Photo Credit: Gustavo Adolfo Valderrama
MIR: Thank you for taking the time to do this. Please introduce yourself to the readers.
Isabel: Hi, Bobby. Thanks for your invitation. It’s a honor to write to you. I’m Isabel Restrepo, singer and the video producer of Fabulae Dramatis. Thanks to Monuments in Ruin for the invitation to present the band.
MIR: How did you get started on this adventure?
Isabel: The journey began in 2003 in Honduras, Central America, where I founded that country’s first metal band with a frontwoman. The band, Horus, remains active to this day. After moving to Belgium, I decided to revisit and record some of the songs from that project. It was during this time that I met Daniel Diaz, who continues to serve as the guitarist for Fabulae Dramatis. Together with bassist Hamlet, we officially formed the band in 2011, building it around those earlier recordings.
We released our debut album, Om, in 2012, followed by Solar Time’s Fables in 2017, and most recently, Violenta in 2024. Over the years, Fabulae Dramatis has undergone several lineup changes. Today, the band features Daniel Diaz on guitar, Teo Dimitrov on drums, Marco Felix on bass, and myself performing both clean and harsh vocals.
MIR: If you could go back to the day you started and give yourself one piece of advice, what would that be?
Isabel: I’d tell myself: “Enjoy the ride and keep growing.” This journey is about more than just making music and sharing it with the world—it’s also about how you connect with the people around you along the way. Embrace every moment, both the highs and the challenges, as part of the experience.
MIR: What is something that you have adopted that brings value to your process?
Isabel: I’ve embraced change as a constant—it has become both my friend and advisor. Staying open-minded and accepting change as part of evolution has greatly enriched my creative process. Specifically, I’ve developed new skills, such as learning to play different instruments and mastering new vocal techniques like growling after initially training in classical singing. During the isolation of the pandemic, I even took on the challenge of creating a full scenography and producing an entire music video on my own.
MIR: Please highlight some of the things you enjoy most about what you do.
Isabel: I love the collaborative aspect of making music, working alongside professionals and artists from diverse disciplines. Sharing the creative process with others who often become deeply important in your life fills me with energy and a sense of community. It’s this connection and shared journey that bring me immense joy and a feeling of empowerment.
MIR: What are some of your current goals? Things you may hope to achieve in the next 12-24 months or further.
Isabel: My goal is to share our music with a wider audience while continuing to grow as an artist. I also hope to forge new connections with other creatives, as these collaborations can deeply enrich and inspire our music.
MIR: What is an unpopular opinion that you subscribe to or a popular opinion that you disagree with?
Isabel: Popular opinion: “The grass is greener on the other side.”
I disagree with this. Having migrated twice in my life, I’ve been “on the other side” more than once and have learned that it’s all about perspective. If you believe the other side is better, it’s often because you’re not fully present or appreciating what you already have. Gratitude for what you experience and possess is a powerful gift. If the other side looks greener, channel that energy into tending your own backyard—it may bloom into something even more vibrant than just green!
Unpopular opinion: “Your dreams can show you your future.” I completely agree with this idea. It’s not just dreams but also your thoughts that shape your future. What we think becomes who we are.
MIR: Is there anything you want to mention as we close?
Isabel: I just want to express my gratitude to everyone who has supported us along the way. Whether through listening to our music, attending our shows, or simply believing in what we do, it means the world. The journey is ongoing, and I’m excited for what’s to come. Stay tuned for more and thank you for being part of it!
MIR: Thank you for your time and I appreciate what you are doing.
Bobby Rayfield ~ Monuments in Ruin
Follow Isabel Restrepo and Fabulae Dramatis at the following.
Spotify | YouTube | Facebook | www.fabulaedramatis.com | Instagram