How Ill Niño Stayed True to the Scene Through Chaos | Mental Health in Metal

In this episode of The Heavy Metal Therapist podcast, I sat down with Laz and Marcos from Ill Niño, a band that helped define early 2000s nu metal and Latin metal fusion. But this conversation wasn’t just about riffs or nostalgia. We dove deep into what it means to stay grounded as artists, as men, and as survivors in an industry that chews people up and spits them out.

From lineup changes to personal growth, these guys brought raw honesty and a lot of heart to this interview.

If you grew up screaming along to “How Can I Live” or felt the weight of identity in a genre that didn’t always reflect yours - this one's for you.

The Power of Latin Identity in Metal

Laz talks about growing up in Union City, where salsa and heavy music collided. Ill Niño brought their culture into a genre that rarely left room for it, and they owned it unapologetically. Marcos shared how the rhythms they grew up with influenced the early sound of the band.

“We never wanted to fake anything. We just put in what we knew.”

For first-gen kids who never felt fully seen in the scene, Ill Niño gave us a voice.

Surviving Band Breakups and Industry Burnout

Let’s not sugarcoat it, this band has been through it. Marcos opened up about the emotional toll of internal conflict and what it was like to lose brothers in music. Laz got real about the healing process and how difficult it is to keep creating when your identity is tied to something that feels broken.

“You have to be able to walk through hell together if you’re gonna make it out.”

As a therapist, I see this often, grief that comes from fractured relationships in tight-knit groups. Bands aren’t just business; they’re family. And breakups hit hard.

Music as a Tool for Mental Resilience

We talked about the new music, and how Ill Niño’s sound has evolved, not just sonically, but emotionally. There’s a maturity and depth that reflects everything they’ve walked through.

“Music was the therapy before I ever stepped in a therapy room.”

They’re not afraid to talk about anger, depression, or trauma and they’ve used their platform to say what so many fans are feeling but can’t put into words.

Touring with Intention: Protecting Mental Health on the Road

When you’ve been in the game for 20+ years, you learn a thing or two about burnout. Laz shared how they’ve changed the way they tour, focusing more on mental clarity and less on chaos. Marcos added that connection with fans has become more sacred than ever.

Therapist’s Take

What stood out to me most in this conversation was the emotional integrity. These aren’t just musicians. They’re men who’ve had to confront their pain, rebuild trust, and rediscover who they are outside of the noise.

There’s a lesson here for all of us - whether you’re in a band or just trying to stay sane in a broken world. Healing isn’t linear. And sometimes the people we start the journey with aren’t the ones we finish it with. But if we stay honest, keep growing, and surround ourselves with people who believe in the mission, we make it out stronger.