Hello Rockstars! Today’s Artist of the Week is Heavy/Thrash Metal Band Antitrust!
Here’s their story in their own words, enjoy! xoxox
VMS:
“When did you start writing and performing your music. What’s your backstory and current lineup.”
AntiTrust:
As of now, AntiTrust is:
Path Juson – Vocals
Wiljo Cruzada – Guitar
Jason Zafra – Bass
Bryce Molly – Drums
“AntiTrust officially formed in 2013. It all started when Jason (bass) connected with Wiljo (guitar) through a Filipino musicians’ Facebook group. From there, the search for a full lineup began.
Jason brought in his former bandmate, the late Joe Show, a powerful thrash metal drummer who laid the foundation for our early sound. He also recruited Paul Draven as a second guitarist, adding more depth to our live sound. After holding vocalist auditions, we brought in local singer Mhalou, whose melodic style gave our early material a different edge—still heavy and headbanging, but distinct from the sound we’d later evolve into.
Joe held the drum throne for two years before being succeeded in 2015 by Alexey Poblete, a drum prodigy who was only 14 at the time but already playing at a pro level. Paul also left the band around the same time as Joe. Around that time, we were making our mark on the local metal scene, performing at LA festivals and building our presence.
In 2016, we began work on our debut EP, Resurgence. Before tracking started, Mhalou stepped down, and Jason discovered Path through Facebook. She auditioned, crushed it, and immediately gelled with the band. Her dynamic vocal range particularly her screaming and growling marked a new chapter for AntiTrust. With Alexey’s insane precision and Path’s raw vocal power, we released “Endless Suffering” and fully stepped into a more aggressive, modern metal sound.
From there, we played shows alongside touring acts like Death Angel, Slapshock, Alestorm, Xandria, Kamikazee, Nekrogoblikon, Once Human, Urbandub, Kobra and the Lotus, Hemlock, A Light Divided, and many more. It was a wild ride, and the momentum was strong.
In late 2018, Alexey moved on, and our friend Gian filled in on drums for the remaining shows leading up to the pandemic. In mid 2021, we dropped the single “Dracarys,” continuing to write and experiment with new material. Wiljo spearheaded a shift in songwriting, bringing a darker, more technical edge to our music. We worked with a few session drummers and played select shows throughout 2022 and 2023, releasing “Obscura” as a representation of our new direction.
In 2024, we held a round of drummer auditions and welcomed local drummer Bryce Molly, a powerhouse performer who also plays for various Filipino cover bands. We celebrated our 10th anniversary show in June of that year and dropped our latest live track “Yandere (Live),” capturing the energy of our current lineup.
We’re fired up for what’s next. The music keeps evolving, but the mission stays the same. Keep it metal, keep it honest, and keep pushing forward.”
VMS:
“What artist or bands inspire you and your sound.”
Antitrust:
“We’re heavily influenced by bands like Hatebreed, Lamb of God, Arch Enemy, Cheese and Chimaira, all known for their raw power and aggressive sound. Those influences helped shape the intensity and energy you hear in our music today.”
VMS:
“What’s your writing process and inspiration for your lyrics.”
Antitrust:
“Wiljo handles the music, he writes and arranges the core riffs and structure, then presents it to the band. Once the foundation’s set, Path dives in and writes the lyrics, drawing from personal experiences, emotions, and darker themes that match the intensity of the music. It’s a collaborative process where the sound and message evolve together.”
VMS:
“I love your songs “Endless Suffering”, “Dracarys ” and “Mandirigma”. What is the inspiration or story behind these songs.”
Antitrust:
“Thanks, that means a lot. Each of those songs comes from a raw, real place, emotionally, mentally, and culturally.
“Endless Suffering” is a brutal expression of inner battles and depression. It was written during a dark time, when every day felt like a cycle of pain and numbness. The lyrics reflect that feeling of being stuck, broken, and mentally drained, like you’re constantly running through hell with no end in sight. It’s one of our most personal tracks and hits hard for anyone who’s struggled with mental health.
Listen to “Endless Suffering” on Spotify:
“Dracarys” is about betrayal, manipulation, and emotional abuse. It tells the story of someone breaking free from a toxic relationship, realizing the lies, the gaslighting, and finally standing up for themselves. The title is a nod to unleashing fire, burning the past, and never going back. It’s aggressive and cathartic, both lyrically and musically.
Listen to “Dracarys” on Spotify:
“Mandirigma”, which means warrior in Filipino, is a tribute to the silent battles people fight every day, especially in a chaotic world full of lies, confusion, and injustice. It speaks to the Filipino experience, questioning truth and identity, and calling out the numbness that society can fall into. It’s about waking up, resisting, and reclaiming your inner warrior.
Listen to “Mandirigma” on Instagram:
Each track has its own story, but they all share the same heart: struggle, resistance, and survival through darkness.”
VMS:
“What’s your overall theme or message of your music.”
Antitrust:
“Our music dives deep into the raw and often darker sides of life, struggles, inner battles, war, love, hate, and the chaos that comes with being human. We don’t sugarcoat anything. Whether it’s about personal demons, emotional pain, or the brutality of the world around us, we try to turn that darkness into something powerful and honest. The goal is to let people know they’re not alone in what they’re feeling, and that there’s strength in facing those shadows head-on.”
VMS:
“Do you have a favorite song that you like to perform.”
Antitrust:
“Honestly, we don’t have a single favorite. We love performing all our songs live. Each track shows a different side of our writing, and playing them on stage lets people experience the full impact of our sound.”
VMS:
“Which local artist would you like to work with and why.”
Antitrust:
“We’d love to work with The Nocturnal Affair. Honestly, we’re not sure why it hasn’t happened yet. We’ve always admired their sound and the dedication they put into their craft. It would be an epic night.”
VMS:
“Do you have any crazy or interesting stories from working in the music scene.”
Antitrust:
“No wild stories yet. But one interesting thing is that most of our past and current members actually met through Facebook. It’s pretty cool how social media brought us together and helped build what AntiTrust is today.”
VMS:
“What does the future hold for AntiTrust.”
AntiTrust:
“We’re continuing to write new material and push our sound forward. Right now, we’re focused on finding more ways to get our music heard, and we’ve got a series of singles and music videos planned for release this year. The goal is to keep evolving and connecting with more metalheads around the world.”
Listen to their new song “Distressed” on YouTube:
VMS:
“What have been your personal pros and cons of being a band here in Las Vegas. What do you think the scene could improve on and what are your hopes for the future of the Vegas Music Scene.”
AntiTrust:
“The local music scene in Vegas has always been exciting and full of energy. Over the years, we’ve met so many talented musicians and had the privilege of sharing the stage with them. Every show brings new friends and connections. The support within the scene is strong, and that’s something we’re grateful for.
However, like many local bands, we face challenges. With busy day jobs and rising ticket prices, it’s tough to make every show, both as performers and fans. We’d love to see more touring bands come through Vegas, giving local acts like us the opportunity to showcase our music to broader audiences and connect with new fans.”
VMS:
“What do you want your audience to feel and experience at one of your live shows.”
AntiTrust:
“We want our audience to have a truly unforgettable experience, something that shocks and excites them from start to finish. We’re also continuously working on enhancing our stage performance and presentation to make sure every show leaves a lasting impression.”
VMS Thoughts:
What I love about Antitrust is that they are not afraid to talk about anything and everything, and not afraid to talk about war, love, hate, personal demons and all the things (good and bad) that all make us human. it’s cool to hear a band truly lay everything out there, especially when you probably have fans going through similar experiences, it’s nice that they try to relate through their music and lyrics.
They also bring an intense and amazing musical landscape to their sound, everyone truly brings something unique and dynamic to the table, making for an unforgettable and truly kick ass sound that blows me out of the fucking water every time. I personally know how hard it is to sing at such an intensity that you would have to with metal music and I am incredibly impressed by singer Path Juson and not only her diversity vocally, but the sheer power she has in her vocals, I have mad respect for her, and all of Antitrust. You can tell music is truly their passion, and they have such an intense magnetism that they bring to not only each song but also in their live shows as well. They have an amazing intensity that you really have to see live to believe!
I’m legitimately excited for the future of Antitrust. They have been rocking this shit out since 2013, and I know whatever the next evolution for their band, it will truly be a memorable one. I know for one, I will always stick around for the crazy fucking ride.
For More Information on Antitrust, please visit their Instagram or YouTube!
—–VMS xoxoxox