Today we’d like to introduce you to The Virulent.
Can you start by introducing yourselves? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Jesus Menendez: Vocals/Guitar
Roger Medina: Bass/Vocals
Rolando Medina: Guitars/Vocals
Cristian Medina: Drums
Jesus Menendez: The Virulent began as an idea back in high school after I had left my first band, Doomfire. It was hard as a teen to get around so I focused on getting more knowledgeable on not just my instrument, but music in general. So before the band was solidly formed I decided to go to college for music, because I knew I wanted The Virulent to be something that would challenge me at every turn. Then in 2012 I put an add up on craigslist looking for band members to begin, and that is when the first line up for band came to be with me on guitar and vocals, Adam Saad on bass, Juan Sanchez on guitar, and Miguel Ruiz on drums. We wrote a few songs and got some covers ready and hit the thrash resurgence scene Houston had at the time.
This lineup lasted for a few years until Saad and Ruiz left the band, and it was just Juan and I. We played with fill-in bassists for a bit until Sanchez departed. For about a year, it was just me and the hunt to find a new lineup began while I was working at Guitar Center. I met drummer Bernie Baldwin, a coworker, and we began working on new music and looking for the rest of the band with fill-ins to play gigs, Guitar center is where I found the rest of those band mates, Bassist Roger Medina another coworker, and guitarist Wesley Tiguila. Together we worked on new music and began to work on the scene. We played together for about two years until Baldwin left the band abruptly, and drummer Daniel Gray filled the void 30 days before one our biggest show openings for metal titans Revocation, that was a very solid line up that allowed growth and better writing, Together we played some crazy gigs opening for Enforcer from Sweden, major thrashers from California Warbringer, and the amazing Black Crown Initiate. We were all over the city, but all good things come to an end, and like the great Megadeth this iteration of the band came to an end.
With it just being Roger and I, we took that time to record our first album, “Sentenced To Death”, and while prepping for release, His cousins, drummer Cristyan and guitarist Rolando joined the fold and form the current iteration of The Virulent of the present day. This lineup has been together since 2018, and together we have put out another release “Imperium”. This is the best lineup the band has ever had.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has definitely been a tough road with a band, there are many people and moving pieces. It is a whole relationship, and you have to find the glue that holds it together, The lineup changes definitely held the band back from progressing forward, but you can’t hold people there if they don’t want to be there. We still maintain a great relationship with previous members who still come out to watch us play which is always a good time. Sometimes the feeling of giving up crosses the mind but it’s never enough, the stage and our fans beckon and give us the willpower to carry on and stay the course. You can’t kill Rock and Roll!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
The Virulent is a Progressive Thrash Metal band, that brings a unique assault to the sense and we are proud of our sound. It is what sets us apart from most in our opinion. We have created a distinct sound that blends a lot of influences while having a modern tone. Another is that we bring the shred with our guitar solos, and that is something we love to do. We see how people in the audience light up when they see a ripping solo, and they come up to us after our sets to let us know.
Currently we are working on new music for our next release. Trying to craft some crazy wizardry and magic. We are also focused on getting plans ready for 2023 so everyone keep your eyes and ears open!
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
It’s hard to tell where the music industry is going, It is an ever-changing landscape. and it definitely has cycles, and we see them happening around us. Right now Grunge and thrash has taken up a lot among the youth, and Metal overall has changed to the gravity well of heavy tones and complex writing. in the next 5 to 10 years I can see the music of the early 2000’s making a comeback with bands like My Chemical Romance and System of a Down being a big influence.
One good thing about the industry is that the last 10-15 years have given the artist a lot of power and say as to what they can and cannot do with their music which is different from when record labels ran everything. The labels still have a lot of power but they aren’t the be-all end-all for artists to make a name for themselves and garner a decent fanbase.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: instagram.com/thevirulent
- Facebook: facebook.com/thevirulentofficial
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/the_virulent
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIK0TDmSodjJANRJ50uiR3g
Image Credits
Israel Mendoza | @inknowthedevil_israel
