intent on capitalising on the momentum gained on that first tour, striking while the iron is hot to promote their new record Aftermath.
Lead vocalist/guitarist Guillermo Izquierdo joined HEAVY to tell us more.
"We're just finishing a few details with visas and all that stuff," he replied when asked if they are packed and ready to go. "We're still on tour here in Spain, so we will go there with all of the energy."
It's a massive run of shows, a long way from home, so we ask how the band prepares mentally and physically for the challenge.
"When you arrive to a new country, like Australia, which is so far physically you have to prepare," he continued. "You have to plan one day to rest and all that stuff, but I think mentally we always leave it to the last minute. When we go to the venue already… or before the venue, we can go to a bar and get a beer. I think that's one of the first things that we are going to do when we get off in Australia is get a great cold beer (laughs)."
In the full interview, Guillermo talks more about the tour and what to expect, why they are coming back so soon after the last tour, how these shows will differ, the new album Aftermath and how it has been received, how much of that new material they will be playing, touring with Hidden Intent and why they chose that band as national support, playing at Churches Of Steel VI, researching local bands before a show and more.