I know you need no introduction, Enrique, but would you like to tell our readers a brief history of how your path has led you to become the Enrique Chavez you are today as a Death Metal singer? What was the music you grew up with, and how did you end up involved in extreme Metal? I know you had a band with your brother when you were 15 years old or so. Please tell us about that.
“It all started at a young age. 1979 and forward. Hearing music that was playing on the radio. What we call Classic Rock these days. Mixed with bands like BLACK SABBATH, AC/DC, SCORPIONS, IRON MAIDEN etc… But then came that one guitar riff that would change my life forever. OZZY’s ‘Crazy Train’. From then forward music took a big change for me. I became a Metalhead. First show I went to was OZZY’s “Bark At The Moon” tour. I was 13 years old. The opening band was RATT. I was then exposed to more music. My first extreme show was SLAYER on Halloween Night at Battle Of The Bands at our local park auditorium. The entrance fee was $1. That was of course the beginning for the dark side. Exactly DARK ANGEL would play the Battle Of The Bands at the same park. Entrance fee $2. Bands like MOTÖRHEAD, DESTRUCTION, SODOM, KREATOR, POSSESSED, CELTIC FROST, VENOM etc… would now be playing constantly on my parents turntable. The rest is history as more darker and more extreme bands would be entering into my possession. The band with my brother was a one time show. They played DESTRUCTION, SLAYER and other covers. I stepped up when their singer was a no show. They broke up right after.”

Before merging with the Cortez brothers to become SADISTIC INTENT, you had a band with Joel. Can you please tell us about the history of that band and what it was able to achieve during its existence?
“Wow. I’m surprised you are familiar with that part of the history. Yeah, we started with a band called WARMONGER. Taken from one of WHIPLASH’s songs from their debut. We wanted to be taken seriously and we played a few decent local shows and it just was not working. Along the way we met the Cortez brothers. They were looking for a new singer. After talking with them. I joined their band and the band name was changed to SADISTIC INTENT. WARMONGER was over. Less than two years later the drummer and bass player would leave and in came Joel Marquez of WARMONGER, completing the “Impending Doom” EP line-up.”

Now let’s jump in the fire: In October of 2023, you guys debuted with your “Demo” featuring the tracks ‘In Darkness’ and ‘End Of Days.’ These tracks later became singles and finally found their place on your 2024 EP, “A World In Darkness.” To me, they are the perfect introduction to what real old school Death Metal is, coming from experienced Metalheads and musicians. Can you tell us about the evolution of these two tracks from their initial rehearsal versions to their final forms on the EP? Were there any changes during that transition? Also, were these the very first tracks LURKING TERROR ever wrote?
“First off, thank you for the compliments. Vince Cervera, also an ex – member of SADISTIC INTENT, had some of that music sitting dormant for years. When he introduced what he had written and with a couple of arrangements it became our first two songs written and demoed. It was never shopped around or never even saw its way to a physical format. My long time friend Marco Barbieri was sent a digital copy. He immediately showed interest as well as other European and American labels. But knowing Marco, with his previous work running Century Media, we knew he would be the best person to work with.”

Nine months after the release of your 2023 “Demo,” you guys put out the single ‘This Is War’ in July 2024, preceding the “A World in Darkness” EP, released in November 2024. Did you guys write any other material that you’ve kept unreleased for a future demo, EP or full-length?
“Yes. We had been working on future stuff. Songs have been written even through the process of our debut EP. We decided not to go with a full length and instead use the EP as an introduction to the band.”

Evidently, the name LURKING TERROR is a direct glance to that glorious “Impending Doom” EP that marked a generation, and I know that you decided to use the name LURKING TERROR also because three ex – SADISTIC INTENT members are part of LURKING TERROR: Joel Marquez (drums), Vince Cervera (guitar) and yourself. How did you guys come up with the idea of forming a band like LURKING TERROR, and what do you feel is different now compared to what you all three did with SADISTIC INTENT many years ago?
“As musicians who have written music, have played live and still have music riding through our blood, it’s hard to leave that space in life. In my personal opinion we will always be a part of this music that we chose. Yes, it may have been many years but the music still boils within us. The name LURKING TERROR does come from our history with SADISTIC INTENT and to use it as not just a reminder but respect to the band.”

You know, ‘In Darkness’ could not be a better song to present a new Death Metal band in a year like 2023, arising from the depths of the underground, and when tons of Death Metal releases were being put out. It’s dark, it’s evil and it’s Death Metal as fuck. M-Theory Audio put out the video of that song. Can you tell us how the production was and the general concept behind the video?
“Thank you very much again. The lyrics were on concepts I was writing about, back in my SADISTIC INTENT days. Morbid, obscure and strongly influenced by the works of HP Lovecraft. We gave our video production company full say on what the video was to look like based on the lyrics. We’re proud of the outcome. It compliments the music and lyrics very well.”

When I first heard that song, ‘In Darkness’, I immediately identified influences from bands like SLAYER, SADISTIC INTENT, TERRORIZER or NAPALM DEATH, as the Death Metal you play moves around the Death Metal / Deathgrind spectrum. Do we agree on that, or am I off the mark? And, can you elaborate on the collaborative process during songwriting? How are these influences (if I’m on the right track) integrated to create the cohesive, strong and varied sound of LURKING TERROR?
“Yes I agree. It comes from our influences and much to what we were hearing at that time. Fast forward we brought that sound once again and the response has been great. The younger crowd is loving it. The older crowd is respecting it. We play what we feel. We play for those who appreciate it. No compromise. We are LURKING TERROR!”

Hey, Enrique, tell us about the version of ‘In Darkness’ featuring Mitch Harris (NAPALM DEATH, RIGHTEOUS PIGS). His contribution made the song even more Deathgrind and sick. What’s the story behind that version?
“Yes. It’s an unreleased version. Very selective people have even heard it. Mitch Harris has been a friend and family since his work with NAPALM DEATH and work with my wife’s brother and my late brother-in law Jesse Pintado. I sent him our demo recording one night while texting with him. He immediately responded that he liked the song. He asked if he could add a twist to our song ‘In Darkness’. He must have worked through the night in his studio because by morning he had sent me a link to him adding vocals. I heard it and was blown away. The song went from a Death Metal assault to a Death Metal Grindcore song, without rearranging any of the music. I shared it with very limited people. One was Frank Stöver (I really appreciate that, Enrique! – Frank). The song will be released maybe as a single but surely as a bonus song on our full length album.”

Looking at the titles across your discography, for example with ‘In Darkness’, ‘End Of Days’, ‘This Is War’ and ‘A World In Darkness’, I see a strong, consistent thematic thread of foreboding and conflict. Can you please tell us about the lyrical concepts and core inspirations behind these titles and how they connect to the band’s message and view?
“My lyrics stretch a vast spectrum. They are dark in their own ways, morbid and war themed. I don’t stop at one subject. But they are twisted. Sometimes in my own personal twisted mind.”

I really like the LURKING TERROR logo. I’m curious, who created it? And who’s behind the artworks for your material? I think the artworks are sick and fit very well with LURKING TERROR’s identity. Don’t you think?
“The Zombie logo was made by a good friend, Juan Gutierrez. The spider looking logo was created by an artist, Gama Montoya. For the artwork we decided on two different covers. One for the CD version, the other for the LP version. I think it fits well with the title.”

Two short questions: Was M-Theory Audio the natural label for LURKING TERROR? And, will LURKING TERROR continue with M-Theory Audio for future releases?
“As previously mentioned we just sent it to friends. Not shopping around. Some of the friends just happen to be label owners. We were surprised that we received offers immediately. At the time we were getting ready to release a cassette format. Old school style. We never got to that point. With the digital release. We were offered festival spots in the U.S. as well as a quick run of shows in Japan. Things started moving quickly. We decided on M-Theory since I’ve personally known Marco Barbieri since his days working at Metal Blade and Century Media. We talked and we knew that M-Theory would work for us. We signed for two releases.”

Is LURKING TERROR currently working on new songs for a 2025 or 2026 release? I know you had incorporated playing the entire “Impending Doom” set to close your shows with LURKING TERROR. Are you still playing that set live?
“We are working on the second release. We should be sampling a new song or two by the beginning of the year. We’re hoping for a Summer release if all goes well. No title yet. As far as the SADISTIC INTENT “Impending Doom” EP. We have been playing “Impending Doom” songs. We can’t escape not playing them. The crowd is always expecting them. There are always people asking and screaming for them. Slowly we are limiting which ones we play. We have already stopped playing ‘Lurking Terror’ and we will pick and choose which ones we will play depending on the show. But some will always be part of the show.”

In July you guys played in L.A. in a show called “Death’s Embrace” with bands like NAUSEA, EMBODIED-TORMENT, MALIGNANT, RUT, ALKUHL and CAUTERIZED WOMB. How was the energy during the show and how do you feel the underground scene and the audience in L.A. nowadays compared to the late ‘80s and early ‘90s?
“It’s always fun playing with our long time friends / brothers NAUSEA. We have known them for almost 40 years. The other bands are up and coming great bands. It’s hard to keep up with Los Angeles bands. There are so many bands these days. Many of them are very good. But unfortunately there are way too many shows here in the local scene. There are shows almost daily, seven days a week. It’s hard to find time to go see all the shows. My personal opinion on all this, is that bands should pick and choose weekend shows instead. Week day shows are horribly attended especially since most shows are 21 and over these days. I’m glad that the local scene is alive and that it’s come a long way since I started in it. Overall Los Angeles is bad ass!!!!”

I see the band has a series of events scheduled for this month in San Diego, CA and Brooklyn, NY. What are your expectations for these two gigs? Are they part of any larger plan in terms of live shows for the band across the States?
“Both shows you are asking about have passed. They were both great! We are looking forward to 2026. Hoping to have new material and more live shows. Plenty of offers but we will pick and choose which ones.”

Do you guys plan to visit South America in the near future?
“No plans as of yet. But we are open to one day stepping there as well as Europe. Europe is in the works for 2026!”

Okay, Enrique, I think that’s all for now. I thank you for your time to answer these questions. Is there anything else you’d like to share with your fans or anyone just discovering LURKING TERROR?
“Thank you for the interview. It’s always more interesting doing an interview when people know about the history of the band and its players. We’re looking forward to Europe next year and South America if they step up.”

www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083387374661, https://lurkingterrorusa.bandcamp.com

Oswaldo Gonzalez