Orange is the New Black actress Jessica Pimentel (who plays Maria Ruiz on the show) is also an accomplished heavy metal musician and lyricist with her band Alekhine’s Gun. In this interview with host Christina Rowatt she explores her OITNB character Maria’s story, how growing up in the New York hardcore scene shaped her attitude, how King Diamond’s Conspiracy terrified her and planted the seed to turn a violinist into a death metal vocalist, what’s next for her band, meeting her match in iconic Swedish melodic death metal band Meshuggah’s drummer, lyricist and songwriter Tomas Haake (one of the most cerebral musicians on the planet), how they would collaborate musically and lots more.
