Recently, legendary Hirax vocalist Katon W. De Pena, never a man of few words (or interesting stories), was kind enough to speak with us regarding both his adventurous past and his opportunity-filled future...

Todd: How was Hirax originally formed?

Katon W. De Pena: “I started it in 1984. There were a handful of other local bands...it was cool because we were all friends...like Dark Angel, Exodus, Megadeth and Slayer...and some of the earlier L.A.-based bands like Armored Saint and Savage Grace...that were doing this type of music. We started out doing the kind of music that a young Heavy Metal fan would love doin’, ya know? I got the original line-up together...and we played all of the local clubs in L.A. and built up a pretty impressive following...especially considering how, back in those days, things were really unorganized, ya know? ...We released a four track demo tape...as soon as we did that, things really started to take off. We developed a really good underground following all over the world. One that continues to this day.”

Todd: You’ve obviously experience a lot of line-up changes over the years. Has there been one common factor behind these changes?

Katon: “Basically, it’s because of the touring. It’s one thing to record albums, but when you get out on the road, you really see who can and who can’t do it. That’s when a lot of musicians end up falling off the wagon, so to speak. ...It’s just too hard, especially if you’re in an underground band, doin’ the real shit... In some countries, it varies. In Europe, there are a lot of different ways a band can go out on the road and survive, ya know? A lot of musicians can’t do it after a while...they gotta keep their apartments and houses and goin’ out on the road ain’t payin’ the bills. You end up losing more musicians than you would like to. Bands that keep their original line-ups...there is a lot to be said right there. ...Over the years, I’ve gotten so much support from our fans, that I just refuse to give up. It means a lot to me that it means a lot to them, ya know? I feel very honored and lucky...what we’ve done in the last year alone...it’s just insane...the following that we have.”

Todd: Have you found it difficult to find replacement musicians that you feel are capable performing to your standards?

Katon: “...That’s a tricky question...it’s gotten a little easier because the band’s name is more established now than it was in the early days. Finding guys that play true Metal is really hard... ...If they’re really into true Metal...Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, early English bands like Diamond Head... ...I don’t know, man...it’s just too much for me to grasp all at one time, this Metal thing. Finding guys that can really play true Metal is hard because this music is kind of like our religion. ...We’re not just guys that are in a Heavy Metal band. We’re also fans of Heavy Metal music. It’s like we’re carrying the torch, just looking for the other guys that are carrying the torch, too. The guys that I have in the band right know...Glenn Rogers, Angelo Espino, Dave Watson and Jorge Iacobellis...they are all Heavy Metal musicians that live, eat, breath and shit this stuff, ya know? I’m just lucky that I have them... ...I’ve been pretty lucky to have had good musicians to work with over the years. It’s just something that’s in my blood...I can just sort of smell out good musicians.”

Todd: I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised to see Angelo back in action, so to speak...

Katon: “...He’s been a good addition to the band. He’s the one in the band that has a lot of heart. He’s an emotional player. You can’t really tell that because we play very loud and heavy and are very serious about what we play, but he’s one of the guys...who is the heart of the band...he’s very emotional. He brings another element into the band. The other guys...veteran musicians who play Thrash Metal...there is a difference...in having guys that can play the classics as well as the new music. ...The difference is that there was a lot more talent in the old school Metal...no matter what anybody says.”

Todd: There seems to have been a lot more “natural” talent...

Katon: “Yeah...I’d much rather sit down...even if it’s classical Heavy Metal like Yngwie Malsteen or Uli Jon Roth and early Scorpions shit...I’d much rather listen to that than any of the new Metal shit. That‘s what separates the little boys from the big men. ...I think that’s why you are seeing so many people gravitate towards the real Metal shit, ya know?”

Todd: It’s really nice to see it having a renaissance...

Katon: “I have to agree with you one hundred percent on that. It just reaffirms what all of us have know for so long.”

Todd: Musically, what are your influences?

Katon: “...I truly believe that everyone is put on this planet for a specific purpose. Everyone has something that they feel they should be offering. I’ve always just felt that I should try to be myself. Obviously, I’ve got some of the same influences that everybody has...I don’t care who they are, but I still feel I should try to be myself. ...I grew up on all of the classic Metal stuff, so that is part of me as well, ya know? ...Rob Halford...all of the other shit aside...I mean everyone’s personal preferences are their personal preferences...I have no problem with what he’s all about...he’s an incredible singer...Halford definitely...early Deep Purple...Ian Gillan...AC/DC...Thin Lizzy...I love Motorhead...they are one of my all-time favorite bands...Venom...just all of the real shit...”

Todd: What was the inspiration behind the formation of Black Devil Records?

Katon: “...The adage that we’ve always operated under is that you still gotta do it yourself. It’s cool when you get bigger, but when that happens, there’s even more to do, more to deal with. ...You need to be self-sufficient, especially now with the internet...you can start a company for fairly cheap...it doesn’t take millions of dollars... It does help to have die-hard fans that buy your records and promote your music. That is one way that we are really lucky. ...To this day, we still have a very die-hard audience that buys our records and supports us by buying t-shirts and shit. ...It’s really incredible to go out on the road and see that shit, ya know? Black Devil Records was started by my girlfriend Ana and I...she was really the one that kicked me in the ass and said we really should do this. She was reading all of the letters that were coming in from around the world and she just couldn’t believe it. ...I didn’t really realize how important it was to carry on when you have an audience that really cares about you. That’s the whole deal...before we knew it, things were taking off faster and faster... ...Basically, Black Devil Records is the home base for Hirax and we deal with all of the other outside business people that are involved with us such as Century Media Records, who have just contacted us, wanting to distribute The New Age Of Terror world-wide. ...It’s great that we are still able to work with people like that, that we’re still able to remain in contact with people that we’ve met over the years... ...All of this was started by Black Devil Records...we work really hard to try and keep up with all of the mail, but to be honest with you, it’s just really insane to try and keep up with all of the mail...it’s kind like a twenty four/seven job, ya know? We really do care, but it take so much damn time, it’s unbelievable.”

Todd: I can only imagine...

Katon: “...Yeah...plus, we do all of our own mail order for the t-shirts and the records...we’re a band and we’re involved in every aspect of it, ya know? It’s a lot of work, but we don’t mind doin’ it, ya know? We like to make sure the quality of what people get from us remains very high.”

Todd: I noticed that you are also distributing the Phantasm album...

Katon: “(Laughs) that’s crazy, man. That’s one of those records that I am just proud to have been a part of. That record, to this day, still sells consistently through our website and our distribution. It’s amazing when we go out on the road to even see that thing in record stores. Basically, it’s the Phantasm demo along with a live concert that we did while we were on tour with Nuclear Assault. We toured with them one time and there are a lot of concerts that we did with them that are really incredible. That record...it’s unbelievable that more and more people keep finding out about it...it’s really, really cool.”

Todd: I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy...

Katon: “...It’s great...it’s got Ron McGovney, the original bassist for Metallica on it, plus it’s got (legendary drummer) Gene Hoglan, who has been with everybody...Death, Morbid Angel, Strapping Young Lad, Testament...he’s been all over the place, but he’s done good work. To do that record was so great...it’s got new life...we see more and more new orders for it all the time. ...It’s really, really cool...we recorded the live material in Arizona, which is a really cool Heavy Metal area. When we tour the U.S., we always like to go there. In fact, we’ll be co-headlining a Heavy Metal fest there this year...in April we will be playing the Metal Devastation festival...”

Todd: Beyond that, what are your current touring plans?

Katon: “Right now, we are booking a lot of tour dates...stuff is getting added as we speak. We’re gonna be doing Mexico this year, probably South America...the whole thing, ya know? We’re definitely gonna be going across the border. We’ll also be doing a lot of U.S. touring as well...a lot of East Coast dates, which is someplace we’ve never been...and it’s about time, too...a lot of the mail we get comes from the New York/New Jersey area, so we need to get out there. We’ll be going back to Europe obviously...Europe has always been one of the places we go, but this year, we’d like to get back up to Sweden, Norway and Finland...just a lot of touring. In 2005, we’re going to be on the road a lot, but we’re also going to start working on a new album as well. It’s so much planning...that’s what blows me away...I can’t believe how much planning goes into everything that we do.”

Todd: Have you found it difficult to handle?

Katon: “...It’s just so big...I can hardly believe it... We like to stay involved as long as we can. We’ve always been one of those bands that likes to talk to the fans. We go out and hang out...it’s cool...I think it’s one of the things that’s helped us to stay in touch with our audience. Over the years, we’ve really tried to stay grounded and in touch with the fan base that we have. People let you know what they think, ya know? It’s not a bad thing.”

Todd: Is there any truth to the rumor that you were once seriously considered as a replacement for Paul Ballof in Exodus?

Katon: “Yeah...ya know, it’s funny. It’s a different style, but I know those guys so well...over the years, playing with them...we’ve crossed paths...even this year we ran into them in Europe...we’re like brothers. ...I’m totally glad everything has worked out the way it has. It’s kind of a bummer...you just wish someone would stay there with them...either (former vocalist Steve) Zetro (Souza) or somebody else...they’ve had so many problems. I think the main thing is that I thought Paul was perfect for Exodus and I think I am perfect for Hirax, ya know?

Todd: I would have to agree...

Katon: “...It’s come up quite a few times...which is a total honor, but I’m glad I decided to stay in Hirax.”

Todd: It’s admirable that you’ve stuck it out this long...

Katon: “Yeah...I could have gone on and worked with a lot of other bands... But, one of the things that I like about working with Hirax is that it’s my baby...it’s my life and I’m totally proud of it. I keep going and that shows that I still have the hunger for it, ya know? Now, there’s just a lot more stuff goin’ on. It’s amazing to me to see all the things that have gone on over the years. I’m really proud of this whole thing, ya know?”

Todd: In retrospect, how do you feel The New Age Of Terror compares with your previous recordings?

Katon: “...It’s obviously a change, but not really. ...The structures are a lot wider and thicker...what I mean is that the compositions themselves are a lot longer. There’s a lot more stuff going on. Don’t get me wrong, I’m totally proud of everything that we’ve done over the years...I just feel that we’ve reached over the fence...we put a lot more work into what we do now. By the time we get to the next record, people will totally understand what we are doing. ...Like I said, our earlier records like Hate, Fear And Power are classics and I am very proud of them, but I am really proud of the direction that we are going in...remembering our roots and not forgetting where we came from...but at the same time pushing the envelope.”

Todd: It does seem as if you are trying to expand your sound...

Katon: “...There are songs on there like “Unleash The Dogs Of War” and even the title track that show a lot more complexity. But we still know how to keep it heavy and crush people there’s no doubt about that. We still like to play a hundred miles and hour at time, too. It’s a good combination of styles. I think we’ve gotten better...the songwriting has gotten better. Obviously, with a lot of bands, you earlier stuff is always going to be considered some of your best work. I think we are continuing on in a good fashion...we haven’t lightened up or anything. We know what we are doing, so as long as we keep doing things with the Hirax name on it, things will still be Extreme Metal.”

Todd: What was the main motivation behind the re-formation of the group?

Katon: “When we weren’t playing...I've always stayed involved in music. When we weren't playing as a band, I was till working behind the scenes. I worked a labels, I worked at record stores, I put on concerts...which got me more back into it because I learned so much more by being behind the scenes. It made it easier to me the front man in a band, ya know? I was gone for thirteen or fourteen years, but in that time, we still had a lot of people writing to us. I couldn’t believe that people were still writing to us asking when we were going to put out a new album. For the longest time, I said I wasn’t going to do that, but I ended up eating my words because I put the band back together. But I’m glad I did, ya know? It’s been a great, great ride...it’s amazing to me that to some people, we’re still so new, ya know? ...Whether they discovered us right now, or it the old days, that’s totally cool, ya know?”

Todd: Did you initially find it difficult to get things started?

Katon: “It’s funny...it’s always been difficult, ya know? ...Once you’ve been doin’ it for a while, you sort of get jaded because you’ve done it so many times. ...I think it’s more difficult when you wanna take your band someplace that you haven’t already been... ...It’s one thing to be a pretty well-known underground band...and we’re totally proud of that...but it’s another thing when you start being able to play with bands that you never thought you’d play with... ...When you are able to play concerts with bands like Judas Priest, the Scorpions, Twisted Sister and Motorhead...just major bands, you also want to do that as well. ...I think if Hirax can keep doing what we’ve always been doing and never sell out...and then still play with some of those bands, that would be a great accomplishment. We‘re trying to never sell out and put out powerful records. I think we’re doing a pretty good job...”

Todd: At this point, with all things considered, do you have any regrets?

Katon: “...I probably never would have signed a single record contract if I could have done it all myself, especially when I didn’t know anything about the recording business. ...I think the safest thing about signing with any record label...is that being in band is already hard enough without having to sell records, get them out to the distributors, set up promos... ...Having the time to do all of that and still go back out on the road and set up the tour dates...if I could do it all myself, I would...but I’ll be honest....you really need the help of a record label. There’s just so much stuff that needs to be done.”

Todd: What inspired the name Hirax?

Katon: “It’s an interesting thing because every band knows how it feels to try to think up a name. ...I actually found on a bathroom wall...it was on some wallpaper. ...What’s great is that we’ve made it our own name...when people hear the name Hirax, they think of the band. ...It’s actually a furry beast...a little animal...they’re really incredible, but they’re only found in South Africa. ...This animal is related to the elephant, but it’s really not that big...it’s smaller than a kangaroo...and it has antlers... ...It’s a funny way to look at it, but pretty much everyone that hears the name now thinks of the band.”

Todd: Is it true that (Celtic Frost vocalist) Tom G. Warrior designed the original Hirax logo?

Katon: “...It’s true...not may people know that. The Hirax logo that we use today was designed by Tom G. Warrior from Celtic Frost and Hellhammer. ...We’ve known him for years...we haven’t actually been in contact with him for quite some time, but back in the early days of Celtic Frost and Hellhammer...especially Hellhammer...we were always pen pals and good friends. ...He wanted to design the logo... When he came up with one, he sent it to us and it was perfect. We’ve been using it ever since.”

The New Age Of Terror (2004)

Barrage Of Noise (EP) (2001)

El Diablo Negro (EP) (2000)

Not Dead Yet (1987)

Blasted In Bangkok (Demo) (1987)

Hate, Fear And Power (EP) (1986)

Raging Violence (1985)

hirax.org