Die slow in pain as you motionlessly sink in DEATH DOOM lava riffs and lurching rhythms from Ataul… We caught up with MG and Vic from their remote location with 9 questions for the THC Zine website.
THC: Ataul’s brand of doom isn’t influenced by the typical stoner, sludge, or common doom, instead more in common with funeral doom and 90s death and doom death. What were your inspirations/influences when you started the band?
MG: First, Salutes to THC zine! Most of the early 90s Death Metal bands inspired us to play. Disembowelment, Cianide, Rippikuolu, Asphyx, Goatlord, Necro Schizma & Thergothon, and then so on.-
Dawn of Cataclysm is immortalized on vinyl, how did you get in contact with Garapata’s Blood Records?
MG: The label contacted us sometime after demo 2013 was released. Who was by then interested after the release of DOC on CDs on several labels, the vinyl version came by 2021.
Ataul has released several recordings on the analog format of vinyl and cassettes, what are your thoughts regarding your releases on both of these formats? Do you guys collect vinyl and cassettes and what can you say about these analog mediums?
MG: Physical formats is still a must have. Nothing can beat the satifaction you get when spinning a cassette or vinyl while staring at artworks, reading liner notes and lyrics. We still do collect analog formats in this digital world.
Your releases always have killer artwork to go along with the lethal dirge death sounds, tell us about the artists you’ve worked with on your releases and the themes and inspirations behind your artwork…
MG: The cd album art on the Dawn of Cataclysm was done by Aaron (Manong zine), and from then on everything done by Elmar (Eam XI), which doesn’t disappoint with really killer artworks. The Vinyl artwork was done by Juanjo Castellano (Spain) which is also notable for doing tons of great artworks worldwide.
You’ve done split releases with Gravewurm, Xhalyash, & Suicidal. Can you tell us more about these releases, how did you get in contact with these bands and how do you choose which bands to do split releases with?
MG: I did made contact with Kevin and offered a split release which he didn’t hesitate. A really great guy and an honor to have a split with a veteran like Gravewurm.
About the split with 2 Brunei bands, the label from Brunei offered a CD and tape version. Also, an honor to participate in the said split.
Ataul has played in remote metal areas such as Bicol and Davao. How was your experience playing in those cities and their metal scenes compared to Manila and Quezon City?
MG: More attendees and more support from Davao, Bicol, and also CDO rather than the Metro.
Do all or the majority of members still live in Laguna/Anugal, does that mystickal place have an influence or inspiration to your music and lyrics?
MG: Vic and Nonong are still in Laguna. I spent most of my Childhood and adult life in Los Banos for almost 4 decades, I think.
I moved to Batangas because of my family. I write lyrics based on almost every setting, but the isolation and mountainous regions of Laguna is also an inspiration.
Ataul have been known to sometimes play with Vic’s other bands Pathogen and Rabies, which share members with your band, how does Vic manage to play in three completely different bands while having enough energy to play all three sets in one night?
MG: I think it did happen 4-5 times.
VIC: I don’t know, maybe because drumming makes me stronger, I feel like when I’m drumming, I’m getting more of a workout than going to the gym.
And when three bands play together at one gig, I don’t really have any preparation or anything, I just make sure I don’t overexert myself a few days before the event.
What are your thoughts on the upcoming Sex Messiah show and lineup this June 7?
MG: Looking forward for those noise projects on the bill. Also expecting to get my neck sore after Sex Messiah’s set!
Towards Harmonious Civilization Zine 
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