By Joel Langton
The 830 Times
Del Rio has long been a musical hotbed, producing country, Americana, Tejano and other acts with national impact.
Artists from Radney Foster to Blondie Calderon—and even disc jockey Wolfman Jack—have roots here, starting out or building their foundation in Del Rio.
In what could be a first, a Del Rio resident’s metalcore band has signed a national record deal. Del Rio metalcore band Semper Acerbus has signed an exclusive worldwide deal with Eclipse Records, the label announced Sept. 16.
Frontman Nelson Acerbus, a Del Rio resident, said he believes they’re the first Del Rio band to sign a major record deal. “I’ve never heard of a metal band coming out of Del Rio,” he said. “I hope we’re the first.”
Bassist Sammy Farhat, a Del Rio native, said he was surprised and excited.
“My first thoughts were pure excitement,” Farhat said. “I was originally recruited into Semper Acerbus in 2019 as a fill in and back up bassist. From August 2022, I became the permanent backup vocalist/bass player. I’ve had my foot on the gas pedal ever since and just extremely grateful for this opportunity.”
Acerbus said the partnership affirms the band’s vision. “It feels good that this company believes in us and what we do,” he said. The band has been building a following, playing national and international stages.
Eclipse Records, a boutique, independent American label specializing in heavy metal and hard rock, highlights Semper Acerbus’ recent résumé: “In terms of big gigs and festivals, Semper Acerbus are experienced, full throttle and battle-tested, playing The Memorial Metal Fest 2019, The Blue Ridge Rock Fest 2021, Full Terror Assault 2021, The So What? Fest 2021, The Central Florida Metal Fest 2022, Hell and Heaven 2022, Hell and Heaven 2023 (main stage), and The Colombia Tattoo Music Fest 2024. Semper Acerbus has toured with or opened for Asesino, Fear Factory, Ill Niño, Soulfly, Infected Rain, Upon a Burning Body, Lions at the Gate, The Dialectic, Powerman 5000, and Skinlab.”
When Acerbus isn’t onstage, he works with Stryper. After serving as drummer Robert Sweet’s drum tech for several weeks in 2022, the band promoted him to stage manager for international tours.
With Eclipse set to release Semper Acerbus’ next album, the hope is he won’t need the side gigs.
Eclipse said the group’s third full-length album, “Following Omens,” will be released Jan. 9, 2026. The record was produced, mixed and mastered by Chris Mora (Upon a Burning Body, Kingdom Collapse) at Warhorse Recordings in San Antonio.
Eclipse bills Semper Acerbus as “from the heart of Del Rio, Texas,” with Acerbus having assembled the current lineup in 2016. The band features Acerbus (vocals); Jaime Vargas and Joe Dragich (guitars); Farhat (bass); and Tyler Thomas (drums).
“Signing with Eclipse Records is a major step toward the next chapter of our band’s journey,” Dragich said.
The writer can be reached at JoelaLangton@gmail.com .
