Kraken (band)
Kraken | |
|---|---|
| Background information | |
| Origin | Medellín, Colombia |
| Genres | Heavy metal, Hard rock |
| Years active | 1984–present |
| Labels | Universal Music, Discos Fuentes, Atenea Producciones |
| Members | Roxana Restrepo Andrés Leiva Ricardo Wolff Julian Puerto Luis Ramírez Rubén Gélvez |
| Past members | Elkin Ramírez † Hugo Restrepo † Jorge Atehortúa Jaime Tobón Gonzalo Vásquez Gustavo "TavoDrums" Forero Jorge "Pyngwi" Holguin Carlos Reyes |
| Website | Official website |
Kraken is a rock band founded in Medellín, Colombia, in 1983. The current lineup consists of Roxana Restrepo (vocals), Andrés Leiva (guitar), Ricardo Wolff (guitar), Julian Puerto (drums), Luis Alberto Ramírez (bass guitar), and Rubén Gelvez (electronic keyboards).
History
On 18 December 2013, the band celebrated its 30th anniversary and filmed the show for a DVD that was released the following year.[1]
Ramírez died from brain cancer on 29 January 2017 in Medellín. He was 54 years old.[2]
Musical style
Original lead singer Elkin Ramírez was compared to Freddie Mercury[3] and Bruce Dickinson.[4] He was influenced by Led Zeppelin as well as classical music, which he taught himself upon the advice of his father.[5] Ramirez was commonly referred as "Elkin Kraken" amongst the fans.[6]
Guitarist Andrés Leiva contributed symphonic elements to the band, gained as a student of the classical guitarist Pedro de Alcántara.[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
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Murió Elkin Ramírez, vocalista de Kraken". elespectador.com. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. 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.