We’re excited to start a new monthly feature on The Sonic Tomb blog, where we’ll take a deeper look at some of the artists we’ve had the privilege of working with.
For our very first Artist Spotlight, I couldn’t think of a better person to feature than one of my favorite musicians and one of my favourite people:
Raul Cerna
Read on to learn more about this amazing guitar player, musician, and human being.
Hailing from my hometown of Guatemala City, Raul is a guitarist whose talent, creativity, and musicianship have inspired me for many years.
I still remember the day I met him.
I was barely 17 years old and attended a local show in downtown Guatemala City. It was one of those mixed-bill events where a variety of bands shared the stage. I had a fantastic time. At that point, I was just beginning to immerse myself in the local music scene and discover the incredible musicians around me.
Then Raul’s band took the stage. I was immediately hooked!
Up until that moment, I had never seen anyone play guitar like that. He was doing things that I didn’t even know were possible. His technique, phrasing, and command of the instrument completely blew me away. I remember standing there thinking that I wanted to learn everything I could from this guy.
Over the years, our friendship grew.
What started as admiration for a great musician eventually became a close friendship built around a shared passion for music and audio. In many ways, Raul has become my unofficial guitar teacher, and I can confidently say that I’ve learned an incredible amount from him.
Over the last couple of years, I’ve made a serious effort to deepen my understanding of music theory, harmony, and composition. Raul has been a huge part of that journey. His ability to explain complex concepts in a practical and musical way has helped me grow tremendously as both a musician and an audio engineer.
Highly recommended, by the way!
One of the things that continues to impress me about Raul is his versatility. I’ve watched him evolve and thrive across multiple genres and musical projects, always bringing the same level of passion, creativity, and technical excellence.
But beyond his technical ability, what really stands out is his voicing as a player.
Raul is one of those guitarists whose playing is instantly recognizable. The moment I hear him, I know it’s him. He has that elusive quality that many musicians spend a lifetime searching for.
A unique musical identity.
I often call it “right-hand sound.”
It’s that combination of touch, phrasing, attack, and feel that makes a guitarist sound unmistakably like themselves.
Raul certainly has it. And it is awesome!
But don’t take my ford for it! You can rectify that for yourself in the video above!
You can hear his musical personality shine throughout projects such as Arakhne, the Raul Cerna Trio, and most recently, Stratosfera.
Of those projects, Stratosfera has been particularly exciting to follow. Their music blends elements of power metal and traditional heavy metal into something energetic, expressive, and highly engaging. Fast riffs, soaring melodies, and powerful performances come together to create a sound that feels both classic and fresh.
We had the pleasure of mastering Stratosfera’s debut EP and have continued working with the band on subsequent singles. It’s always rewarding to help bring great music to life, and working with musicians of this caliber makes the process even more enjoyable.
Raul, thank you for your friendship, your guidance, your patience as a teacher, and all the good vibes you’ve shared over the years.
It’s been a privilege and an honour to watch your musical journey unfold, and an even greater privilege to be a small part of it.
Here’s to many more years of great music, great conversations, and great memories together.
We’re excited to see what comes next.
Playlist
Streaming Platforms
Listen to Stratosfera on: