• First of all, tell us how the band was formed, how each of you met, because it seems that objective/effort combined with musical technique was a choice that matched well.

Parabellum was formed in 2021 when Emre (vocals/guitar) and Dylan (lead guitar) connected over a shared passion for heavy music and a drive to create something of their own. Still in high school at the time, they recruited Jacey (drums) after Dylan saw his talent and invited him to join. That completed the core of Parabellum’s early lineup. Our bassist, Kyle, joined later after a lineup change, and instantly fit right in — both musically and personally. We all come from different musical backgrounds and influences, but it’s that chemistry — that blend of raw energy and individual creativity — that really shaped the sound of Parabellum.

• I've been a metalhead since 1986 when I bought Metallica's Master of Puppets, and I know the American and European Thrash Metal scene very well (Xentrix, Testament, Kreator, Destruction) as well as the early 80s/90s bands like Sepultura, etc. - Listening to PARABELLUM feels like a trip back to that golden era. How are the songs developed, and did you have private lessons to learn how to play your instruments better?

First off, that means a lot coming from someone with your history in metal! Our writing process is very collaborative — every song starts in a jam room, where all of us bring in riffs, ideas, and influences from the music we love. Nothing is off-limits during the writing process — it’s all about finding what feels natural and powerful. The heart of Parabellum is that combination of old-school thrash attitude with the raw aggression of modern metal.

As for lessons — some of us have taken formal lessons with local musicians and continue to study privately, while others are more self-taught or learned through school music programs. But honestly, most of our growth comes from constantly challenging ourselves, rehearsing relentlessly, and learning from the bands that inspired us.

• Behold a Pale Horse is your new album. For those who haven't heard it yet, give us a summary about this album.

Behold a Pale Horse is, in a lot of ways, the soundtrack to the end of the world. Inspired by the biblical reference in the Book of Revelation, the album tells the story of Death riding out, with Hell following close behind. But beyond that imagery, it’s really about the mental state of a collapsing world — fear, violence, survival, and madness. Every song paints a different scene from that apocalyptic vision. It’s fast, aggressive, and unrelenting — exactly what we wanted our debut full-length to sound like.

• If you could play with 10 famous/big bands, which ones would they be? Do you think this will be possible one day?

There are so many bands we look up to, but if we had to pick ten dream bands to share the stage with, it would be: Cavalera, Exodus, Testament, Anthrax, Machine Head, Death Angel, Kerry King, Obituary, Sodom, and Kreator.

We absolutely believe it’s possible. We've already been fortunate to meet and talk with people connected to these scenes, and doors are beginning to open for us. We’re working hard, staying hungry, and pushing every day to turn those dreams into reality.

• As I said in question number two, I know a lot of bands and everything that the major labels are releasing on the market. In my opinion, if PARABELLUM were in the 90s, I think you would be signed to Roadrunner Records or Metal Blade Records. What are the biggest challenges for a new band in today’s market?

First off, that’s an honor to hear — Roadrunner and Metal Blade are absolute legends in this genre.

Today’s biggest challenge for new bands is cutting through the noise. There’s never been more music available, and while that’s a good thing in some ways, it also makes it harder for bands to stand out. It’s like walking into a music store and staring at a wall of guitar strings — too many choices, too many voices competing for attention.

But metal fans are loyal. They know how to find the real thing. And just like discovering your favorite gear through a friend or fellow musician, we believe the people who love raw, honest, heavy music will always find their way to the bands that mean it.

• Some bands never give up on their goal. You see, Sepultura only got a good deal after releasing their third album, the same happened with Behemoth before they were signed by a big label. It’s still early to talk about Parabellum’s third album, but will we have more good surprises?

Absolutely. We’re already deep into writing new material and pushing ourselves harder than ever before. We’ve got a studio and producer lined up who we believe will help us take things to another level. Expect faster riffs, heavier breakdowns, and an even more aggressive sound — but always true to the thrash roots that built us. There are plenty of surprises ahead… we’re just getting started.

• Thank you for taking the time to answer this interview. Leave a message for Metal fans.

Thank you for supporting underground metal and for keeping this scene alive. To every headbanger reading this — stay thrash, stay loud, and keep discovering new music every single day. Check out Behold a Pale Horse, come see us live when we roll through your city, and we promise — this is only the beginning.