Finix is a dynamic Speed/Heavy Metal band originating from the thriving New York City music scene. The quintet skillfully merges the raw essence of old school, traditional metal with the invigorating spirit of the new wave of British heavy metal. With their powerful sound and captivating stage presence, Finix has been making their presence felt in the local NYC metal circuit, igniting stages at prominent venues like the Kingsland, the Wild Goose, Lucky 13 Saloon, TV Eye, Rams American Pub, and Dingbatz.
During a recent encounter, we had the opportunity to engage in a brief yet insightful conversation with the band.
It’s refreshing to see a young and upcoming band stay true to old school heavy metal. What attracts you guys to that era?
The band can probably collectively agree that the 80s was the best era for Heavy Metal. It's as simple as that, really. There's Heavy Music, and then there's Heavy Metal, and in the 80s, it was METAL! We're determined to keep that style alive. Fortunately, the New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal (NWOTHM) movement is thriving, bringing excitement back with its melodies and harmonies, particularly on the guitar. Our goal is to recreate that same exhilaration for our listeners.
What are some of your influences and how do you differentiate yourselves from your idols?
We strive to draw inspiration from our influences while also forging our own unique sound. The killer harmonies and overall shredding of bands like Skullfist undeniably inspire and influence our songwriting, particularly for both guitarists. Additionally, our dual guitar attack pays homage to the legendary Judas Priest. When it comes to vocalists, our favorites include iconic singers such as Rob Halford and Eric Adams, as well as newer talents like Pauly from Stallion fame and Jean-Pierre from Traveler. We also cannot overlook the classic bands from the West Coast, East Coast, and the Teutonic scene of the Eighties, as they have left an indelible mark on our musical journey.
How is the current NYC metal scene? What are the challenges and the opportunities you guys are facing?
The current local music scene seems to be comprised of multiple scenes, none of which Finix really belongs to. While we have friends in Death and Black Metal bands, the scene's preference nowadays leans towards more Extreme bands. However, we do receive recognition for representing the old school sound, which is appreciated. It's worth noting that there is a vibrant Punk/Metal crossover thriving within the Latino community, and given our Latin American roots, we hope to gradually win over some of those fans in due time.
What do you think sets your band apart from other bands in the local scene?
The unique aspect of our band is that we are among the few playing Heavy Speed with an old-school touch. When you listen to our songs, aside from the modern production, you would feel like you're transported back to the mid-eighties rather than being in 2023. Currently, we stand alone in this style, but we wouldn't mind another band similar to us to book shows, tour together, and represent the spirit of NYC Steel.
How do you find a balance between staying true to your musical roots and experimenting with new sounds or styles?
As musicians, we are always seeking to grow, and it's true that some of the members do listen to other genres outside of Metal. This exposure to diverse music does have an influence on our songwriting process. However, it never detracts from our commitment to playing True Metal, which remains our core focus.
You guys have four singles under your belt, when will we see a full length album or even an EP?
We are excited to share that we will soon be recording a couple of new singles with Mike Sabatini of Attacker, marking our first collaboration. If all goes according to plan, we hope to release these tracks on a 7-inch vinyl through the independent label Revolt Vinyl based in Los Angeles, in just a few months' time. As summer comes to an end, we anticipate returning to our original engineer, David Alexander of Level Up Studios, to commence work on our full-length album. Our aim is to have it ready for release sometime next year. It's worth mentioning that we already have an EP called "Soaring Skies," which features our current singles. This EP was made possible with the support of our ally at Unchained Tapes in Philadelphia. Feel free to check them out! We have been mailing copies all across the country, with one even reaching Canada.
When is your next gig?
Our next gig will be July 29 at Lucky 13 Saloon in Brooklyn opening up for NJ Thrashers Paralysis alongside fellow brothers in arms Electrocutioner, Wretched Dominion, Festergore, and Antimony. We hope to catch you all there!
Finix is made up of Miguelito Maldonado on guitar and back-up vocals, Angel Valencia on guitar, Steffy Rodriguez on bass, Bernard Smilonovic on drums and Christian Galindo as the lead vocalist.
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