Inside His Metal ‘Fortress’: An Interview with Guitarist Fili Bibiano

Inside His Metal ‘Fortress’: An
Interview with Guitarist Fili Bibiano

By Justin Smulison

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Fili Bibiano is a rising star among rock and metal guitarists. The California-based
musician is best known as a co-founder of the popular metal quartet, Intranced, whose
style is a welcome throwback to NWOBHM and classic thrash supplemented by
electrifying live performances.

High Roller Records has the foresight to release music from Intranced and Bibiano who
has also made a name for himself – literally – with his own project, Fili Bibiano’s
Fortress. With his name on the drawbridge, Bibiano handles all musical duties (sans
drums and vocals) on his newest album, Death Is Your Master and delivers another
dose of traditional metal that takes a few more risks – dabbling in blues, symphonic and
hard rock.

I had the pleasure of seeing Fili perform with Intranced in 2025 and he is clearly blazing
a trail as one of the rising stars of metal axemen. We talk all about the differences
between the two ventures, what it takes to deliver a memorable stage show and how he
creates his signature musical voice through his instruments.
We also talk about his excitement for Intranced to hit the road with his buddies in Haunt
for The Extraordinary Tour 2026, which will coincide on one date with recent guests,
Vicious Rumors, for one date.

 

Fili Bibiano’s Fortress:
Fili Bibiano – guitar/synth/bass
Juan Aguila – vocals
Joey Mancaruso – drums

ONLINE:
https://www.facebook.com/Fortressheavymetal
https://www.instagram.com/fortressheavymetal/
https://fortressofficial.bandcamp.com/

Intranced online:
https://www.facebook.com/IntrancedOfficial
https://www.hrrecords.de/INTRANCED_1
https://intranced.bandcamp.com/album/muerte-y-metal

Intranced with Haunt – The Extraordinary Tour (USA 2026)
The band will hit the road across the United States in March and April 2026 with stops in the
Midwest, East Coast, South, and Southwest.
March 13 – Salt Lake City, UT – Aces High Saloon
March 14 – Denver, CO – Black Sky Brewing
March 15 – Omaha, NE – The Sydney
March 16 – Des Moines, IA – XBK
March 17 – Iowa City, IA – Wildwood Saloon
March 18 – Cudahy, WI – X-Ray Arcade
March 19 – Chicago, IL – Reggies (both supporting Vicious Rumors)
March 20 – Indianapolis, IN – Black Circle
March 21 – Columbus, OH – The Spacebar
March 22 – Philadelphia, PA – Milkboy
March 24 – Brooklyn, NY – The Wood Shop
March 25 – Baltimore, MD – Metro Gallery
March 26 – Raleigh, NC – The Pour House Music Hall
March 27 – Asheville, NC – The Odd
March 28 – Nashville, TN – Eastside Bowl
March 29 – Louisville, KY – Portal
March 30 – St. Louis, MO – Fubar
April 1 – Dallas, TX – Dusty’s
April 2 – San Antonio, TX – The Mix
April 4 – Sierra Vista, AZ – PCs Lounge