Robert Gutierrez Interview

Interview with Robert Gutierrez of Ultimatum

Ultimatum was formed in 1992 by Robert Gutierrez. The interview that follows is with Robert, who is one of the lead/rhythm guitarists of Ultimatum. Read on as we discuss the latest album "Puppet of Destruction."

UMM: The lyrics to the song "Puppet of Destruction" were co-written by you and Scott. Tell me about the song and how you two came up with the concept and the title for "Puppet of Destruction."

Robert: "Puppet of Destruction" was originally written by me, then I gave it to Scott to edit, to fit the format of the music. We already had some of the music patterened out so Scott would add a line here or take out a word there; just basically molding the music and the lyrics together. I got the idea for the song after receiving a lot of hate mail from "professed" Satanists and black metal bands. All they would say, mostly, was how we will suffer with our God under the rule of Satan or that we we are brainwashed hypocrites. They would also call us a bunch of names, using profanity and just basically being idiots. I thought to myself, "Dear Lord, these guys really believe that their god has given them all this power and freedom that they can’t even see past their hate to realize that they’re just a puppet being used by him. True freedom comes through knowing Jesus Christ and these black metal bands are made the fool. That is the basics of the song "Puppet of Destruction." The cover concept goes along with that and was created by Scott, which I might add, contrary to what some reviewers have said, was done long before BRUCE DICKENSON’s album. His just came out before ours did. (due to a delay because of our switch from Morphine Records to Rowe Productions .)

UMM: Ultimatum’s sound, especially on "Puppet of Destruction," has been compared to MEGADETH, EXODUS, and OVERKILL. One magazine even compared you guys to SACRED WARRIOR and IRON MAIDEN. Do you think these are all fair comparisons? Are any of these bands influences on you and your writing style?

Robert: I would agree that we are influenced by MEGADETH, OVERKILL, EXODUS, and perhaps METALLICA. There are a couple of songs that do have a MAIDEN touch to them. I would disagree that we sound anything like SACRED WARRIOR. They were mostly a melodic progressive metal band much like early QUEENSRYCHE. Our sound, I think, is unique being much more aggressive and heavy, not anything SACRED WARRIOR. Two totally different styles of metal. But again, I think we have a unique sound.

UMM: Metal, especially the kind that Ultimatum plays, is not the most popular style as of late. Why doesn’t Ultimatum either adopt a more modern/ alternative approach or go for the extreme and play the more popular death/grind/ black styles of metal? I guess what I am trying to say is why do you play the style of metal you play?

Robert: Ultimatum doesn’t play modern rock or alternative music for two reasons. First, God didn't tell us to. Second, we don't play what we don't like! We're not into the latest trends in music. It would be dishonest for me, as a musician, to play a style of music just to gain populararity, knowing that deep down I can't stand it. I do like some of the modern rock bands like THIRD DAY and CANDLEBOX but I don't have any desire to play it. Most of us in the band do like a lot of the death/grind/hardcore bands like METANOIA, MOIRTIFICATION, GODFEAR, P.O.D, FRANK’S ENEMY, EXTOL, ZAO, etc. but that isn't the style we're called to do. We play what we like; popular or not; with the times or without, we play the most extreme type of music for the most extreme message. That message is "Salvation through Jesus Christ!" Just for the record if music was being served on a restaurant menu I would say, "MAKE MINE METAL!"

UMM: Ultimatum has been in a few secular zines in the past. Many of those zines, with the exception of a couple, always seem to get hung up on the blatantly Christian lyrics. It seems that this is one of the things that is holding you back from making it in that scene. I realize that Scott writes a majority of the lyrics, but why not make the lyrics more abstract, while retaining the Christian themes, so as not to offend people?

Robert: It's true that there are a lot of secular zines that could care less about our Christian lyrics; let alone care about us as a band. However what do you expect from the world anyway? I mean we are a CHRISTIAN band ! We can't expect to gain the respect of those who oppose us. Sure we have some respect from some of the secular industry but that isn't our main focus. There is a distinct difference between having a good review because of your music and having that zine or person being receptive to the message within the music. So, oh well, if that is holding us back from "making it" in that scene, so be it. Just as long as we don't lose sight of our goals and doing God's will. As far as making our lyrics more abstract, I think there is only one song that we have that the lyrics are somewhat abstract; that being the song that talks about selling out to the latest trend. (The first cut on our latest CD, " Never'') If people get offended with our Christian lyrics then maybe they should listen to some of the "trendy" bands that have watered down lyrics!

UMM: What is your favorite song on "Puppet", both lyrically and musically?

Robert: That's a hard question to answer since I like so many of them. I guess I'd have to say that lyrically "Puppet of Destruction" is one of my favorites as well as"Power". As far as musically I really get into "Never," "World of Sin" and "Gutterbox". As a whole I believe that there isn't a weak song on the album; every song has that energy that just makes you groove to it.

UMM: You and Steve Trujillo have been playing together since the 80’s. Tell me a little about Capt. Crunch and you as dual guitar players. Didn’t you play in a band called ANGELIC FORCE together that put out a project in the 80’s?

Robert: Yes, it's true Steve and I have been playing together since the late 80's. We became very good friends since we both worked together at the same place.We both had a lot in common; we liked the same kind of music; we both played guitar; it just seemed like God had put us together for a specific reason. Before that, in 1987, I was in a band called ANGELIC FORCE; our album came out in 1988 and the other guitarist, another close friend, Joe Whitford, left the band to pursue other things. So I talked to Steve about joining to take up that missing slot. I figured that since he was an excellent guitarist and since we were already friends that it would be a good move. So it was; soon, a few months later, we put out a two song demo with Steve playing with us. Not long after we broke up I had started a band called HOLY SACRIFICE. That was in late 1989. Steve was right there along with me; we lasted about a year and a half; we did a lot of gigs, though it was fun, it was also kinda sad. I found myself with no band only to start all over again. I was fortunate that John Carrol the drummer that played with me in HOLY SACRIFICE stuck with me to form Ultimatum. However, Steve didn't want to join the band at first. He wanted to take some time off; about a year. Finally after much nagging and a bribe (just kidding) he joined us. So the rest is history I guess. We have this chemistry together that I cannot find myself playing with any other guitarist this well. It would be difficult to even try. I hope I never have to.

UMM: Are any of the ANGELIC FORCE tapes still available? I heard the full length tape is pretty rare. Is it still available?

Robert: Well, at this time it isn't; it is pretty much out of circulation. If you find one, snap it up. There is a possibility that it will be available soon. As far as the 2 song demo we can still get that one to anyone who wants it . Thats the one with Steve on it. There is no J-card for it so don't expect too much. Just send $3.00 to Ultimatum.

UMM: Sean is pictured on your "Symphonic Extremities" CD and listed as your drummer but he didn’t actually do the drum work. On "Puppet of Destruction," however, his drumming has pushed your sound to the next level. How did Sean’s style affect your song writing for this CD?

Robert: Yes it's true that Sean didn't do the drumming on "Symphonic," it was done by our former drummer Mike Lynch. He did a great job playing on that album! Soon after Mike decided to depart from Ultimatum, which I might add, was in good standing. Sean auditioned for us, and over the last two years he has added the element of double bass that we didn't have before. Mike didn't have that option when he was with us, however his style is a lot different than Sean's anyhow. Sean just made us sound heavier and more technical; it really has given us a wider spectrum of progression. We can write with a lot more emphasis on double picking with the double kick to accent various highlights of each song.

UMM: Scott is a very...hmm, how should I put this, a very "unique" vocalist. He doesn’t really do the growling thing that most metal bands are doing today nor does he go for the melodic FATES WARNING/ TERAMAZE approach. I think this kind of sets you apart from many other bands. What do you think?

Robert: Well to be honest with you, I wasn't sure how Scott's vocals were going to affect the band. His vocals have matured greatly over the years and I think he's just been developing his own unique style of singing. I really like the way he sings now personally; I'm glad that he doesn’t sound like the typical death metal vocalist nor even the traditional FATE’S WARNING type vocalist! There aren't too many bands doing the style that Scott is doing now. He's been compared to Dave Mustaine; Udo from ACCEPT; and Steve Souza of the band EXODUS. However, he isn't trying to rip off any one else's style. I just felt I should say that before some magazine says that he copied someone else's vocals! It's totally his own!

UMM: How has it been working with Steve Rowe and Rowe Productions?

Robert: It's been great working with Steve Rowe thus far! His testimony just gives us so much to be thankful for. Two years ago I would never have thought I would be working with him, let alone be on his label. He's been a real inspiration to us all. Many metal extremities to Steve!

UMM: Any news yet on the possibility of Nuclear Blast picking up "Puppet of Destruction?" I heard that MORTIFICATION signed with Metal Blade, does that open any doors for other Rowe bands?

Robert: Last year there was a chance that we would be picked up by Nuclear Blast but that since has grown slim for now. I'm not sure why. There is still the chance we could be picked up by Nulear Blast Germany. Mortification did sign with Metal Blade and it does give us a chance to be picked up from them as well. It'sjust a matter of timing and how Steve Rowe puts the "bug" in their ear about us. As of now we are being distributed in the US and Canada to the Christian market and some of the secular stores through Diamante Music Group. Rowe Productions is doing the rest of the world for now.
(Nuclear Blast is now distributing the CD through their mail order catalogue.)

UMM: If you could tour with any band, of any style, secular of Christian, who would it be and why?

Robert: Well realistically I'd like to tour with MORTIFICATION. I think that it would be a great experience with them. On a more secular note it would be great if we could tour with MEGADETH. That would be a real gas! I just think that the things we could say to minister to them as well as the crowd would be awesome, not by shoving Jesus down their throats, but by being real! Plus, we could learn a lot from them as well.

UMM: If you had to spend the rest of your life on a remote island with one cartoon character, who would it be?

Robert: Betty Boop I guess ...nah just kidding! Well I don't know, there are so many that I like I guess it would have to be Mighty Mouse because with any of the Loony Toons characters I'd laugh myself to death. But with Mighty Mouse he could just fly my butt out of there!