It is not often that we hear of bands from Peru. But one band that is ripping up stages on the underground scene is the mighty Hyena. Alex from thenwothm.com caught up the band to see what is going on in the bands csamp

THE NWOTHM: For those who do not know who you are, can you tell us your band name, who is in the band and where you are from?

HYENA: Hello to you all there! Here El Sucio, singer from the band. We are Hyena, we are from Peru and we play heavy metal.

THE NWOTHM: Hyenas are known to live, hunt and travel in a “pack”. Does the name speak of your integrity as a band?

HYENA: That’s a good one! Never thought about it… but you could say that as we get along pretty well between us.

THE NWOTHM: Few words about the band members and can you share some funny facts around each individual?

HYENA: Well, we are a five piece combo: Alfonso and Sergio on guitars, Gherald on bass, Diego Leonardo on drums and me on vocals. We are five regular guys from Cajamarca and Lima as the band is split between two different states of Peru. We have managed very well to work together despite the distance. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic we consolidated the current lineup and since then we haven’t stopped writing songs, recording and touring.

THE NWOTHM: Fact from wild life – among spotted hyenas, females dominate over males in a group and until few years ago your band had a female lead singer. Tell us what causes the change and why they call your new frontmen “El Sucio” (The Dirty one)?

HYENA: It was 2020 during the pandemic that she left the band. Then Alfonso got in contact with me so I could support them and things went well between us. I think it is just part of those lineup changes that most bands have at the beginning.

THE NWOTHM: HYENA is a relatively young formation. Has any of you past experiences with other local bands and if yes – tell us more about them?

HYENA: We all have been involved in different bands and projects before Hyena. Previously I was in Cobra, a heavy metal band and also in a psych project called The Underground Parties. I think it’s something common when you are into this music.

THE NWOTHM: Main musical influences for you as artists? What are your idols from the heavy metal of today and from the past 4 decades?

HYENA: Our main source of inspiration is heavy metal and rock and roll. We just do our own interpretation with our music. Talking about heavy metal idols from the past 4 decades, it would be Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Satan, Mercyful Fate, Metallica, Anthem to mention a few. Some contemporary bands that I respect and admire are In Solitude, Acero Letal, Enforcer, Voltax, Bölzer, Traveler and more. Beside enjoying their music, what I like about them is the fact they have managed to stay relevant in this time, recording, touring and having a unique proposal.

THE NWOTHM: Last week (i.e. 17.02.2023) your gig supporting one of the godfathers of NWOTHM – “Enforcer” , that was supposed to happen in the capital of Lima, got cancelled in the last moment. THE NWOTHM is truly sorry for this traumatic experience and please share with us the circumstances around it. In general, what is it like to be a headbanger in Peru?

HYENA: Nothing traumatic, it’s just another show canceled in Peru. Sure it’s a downer but it’s not unusual either. The real traumatic experience is what’s happening in Peru right now. Innocent people are shot and killed, political and police violent repression and abuse, fu*king up every form of human right. We were touring last month and we couldn’t return by bus to Juliaca (Peru) because the migratory office was set on fire.
So.. about being a headbanger in Peru, I guess each one lives metal their own way. We are not a metal country, not even a rock one. Metal is not a popular genre as it can be in the UK, Europe or the US, so all metal is very underground.

THE NWOTHM: Touring South America is something you’re familiar with already. Is there anything you consider unique in the heavy metal culture of your continent?

HYENA: Yes, people in Latin America, we all have some aspects in common that I think you can connect and relate with if you live a similar kind of reality or background. Latin Americans are very passionate, expressive and are always welcome to extend their hand to another one. That you can experience also in metal culture across the continent.

THE NWOTHM: The best and the worst thing for you when being on the road (on tour)?

HYENA: The best thing on the road: everything. The worst thing on the road: when it ends. Of course fatigue and tiredness happens but it is part of touring.

THE NWOTHM: If the Gods Of Metal grant you just one wish , your next tour will be with…..?

HYENA: Tour across the world.

THE NWOTHM: Your band merch has very nice and unique design. Who is the “creative engine” behind it are you producing it locally?

HYENA: We are very dedicated when it’s time to produce merch, we put special effort into it. We like how Iron Maiden or Kiss have worked their merch through the years. I think it’s cool to have some memorabilia from the bands you enjoy.

THE NWOTHM: As a band ,what is your biggest regret so far and what is your biggest fear for the future?

HYENA: No regrets yet. Biggest fear for the future? Nothing either.

THE NWOTHM: You have a brand new single, to join your demos, EP, Split and Live Album. Seems you have all the menu lined up except for the “main course”. Are we smelling a debut album any time soon?

HYENA: Yes. In the following weeks we will start recording our debut album. All our releases so far have been worked in a very homemade way, so this time we will do it in the way it should be. That’s exciting for all of us.

THE NWOTHM: Can we expect the HYENA metal machine to “bite off” Europe in 2023?

HYENA: It would be nice but we already have this year booked with two more tours and dates around our continent. I hope in the near future we can tour Europe, that would be amazing!

THE NWOTHM: Where can people check out your music/merch?

HYENA: You can follow the band on the following social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HyenaHeavyMetal/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hyenaheavymetal/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HyenaHeavyMetal
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hyenaheavymetal
People interested in merch can order it through Bandcamp here:
https://hyenaheavymetal.bandcamp.com/merch

THE NWOTHM: Anything else you would like to mention?
HYENA: Thanks Rob & Alex for the space and the interview. I hope more people from the UK and other parts of the world can discover the band, listen to it and enjoy it.