Interview with Lord Equimanthorn (Espectrum) Colombian Black Metal

In the underground realm of Black Metal, few figures carry the mystique, weight, and legacy of Lord Equimanthorn, leader and founder of Espectrum. Since its birth in 2005, the band has crafted an unrelenting sound drenched in ritual, fire, and darkness, becoming a key reference in Colombian black metal.

In this exclusive Metal Detector interview, Andrea Net dives into the mind of its creator to explore his beginnings, his rawest influences, the reasons behind Espectrum’s rare yet powerful stage appearances, and the ideology that fuels his music. We also uncover details of upcoming projects, including the highly anticipated vinyl release of Awakening in Darkness and the band’s participation in Nebiros’ historic anniversary show this October in Bogotá.

What follows is not just a conversation, but a descent into the depths of one of the most authentic and hidden forces in the Latin American extreme metal scene.

Andrea: Good morning, evening, or afternoon, whatever time you're watching, our dear Metal Detector users. As always, my name is Andrea Net, and we're here today with Allan or Lord Equimanthorn from the band Espectrum. They'll be performing soon in Bogotá, for those who don't know, on October 18th at Ace of Spades. That's where they'll be performing, right? here to celebrate Nebiros' 35-year career, and they'll be performing with some really great bands like Ahriman, Desolator, and Congregación Oscura. So, that's the lowdown. We're going to talk to him about his career, his trajectory, his evolution, etc., and whatever else comes up along the way.

First off, I have to thank you for agreeing to this interview. Thank you very much. My question would be, how did Espectrum come about, and what motivated you to create this project?

Allan: Well, first of all, thank you very much, Andrea, and Metal Detector, well, for the space. Uh, Espectrum started back in 2005. uh, the idea of a one-man band started to take shape, uh, where I started composing the first songs, always with the aim of contributing something more real to the Black Metal scene here in Colombia. uh, I mean real in terms of myself, because I believe that when you have ideas and expressions to express, you have to execute them. So, from there, the Espectrum project began in 2005. So, it lasted for a while, more or less a few good years where I was just making music and composing it, but I hadn't gotten into music production as such or anything, it hadn't been recorded, but the band started to form, or I started to form the project in 2005,

Andrea: about 20 years ago.

Allan: Yes.

Andrea: Very good. Ah, tell me in your performances or in general what role fire, darkness, and the rituals you talk about in your music play and what they mean to you?

Allan: music is a literal expression of personal thoughts and ideologies. So, first of all, it plays a primordial role, which is uh, the exaltation of the being, uh, internal magic, self-improvement and evolution in a dark way. All these parts are fundamental to what my own thinking is, and from there, what music is derived. So, let's say that music as such has always been the complement to my own ideologies.

Andrea: Okay. Espectrum doesn't perform live almost often. They prefer to focus more on recording their work. Uh, tell me, uh, why did this decision happen and why do they prefer to almost never perform live?

Allan: Okay, okay, let's see. Around 2005, as I was telling you before, we—well, when I was starting the project, uh—reached a point where we wanted to start capturing and expressing the music we'd composed and the ideas as such, but for that, we needed people, right? Then, more members started to appear. In 2010, we started recording the first album and so on. Since then, a lot of people have come along who have been working with me as musicians to form the live band project as such . The band doesn't perform much. We do have shows, but it's not that we like to perform very often, for example, in the same city or to be very active in concert, although it's also very important for us anyway. I think the most important thing of all is what materializes. So, that's what I bet on a lot, on what materializes, the composition, on the music as such, more than on an artistic expression outside, which as I say, is also very important, but well, that's how it's been handled, that's how it's also been handled, a part of radicalism with the band where we're not in all the shows that we're invited to or we're not in all the shows, well, looking to see where to play or not to play, right? I prefer rather that it's in the moments where the band's presentation is meritorious, it's very special, that is, the presentation is very important, both what it deserves and for us. Let's say that more than a live show, we totally express what is the The essence of each person who plays with the band. So, it's the key moment where we have to be united in a brutal compendium so that this power can be felt, so that it's not just another band, but rather, it says, they're playing these brutal evils, so that a brutal magic can be felt. I think that can't be achieved by playing every eight days or by playing here and there. No, I think it's more magical and more personal. Both an event and a recording are very important. So, I think one has to be more like, uh, pausing, intuitive, also of where I can perform a good ritual, a good show. I think that's very important.

Andrea: The album Oculta Entropia Mistica. I like it; it has a very striking title. Tell me, what message or what idea did you want to convey in this album, in this production?

Allan: Well, this album refers almost entirely to the transmutation of being, to destroying in order to rebuild, to the exaltation from the deepest part of one's being in order to evolve, the transmutation of meanings, of ideologies, of many things in order to re-emerge in another state of mind. Of course.

Andrea: Perfect. How has Espectrum changed since it began? From 2005, to today, 2025. And how have you changed as an artist? Well, the musical evolution has been while maintaining the same feeling, but I can say that the musical evolution has always been noticeable. Obviously, one doesn't play or compose the same as when one composed 20 years ago as one composes today. I think one also matures in terms of the ideological part, the musical part, the executive part. I think all of that matures over the years. So yes, there has been a great evolution as well. Well, fortunately, the people who've been with me have contributed to the music evolving a little further. But as I said, it's always been a given, given the musical feeling and the very radical ideological aspect of what was happening in the beginning. Yes. I mean, I think it's important to me that the sound, even if it's a little more evolutionary or the compositions, to put it better, are a little more complex or the things that one does, always maintains the identity of the band from its beginnings. So that musical feeling can't be lost, and what one looks for, or what I look for, is practically that the band's albums are always very varied, but as long as there's recognition, that's what Espectrum is. It always has its nuances of its specific parts that give people a new understanding when they listen to a new album, that it's the band. Very good.

Andrea: Hey, tell me, how do you see Espectrum within the Colombian metal scene? A lot to tell.

Allan: (lights a cigarette) Yes. Well, I think we've made a good contribution. I think we've worked hard, especially and very seriously, on Espectrum's career in Colombian black metal. We've tried to leave a mark, but a mark, as I mentioned before, our own. uh, from the image of the band itself, from the lyrics, from the music, everything. So I think in one way or another, the job has been done well. uh, we've tried to position the band in the best sense of the word, fighting it out, being very honest with what we've done from the beginning, especially that part of honesty in terms of ideology and in terms of music, being very honest from the beginning to this day. So, I think a lot of people have recognized that in the band's career , and I think for now we're going all out because Espectrum has to be around for a long time. It's not a band that, as we mentioned before, is not a band that's constantly performing, but it is a very active band in all other situations . We're always on the cutting edge.

Andrea: That's very good. You've worked with several labels, including international labels. What has that experience been like, and what do you value most in a label about the difference between being independent and having a label?

Allan: Well, for me, it's important, too. I think it's important to have a record label. That self-production or independent production is a good practice, but nevertheless, it has its small limitations, right? Like distribution and many things like that, maybe one doesn't have as much reach as a label with a big name. It's extremely important to have a good label. We've worked, as you mentioned, with two international labels. Eh, I think it's been a very good choice what we've had. The expectations were high because also making the band known in other countries, being the label of those countries, is different because it's easier to distribute there. It's not the same to release an album here in Colombia and distribute it to other countries, as a label from another country to do it and distribute it there. So, that's very important. Eh, we've been, uh, very grateful to the people who have supported us with the labels; things have gone very well for us, fortunately with them. So, I think it's a very important and fundamental part also for what has been Espectrum to have emerged a little more. Let's say that in many places, in many parts of other countries, I've had the opportunity to find out that they listen to the band, they like it through the videos, through the label's release of such and such a thing. So, yes, it's very important.

Andrea: Yes, in fact, through the label I contacted you, the one who's currently with Viuda Negra ,through Viuda Negra Music.

Allan: Yes, we're working with Viuda Negra. Greetings to Viuda Negra, to all the friends of Viuda Negra. We've been working with them since, as I told you, four years ago, I think it's been more or less. We already released a review of the first album, Under de Shadows. We released a review with them in a very nice A5 format. Uh, we've been working not only with the album itself, but with events. They're always very attentive to what the band itself does, and that's also a contribution and a very important thing. I think a label should always keep in mind, which is not just the production of the album. I released an album for you and that's it. You're also attentive to the band, you're attentive. You also want to see the band on your label. You want to move from that band because, well, I think you also gave that band the confidence to be there, and the band gave you the confidence to respond in kind. So, it's a collaborative effort, what I'm referring to. That seems very important to me, and fortunately, we've achieved that very well with Viuda Negra.

Andrea: How was the experience of playing with Sacramentum in 2023? You played with them. In 2023. Yes. Tell me everything.

Allan: Well, no, that was incredible. That was incredible. It was a very brutal show, very cool. It was a very cool show. Uh, we've also been doing it regularly here in the city. In my city, I live in Bogotá. We perform maybe once a year, and we'd been waiting a while to play, right? We'd turned down a few other shows, and the opportunity to play with Sacramentum came up. Also, fortunately, this was also in conjunction with Viuda Negra, and it was a really awesome show. It was a great pleasure to have shared this amazing band, also with the national bands that performed. It was an incredible show, impeccable, the sound, the attendance was incredible. In fact, we had some really good memories of it, really cool with the Colombian bands here too. Great, everything was very cool. What a great experience.

Andrea: Oh, tell me, are you working on a new vinyl now, a new album? Anything you'd like to tell us about what's coming up next?

Allan: Well, we released our last album right now at the end of 2024, but we're already working on a reissue of Espectrum's second album, called Awakening in Darkness. This album is already out. The revised CD version of the album has just come out again, and the vinyl version will also be coming out. So, for people who want to buy this album, which I think is Espectrum's most emblematic album Awakening in Darkness, it will also be available on vinyl very soon. That's kind of the news we have right now, and now we're starting over with compositions for What will be new productions. Let's just say I generally don't leave much time without composing; I dedicate myself more to composing music than playing. Then an album comes out and we're already composing new songs and rehearsing them and so on.

Andrea: How would you like Espectrum to be remembered in the future? What legacy do you want to leave with the band?

Allan: Well, that's a very cool word, very brutal. A good question. The most important legacy I think the band can leave is an honest band with impeccable work, a band that has worked honestly throughout its musical career to also leave a very important mark on metal, black metal in Colombia, but above all, to manage the situation that we are a totally honest band. Serious, hardworking, eh, to give that push to the new generations who want to delve into the world of metal, especially metal, black metal, because this isn't a fad, this isn't a game, it 's not a trend, it's not a cliché, it's not just a hobby, it's a whole life's career, it's all a part of the deepest part of the philosophical being that becomes music, and that experience has to be carried until the day of death. I mean, working for music, I think, for me, is the most important thing in my life. So, I think that's the most concrete word, to leave a mark that the band is a band totally honest to its principles.

Andrea: Well, I have a bonus question, one last question. What non-musical influences do you have, like books, philosophy, spirituality? I always like to ask that at the end of interviews. Would you like to recommend anything to the people in Metal Detector?

Allan: Well, I think everyone should look for what truly attracts them, what absorbs them. Well, I've read countless books, occult books, novels, philosophical books, but I think each person has to delve into and search, above all, for what truly excites them and what they feel from the depths of their being. There's a book I really like, which in fact isn't even very, very, uh, has nothing to do with the occult or anything like that, which is from the Marquis of Sade called The Misfortunes of Virtue, and I think The Misfortunes of... Excuse me? Of Virtue is great. Perfect. So, then I think that on that side, uh, before recommending any situation, well, I'm practically recommending that one, but before recommending more, I would think that each person has to investigate and inquire, especially from the depths of their being, what attracts them the most as a person and how to exploit that. And from there you can branch out into many branches of literature or philosophy.

Andrea: Okay, I think I'm done with all the questions I had. Uh, is there anything else you'd like to include in this interview, "Band News?"

Allan: Well, what can I say? No, maybe mention the albums we've released.

Andrea: Okay. I can, uh, include them, write them down in the list. I don't have them handy right now, sorry, but I can include them in the list in the YouTube description.. And I can add links to them too.. Yeah, I can add links. I think you can easily find them that way on YouTube, right?

Allan: Yeah, in fact, we don't have all the albums or even the full albums on YouTube. So far, let's just say I'm just starting out with ways of getting music onto social media, because it's not something that really catches my attention either, including the albums on platforms or anything like that, because I'm a firm believer that people should have the physical material, not listen to it online. Mm. So, not all the albums are there, but we can mention them because, for example, on the metal archive page there is the entire discography of the band and everything they've done. There's, uh, the demo that came out in 2010, which is the Under the Shadows , then Awakening in darkness which I mentioned earlier, which is the reissue. There's an album called Night of Endless Rituals from 2018. there's Oculta Entropia Mística from 2020, two, I think, something like that, I don't even remember anymore. Yeah, the new album we just released called The Essence of Darkness and from there, well, compilations, reviews of albums from other countries, a split we have with a Norwegian band called Mor on vinyl, Well, there are a lot of things out there so that when people get the courage, they can acquire them. Of course. Although many things are already sold out, but oh well. Yes.

Andrea: Well, I'm very happy to have had this conversation with you because it's like absorbing all this knowledge and sharing it with the fans. I know there must be fans all over the world who suddenly see this video and I hope it reaches all those people and, well, guys, congratulations. Any other questions for me?

Allan: Uh, no, rather instead of a question, I want to thank you again for the invitation, for the amazing management you're doing now, which, you know very well that, uh, this part is very important. Also, the media part, the dissemination part, the communication part is extremely important for all this to be achieved and for the bands, obviously, uh, to continue emerging and growing. Okay. Well, thank you very much. I think that 's all for today, and I think that would be it for today. Thank you so much, Alan, for your time. To you, woman, thank you so much for everything, and I hope to see you again in these videos. And well, someday when you come to Colombia, we'll be waiting for you here with open arms.

Andrea: Okay. Yes, I do have to go. I'm almost there, but I'm going to go. I think I'll go next year. I miss the energy of the shows in Colombia. It's different from here.

Allan: Yes, of course.

Andrea: Yes. At shows in Colombia, people go crazy. Here, people are kind of used to it, I don't know what's going on. The scene is different.

Allan: Yes, it's something like what I was telling you about right now, when we're doing shows, for example, when we do a show, it's the show, right? It's not a band playing there, but rather doing, I mean, expressing absolutely everything. Here, it's not a band where you just stay there playing, doing, no. We say we're going to demonize people so they'll enjoy it, because otherwise it's not worth presenting.

Andrea: Okay, I like that word.

Allan: Okay, thank you very much then, and we'll talk.

Andrea: Okay, take care of yourself.

Allan: Okay, take care of yourself.

Discography: Check Metal archives