Interview with ÓSCAR RILO – DARK EMBRACE: “From the very first show with ONSLAUGHT, I felt there was chemistry, both on and off stage”

Due to personal reasons, Dave Garnett was unable to take his place as vocalist on ONSLAUGHT’s latest European tour. To make the tour happen, the British band turned to Óscar Rilo, singer of DARK EMBRACE. We spoke with Óscar about everything surrounding the tour and the challenge of stepping up to the microphone in a band that isn’t his own.

The Metal Family: Hi Óscar, how are you? Have you had time to rest?

Óscar Rilo: Hi! I’m doing great. Honestly… not much rest (laughs). Right after the tour with ONSLAUGHT, I jumped straight back into work with DARK EMBRACE and with the Dragon Productions roster, plus helping out as stage host for some of the headliners at Resurrection Fest. It’s been a few crazy weeks, but very exciting ones too. Physically I’m exhausted, but mentally I’m still flying high!

TMF: How did the offer from ONSLAUGHT to join the tour come about? Were you warned in advance?

OR: It was completely unexpected. Just a few days before the tour was due to start, the band called me because their singer, Dave Garnett, couldn’t make it due to personal reasons. They asked me straight up if I could learn the full setlist in three days… fifteen songs in total! It was an extreme situation: either move forward with a new singer or cancel the tour. I barely had time to think. I said yes and threw myself into it headfirst.

TMF: After the call, how did you prepare the songs? Were you able to rehearse with the band?

OR: It was absolute madness. I locked myself in for 72 hours to study the songs like my life depended on it. I barely slept, ate terribly, but I absorbed every riff, every lyric, every change like it was part of my DNA. Our first rehearsal? That was during soundcheck at the first show. That’s how sudden it was. Luckily, there was great chemistry with the band from minute one.

TMF: You’re experienced in touring, both as a tour manager and with your own band. Do bands at ONSLAUGHT’s level approach touring differently, or did you find similarities?

OR: There are similarities, but the biggest difference is the level of expectation. With a band like ONSLAUGHT, you’re dealing with a name that has a legacy and a history, so there’s more pressure to live up to that. But the basics are the same: the road, the shows, and total commitment. If you’re not passionate about music and the live experience, you just can’t keep up. That’s true at any level.

TMF: How did your integration into the band go?

OR: Incredibly well. Everyone welcomed me with open arms. There was, of course, a bit of tension due to the sudden change, but mutual respect and a positive attitude made everything much easier. From the very first concert, there was a spark — on stage and off. That energy connected with the audience, and I think it was key to the success of the tour.

TMF: Of all the members, the vocalist is always the hardest to replace. Did you have to adapt your vocal style? Did the band give you any instructions regarding stage presence, or did you have creative freedom?

OR: I definitely had to adapt. ONSLAUGHT has a very defined style with aggressive and intense vocals, so I had to find a balance between my style and theirs. I tried to respect their sound without losing my own identity. As for stage presence, they gave me total freedom. They asked me to give it energy, attitude, and show respect to the fans. The rest came naturally.

TMF: How did the tour go overall for the band?

OR: Despite the last-minute change, it went really well. The shows were powerful, the crowds responded with intensity, and the message was clear: ONSLAUGHT is still a force to be reckoned with live. We received a lot of support from the fans, and that’s what keeps a tour alive.

TMF: And for Óscar Rilo?

OR: It was an incredible experience. Not only because of the musical challenge, but also for what it meant to front a band with such a legacy. Personally, it helped me grow as a vocalist, step out of my comfort zone, and connect with new audiences. And I received a lot of support from people who didn’t know me before.

TMF: If you had to choose one takeaway from this experience, what would it be?

OR: The feeling of overcoming a challenge. Being under extreme pressure, with little time and high expectations… and making it work, is something you don’t forget. I also really value the friendship that developed with the members of ONSLAUGHT. It was a trial by fire — and we got through it together.

TMF: Are there things from this tour that you can apply to DARK EMBRACE to keep growing?

OR: Absolutely. This experience reinforced for me how vital it is to give everything on stage. DARK EMBRACE has always focused on delivering a powerful live show, but now I’m even more convinced that emotional impact during a performance is everything. I also learned a lot about managing stress and staying focused — crucial for any band.

TMF: Back to DARK EMBRACE — where is the band at right now?

OR: We’re deep into the creative process. We’ll start recording our new album very soon, with the goal of releasing it in the first half of 2026. We’re full of ideas, with a strong conceptual theme that we’re really invested in. It’s going to be another step forward in our evolution.

TMF: What upcoming shows do you have?

OR: We’re already confirmed for several festivals in 2026, and more announcements are on the way. I can’t reveal anything yet, but I can tell you 2026 will be a very active year for DARK EMBRACE, both in Spain and abroad.

TMF: Final words — is there anything you’d like to share?

OR: Just a big thank you to everyone who supports me, whether with DARK EMBRACE or during my adventure with ONSLAUGHT. Metal stays alive thanks to the passion of those who live it — musicians, media, promoters, and most of all, the fans. See you on the road!