Forged in War, Fueled by Myth: Sergio Lunático Speaks about the Aztec Thrash Awakening of COSMIC JAGUAR

COSMIC JAGUAR Sergio Lunático Interview - COVER PHOTO

From the war-torn heart of Ukraine rises COSMIC JAGUAR, a band as fearless as they are imaginative. With a sonic arsenal built on technical thrash, avant-garde experimentation, and death metal’s brutal force, they craft music that doesn’t just hit hard—it transports. At the helm is vocalist-bassist Sergio Lunático, who guides the band’s creative path through mythic Aztec themes and ferocious sonic landscapes. Their latest album is a bold continuation of their unique vision, laced with historical depth and unwavering energy.

Forged during times of uncertainty and chaos, COSMIC JAGUAR‘s music is a product of urgency, intellect, and sheer force of will. Their Aztec-inspired concept is not a gimmick but a deeply researched and spiritually resonant foundation that sets them apart in the world of extreme metal. The new record builds on this legacy, with unpredictable song structures, gripping visuals, and themes pulled straight from ancient gods and cosmic lore.

We spoke with Sergio Lunático to dive deeper into the band’s origin, the making of the new record, and what lies ahead for their genre-defying vision.

INFRARED MAG: Thanks for joining us! For those unfamiliar with COSMIC JAGUAR, can you tell us about your origin story and what inspired you to merge Aztec themes with extreme metal?

COSMIC JAGUAR: The band COSMIC JAGUAR was formed very spontaneously during the most chaotic time of the war in April 2022. We didn’t have any plans to record an album or anything, because we didn’t know what was going to happen tomorrow, the situation was very dangerous, so we rehearsed as much as possible. In the end, we composed and recorded a full album in 4 months from scratch! I sometimes can’t believe how it all happened so fast! I think that’s the charm of the album “The Legacy Of The Aztecs”! I also spontaneously became a vocalist, which I’ve almost never done before, as I’m just a basic bass player! But as they say: I see a purpose, but I do not see obstacles.

INFRARED MAG: Your new album delivers a powerful blend of technical thrash, death, and avant-garde elements. What was the creative vision going into this record?

COSMIC JAGUAR: There are so many different elements of styles of music in our music, we just don’t have a frame of reference—we like to break rules and trends. So on the album you can hear thrash, death, black, funk, hard rock, grindcore, flamenco. On this record we wanted to reach a new level of composition and also production quality, because our debut album sounds very raw. Also, we have a new drummer, Alejo Bárbaro—thanks to him, we reached a new level of madness. We just followed our emotions and feelings when we created El Era del Jaguar. I think we did it!

INFRARED MAG: Aztec mythology plays a huge role in your lyrical themes. What draws you to these stories and how do they connect with the chaos and power of your music?

COSMIC JAGUAR: We didn’t want to be another primitive and dull thrash band that sings about booze, sex, zombies, partying, social problems and other hackneyed topics. So I decided that our band needed something unusual and deep. As I love the history of the ancient world, my choice fell on the culture and mythology of the Aztecs. As far as I remember, there are almost no thrash bands that use this theme, except for a couple of local bands in Mexico. The funny thing is that a lot of people think that we are a Mexican band, because according to them we have done a good job of conveying the spirit and atmosphere of the Aztecs. And when they find out that we are from Ukraine, they have a cognitive dissonance—in a good way! I read a lot of different articles and books and find interesting information in them that inspires me with the concept. I also dream of going to Mexico and seeing everything with my own eyes—and I think I will in the coming years!

INFRARED MAG: The musical structure of your songs is often unpredictable and experimental. How do you approach songwriting from a technical and emotional perspective?

COSMIC JAGUAR: We don’t have rules for songwriting—we just do it intuitively! We try to do something unique and crazy, because that’s what makes us unique. We jokingly call our song structures “psychological thriller” because it’s never clear how our song will end. When I create a riff, I try to develop it further, and for that I think in my head what I would like to hear next. Based on that, I continue to compose the song and make an arrangement for it. It’s hard to describe in words because it’s all done on a subconscious level.

INFRARED MAG: Can you break down some of the lyrical and musical concepts behind key tracks on this album?

COSMIC JAGUAR:

God Of Sun And War – Huitzilopochtli, Aztec sun and war god, one of the two principal deities of Aztec religion, often represented in art as either a hummingbird or an eagle.
Eight Lord Of Lights – In Aztec mythology, Tepeyollotl was the god of darkened caves, earthquakes, echoes and jaguars. He is the god of the Eighth Hour of the Night.
Solar Logos – In Mesoamerican culture, Tonatiuh is an Aztec sun deity of the daytime sky who rules the cardinal direction of east.
Ashes in Eyes – Ixnextli (“Ashes in Eyes”), an aspect of Xochiquetzal. She’s always depicted alongside Huehuecoyotl, said to have been her lover. The story has strong parallels to the biblical tale of Eve.
Obsidian Mirror – Refers to the obsidian mirror used by the Aztec deity Tezcatlipoca. He is the lord of the night and its creatures—especially jaguars—and often depicted as one.
Decapitated Lunar Goddess – Refers to Coyolxauhqui and other lunar goddesses, linking Aztec astronomy and rituals to political and seasonal transitions.
The Shorn Ones – An elite order of Aztec warriors known for their bravery and military leadership.
La Noche Triste – “The Sad Night,” an event during the Spanish conquest where Hernán Cortés and his army were driven from Tenochtitlan.

INFRARED MAG: The video for your latest single “The Northern Underworld” is visually gripping. How did you translate your sound into the visuals, and what do you want fans to take away from it?

COSMIC JAGUAR: We wanted fans to immerse themselves in our atmosphere and feel the Aztec spirit! I think we got it right for our fans! Visuals are an important part of our concept.

INFRARED MAG: How has being a metal band in Ukraine shaped your sound, energy, or outlook on creating music in today’s world?

COSMIC JAGUAR: We’ve been influenced by a tough, harsh, and complex life—and we carry all that into our music. It inspires us. Life in Ukraine was not sweet even before the war, and now it is very gloomy.

INFRARED MAG: There’s a sense of ritual and ceremony in your music. Do you incorporate any specific spiritual or symbolic elements into your writing or performances?

COSMIC JAGUAR: On the studio recordings you can hear real Aztec folk instruments. For us, they were recorded by Mazatecpatl from Cemican, a native Mexican. Who better than him to convey this atmosphere in the brass instruments on our album? In some songs, we deliberately try to put the listeners in a trance, so that they could feel something otherworldly.

INFRARED MAG: How do you balance complexity and aggression in your music without losing emotional impact?

COSMIC JAGUAR: Like I said earlier, we do it all on a subconscious level. We have found our style of thinking and we are developing it, so we know how to catch this balance between all these parameters.

INFRARED MAG: Who are some of your biggest musical or philosophical influences outside of metal?

COSMIC JAGUAR: It’s Razumizm and Stoicism—these forms of philosophy help me keep myself adequate and not make fatal mistakes in the most difficult times of life. They are my life safeguards against the harsh world!

INFRARED MAG: What are your future plans—any upcoming shows, videos, or releases we should look out for?

COSMIC JAGUAR: While I’m busy with other projects at the moment, COSMIC JAGUAR is on a bit of a holiday. But I’m still slowly composing material for future releases. Maybe in the future we will surprise you with something new and crazy!

INFRARED MAG: Finally, what message do you want fans to walk away with after experiencing your latest album?

COSMIC JAGUAR: I want the fans after our album not to be afraid to listen to more experimental and complex music with an otherworldly atmosphere. You should develop your musical taste, not degrade on boring and monotonous music! Stay tuned for more news!

With Sergio Lunático at the helm, COSMIC JAGUAR delivers more than just music—they deliver an experience. Their powerful blend of historical reverence, technical ambition, and raw emotional truth transforms every track into a cultural and musical artifact. In a world often flooded with generic formulas, COSMIC JAGUAR rises with authenticity, knowledge, and fire.

If you’re searching for a band that challenges the genre while paying homage to ancient myth and cultural roots, look no further than COSMIC JAGUAR. Their work isn’t just a listen—it’s a journey.