The origin story of PARABELLUM is rooted in high school, when a group of teenagers discovered their shared love of thrash metal and decided to just get started.

“We founded PARABELLUM in high school with nothing more than our love for thrash metal and the urge to play loud and fast,” explains Emre.

The first concerts took place in garages, living rooms, and on small stages, where the band transformed their raw energy into consistent songwriting. When the opportunity came to record their debut album The Iron Curtain, they seized it spontaneously:

“On this album we wanted to capture who we were in that moment – raw, aggressive, and hungry.”

The creative output didn’t stop: less than a year later, the second album Behold A Pale Horse was already on the way. Emre describes the process as a mix of early material and relentless work:

“Some riffs go back to the first album, but the truth is, we just don’t slow down. We’re always writing and rehearsing, and once songs are finished, we don’t want to just let them sit.”

Following the momentum of The Iron Curtain, it was clear: the fire was burning, and the band took the chance to strike again. For Behold A Pale Horse, PARABELLUM once again worked with Tom Jimenez at Audio Edge Recordings Studio. Emre recounts the ambition to take everything to the next level:

“Faster tempos, heavier riffs, and more depth in the atmosphere.”

The album title has a special meaning, referring to the biblical Book of Revelation:
“The pale horse represents death and symbolizes the inevitable collapse that follows. It fits the dark, apocalyptic vision that runs through the album.”

A special highlight of the album is the Sepultura cover Territory. Emre explains their choice with admiration for the legends:

“Sepultura was one of our biggest inspirations. Even decades later, the song still feels relevant and powerful. Its themes of borders and conflict fit perfectly with the ideas we explore in our own music.” The band also values the energy of performing it live:

“It’s aggressive, groovy, and timeless.”

According to Emre, the new album’s lyrics depict a world on the verge of collapse:

“The lyrics reflect a world breaking under the pressure of corruption, war, division, and destruction. We don’t offer solutions – we channel the chaos and frustration we see all around us. Each song is like a snapshot of a society at boiling point, with the music as its uncompromising soundtrack.”

So far, PARABELLUM has chosen to go their own way with releases, without a label:
“Some labels have shown interest, but for now we like the independence. This way we have full control over our sound, our release schedule, and how we connect with fans,” Emre emphasizes. Should the right offer come along, they’d be open to talks, but currently the band prefers to build their foundation on their own terms.

A particularly defining experience was their performance at the historic Folsom Prison – a place forever tied to Johnny Cash’s legendary concert.

“That show was surreal. Through local contacts we had the chance to bring our music into Folsom Prison, and we just couldn’t say no.” The performance was deeply moving for the band:
“Bringing thrash metal into those walls is something we’ll never forget.”

Although the second album has only just been released, PARABELLUM is already working on their third record:
“We already have several songs nearly finished. The writing process hasn’t slowed, and we’re very excited to see where it leads.”

The plan: back to the studio in the fall, with the next release scheduled for spring 2026.