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HIRAX | |
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![]() HIRAX in Pereira, Colombia, July 2013 | |
Background information | |
Origin | Cypress, California, U.S. |
Genres | |
Years active | 1984–1989, 2000–present[1] |
Labels | Black Devil, Deep Six, Metal Blade, Mausoleum, Season of Mist, SPV |
Spinoffs | Phantasm |
Members | Katon W. De Pena Emilio Marquez Jose Gonzalez |
Past members | Lance Harrison Steve Harrison Mike Vega Francisco Zamudio Neil Metcalf |
Website | hirax |
Hirax (often stylized as HIRAX) is an American thrash metal band from Cypress, California. Starting in 1984[1] under the leadership of vocalist Katon W. De Pena (the band's only original member left in the current line-up), the band played in Los Angeles and San Francisco with several of their thrash metal peers such as Metallica, Exodus, and Slayer. The band was an early example of thrash metal, speed metal and crossover thrash,[2][3] yet inspired by cross-genre influences including blues vocalist Sam Cooke, who De Pena once cited as "the greatest vocalist [De Pena] has ever heard."[4]
My main influence is Sam Cooke. He is an old blues vocalist. He's the greatest vocalist I have ever heard. I hope someday I will be as good as him.