Rumors about Brazilian Mayara Puertas being the new vocalist for Arch Enemy gained traction on social media after an enigmatic post by the artist that coincided with the announcement of the band's show at the Bangers Open Air 2026 Soon after, Angela Gossow , former vocalist and current manager of the band, liked the post and started following Puertas.
In an exclusive interview with Wikimetal , Mayara Puertas revealed the origin of the rumors and stated that she is not replacing Alissa White-Gluz . The Torture Squad also shared firsthand news about her band's plans for 2026, including a new album and a European tour with one of the biggest metal bands in the world.
Check out the full interview:
Wikimetal: After many rumors, will you really be the new vocalist for Arch Enemy?
Mayara Puertas: No, I'm not the vocalist for Arch Enemy. This all started on the internet when people associated one of my posts with me. I'm a big fan of Arch Enemy, I follow their work, I admire Angela a lot and I feel inspired by her work. And in this year that's been so full of commitments, I've certainly been listening to the band a lot. But I'm happy, I'm grateful to the people, especially the support of the fans in Latin America, who chose me as Alissa's successor.
It would be too much to imagine all of this. And I'm very grateful. I read incredible things, many messages of support from countless friends and artists who believed in it. Even when I told them, those closest to me, "no, this is a story the internet created." Many people continued to believe and root for me, saying "I hope you'll be there someday," but I continue working hard with my band here in Brazil.
WM: Angela started following you and liked your post, which raised suspicions. Have you two been talking? How's that interaction going?
MP: Yes, I was very happy that Angela, from then on, got to know my work. She's been liking Torture Squad's posts, following the band. She even liked the post that was the origin of all this controversy. Many fans are commenting my name on the band's page. And that allowed us to get closer. So, that's what's most valuable to me. To have the respect of a woman like Angela Gossow is invaluable. And to know that she believes in my work, believes in the work of a new generation of vocalists… She's following these vocalists, she knows all these bands and supports them. So, that's the greatest gift I could have. I hope we can meet in person soon. I'll be waiting for a great performance from her at Bangers Open Air.
Plans for 2026: next album, tours and production
WM: Can you tell us firsthand what the news is that you referred to in your post?
MP: This is going to be one of the busiest years for us, without a doubt. Torture Squad just went into the studio in January for our next album, which will be the band's tenth album. It's a very technical and very energetic album, so I'm really excited for us to be able to show it to you soon. We're going to have very intense tours; we're working on a tour with Leather Leone , and in July we're going back to Europe.
Last year we were at Wacken Open Air , so we intend to return. We received an invitation from an incredible band that influenced Torture Squad. They are certainly one of the biggest names in world metal, so knowing that a band like that wants us on tour as their support act is amazing. We continue to work very hard. We played our first show of the year last Friday the 13th at Sesc Bom Retiro in São Paulo, and we are preparing for a very intense schedule of work.
WM: There are new projects and work beyond Torture Squad. Can you tell us more about them?
Yes, since last year I've been working on two projects that I compose and produce, for new artists. One of them is Hanna Paulino , vocalist of Shamangra , who is going to release her first solo single, and I did all the composition and arrangements for this work together with Wagner Meirinho, who also produced it. It's a song leaning more towards a gothic style, but with a lot of weight and modernity. She's a super versatile vocalist, so it was really cool to work on a song for a singer of her caliber; it will certainly have a big impact.
And the other singer, who is a revelation, is Mafê, who comes with the Kilza . She's a student who stood out. She was one of the candidates to be the new vocalist for Hatefulmurder , and now she's back with her project, and we're holding auditions for her band, which is more geared towards metalcore and nu-metal. I also participate in the songwriting and production. It's work that I really enjoy doing. I've already done some productions for bands like CRAS and The Damnnation , more focused on vocals, and now I'm working on the construction of all the songs. I really enjoy being an instrumentalist; it's work that I really enjoy doing, composing and producing, and it's something I imagine myself doing throughout my career. It's something I really enjoy working on outside of the stage.
WM: What about your other band, May Puertas y Las Muertas ?
MP: Regarding personal projects, this year is also going to be a year in which I have a lot planned. I have some compositions that lean more towards a progressive, instrumental style, mixing a lot with black metal, instrumental music itself. And I would like to release that soon. I already have something prepared to be released on platforms later this year. And with May Puertas y Las Muertas , which is a project that mixes the world of heavy metal with the world of theater, within a horror universe, we have six songs ready, and we are also prepared to enter the studio in October to work on an album of unreleased songs and covers of some songs that we are influenced by, from bands that have influenced us.
WM: You are also a singing teacher and will be starting your research work on guttural singing. How do you manage to balance your work?
MP: I'm someone who really enjoys studying, so when I'm not working on stage or in productions, I'm always researching, and I think that vocal style, guttural vocal technique, still needs material that people can consult as research, as something more scientific. So, this year I'm also dedicating myself more to that, to formatting study materials that people can consult and better understand this technique.
I've been working as a speaker for many years, as a vocal instructor, a vocal coach. I had the honor of preparing Prika Amaral for her new phase as a vocalist, among other singers in the scene. And I really enjoy it, I'm very nerdy, I like having material, I like having a text that I can present to people, not just my experience. So, I've been focusing on bringing this study material to people, and it will be available mainly on my YouTube channel.
Women in the extreme metal scene
WM: As a woman fronting an extreme metal band, have you noticed any real changes in the scene regarding sexism in recent years? In your experience, is the environment more open and respectful, or are there still barriers that need to be overcome?
MP: I think women are more present, but the problems remain the same. We still have to face problems of sexism, delegitimization of our work, associations that you are only where you are because you are a woman or because of your appearance. I think the main thing that has changed is that we are more present, more active in various spheres of the music world, not only in bands, but also working in production. I have the pleasure of working with many competent women. Our team is largely made up of women, and I have great confidence in their work and competence. I think the future of metal is in the hands of these women.
WK: And Nevermore also just announced a new vocalist. But the focus remains on Arch Enemy, and the criticism directed at you and Angela. Do you think this is related to the male chauvinist audience?
MP: I find it very sad that people create rivalry between women. Angela was super receptive. She supported me a lot. I think it's very sad that people try to encourage some kind of rivalry, whether with me or Angela, or with other vocalists named as possible successors to Alissa, who is another singer I admire very much. They are two incredible artists who inspire me, who inspire many women. There is no rivalry whatsoever. On the contrary, there is a lot of serious work and I think people have to put that first. We are artists, but we are also people who are fighting for our dreams, for our music, which is what we believe in. And Angela's attitude was supportive, she followed me, liked Torture Squad's work, she seems to be very attentive to new vocalists emerging on the scene…
She's a proponent of a more old-school style, which I also belong to. Torture Squad is a very old-school band, we have similar techniques, I think that's what caused the association a bit. We have very similar styles, but in no way do I think people should be carried away by this impulse to think it's a competition. That doesn't exist, each one is fighting for her space there and perhaps from a male perspective, yes, in fantasy there is a rivalry between the women, but what I perceive is a collaborative effort there so that we can each inspire more and more girls to follow this path.
WM: Mayara, we wanted to thank you for taking the time to meet with us. Would you like to leave a message for our readers and fans?
MP: I wanted to thank everyone for the support I've received in the last few weeks. I've read many incredible things, especially from people who believed I could be the new vocalist for Arch Enemy. I'm very grateful for that trust and especially to the fans in Latin America, who chose me as the next vocalist for Arch Enemy. I really appreciate the support. Here, I continue working on my personal projects, and I continue working with Torture Squad. Support Latin American bands; you don't need to wait for the artists you like to be in bands from other countries, because here we continue doing very serious and honest work.
READ ALSO: Angela Gossow assures she is not the new vocalist of Arch Enemy
