Kraken | |
|---|---|
) | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Medellín, Colombia |
| Genres | Heavy metal, Hard rock |
| Years active | 1984–present |
| Labels | Universal Music, Discos Fuentes, Atenea Producciones |
| Website | Official website |
| Members | Andrés Leiva Luis Ramírez Carlos Cortés Rubén Gélvez |
| Past members | Elkin Ramírez Hugo Restrepo Jorge Atehortúa Jaime Tobón Gonzalo Vásquez Gustavo "TavoDrums" Forero Jorge "Pyngwi" Holguin Carlos Reyes |
Kraken is a rock band founded in Medellín, Colombia, in 1983. The current lineup consists of Andrés Leiva (guitar), Ricardo Wolff (guitar), Julian Puerto (drums), Luis Alberto Ramírez (bass guitar), and Rubén Gelvez (electronic keyboards). The sound of the band is characterized by a mixture of hard rock and heavy metal.
The influence of the original lead singer Elkin Ramírez, was compared by some publications to that of Freddy Mercury or Bruce Dickinson.[1][2] One of the bands that influenced Ramírez' musical taste was Led Zeppelin. Another well-known influence of his was classical music, which he self-taught upon the advice of his father.[3] Ramirez was commonly referred as "Elkin Kraken" amongst the fans.[4]
Guitarist Andrés Leiva contributed his symphonic experience to the band, gained as a student of the classical guitarist Pedro de Alcántara.[5] Leiva has been a member of a variety of different musical projects. On December 18, 2013, the band celebrated its 30th anniversary and filmed the show for an upcoming DVD.[6]
Ramírez died from brain cancer on 29 January 2017 in Medellín. He was 54 years old.[7]
Discography
Studio albums
- Kraken I (1987)
- Kraken II (1989)
- Kraken III (1990)
- Kraken IV: Piel de Cobre (1993)
- Kraken V: El Símbolo de la Huella (1995)
- Kraken: Una Leyenda del Rock (1999)
- Humana Deshumanización (2009)
- Sobre esta tierra (2016)
Live and compilation albums
- Kraken I + II (1994)
- Kraken en Vivo: Huella y Camino (2002)
- Kraken IV + V - Vive el Rock Nacional (2004)
- Kraken Filarmónico (2006)
Tributes
- Tributo al Titán (2004)
- Tributo Internacional a Kraken (2008)
References
- ^ "Murió Elkin Ramírez, vocalista de Kraken". elespectador.com. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
- ^ De Moller, Alex. ""El Titan" and Heavy Metal in Pablo Escobar's Medellín". vice.com. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
- ^ Escudero, Julian. "Elkin Ramirez of the Kraken Band (Colombia) talking about his recovery process". metalymetal.com. Archived from the original on 29 December 2017. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
- ^ Saa, Kwao. "Elkin Ramírez, Kraken Lead Singer And Colombian Rock Icon, Dies From Brain Tumor". inquisitr.com. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
- ^ "Pedro de Alcantara". Pedro de Alcantara. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
- ^ "Kraken 30 years anniversary concert - Orquideorama del Jardín Botánico in Medellín, Colombia, December 18 2013". Metal Traveller. 18 December 2013. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
- ^ Cantor-Navas, Judy (29 January 2017). "Elkin Ramirez, Colombia's 'Rock Titan' and Leader of Kraken, Dies at 54". Billboard. Retrieved 29 January 2017.