User:Kastas~enwiki/Draksen

DRAKSEN was a Mexican thrash metal band from the city of Guadalajara, Jalisco. Original line up consited of Ernesto Catalan on guitar and vocals, Andres Rodriguez on guitar, Martin Lugo on drums and Oscar Del Rio on bass. DRAKSEN (originally formed under the name DRAKKAR) recorded their first demo, "Thrashcore" in 1988. A second demo came in early 1990 called "From Beyond". By this time, Andres leaves the band and Luiz Ahumada (guitar) takes his place and performs. Shortly after "From Beyond" is released, Oscar Del Rio leaves the band and his place is taken by Francisco Uribe (bass). Much better sounding than thier first demo, "From Beyond" receives favorable reviews in underground fanzines worldwide and two American heavy metal magazines, METAL MANIACS and Creem's THRASH METAL, a first for a Mexican rock band. In late 1990, Martin Lugo leaves and his place is taken by Mike Moon (drums), a high school friend from Ernesto's. In January 1991 DRAKSEN plays in Mexico City as one of the two opening acts for American thrash metal band SACRED REICH, a high point in the band's career. DRAKSEN is plagued with internal problems for much of 1991. Francisco and Luiz exit the band leaving Ernesto and Mike to find new members. Late in 1991, Alejandro Isaac (guitar) and Fabian Medina (bass) join. Shortly after, Mike Moon leaves the band and Ignacio "Tacho" Torres takes his place. A full concert of this new and final line up debuts in December of 1991. In early 1992 the new line up records two new songs in a professional studio in hopes to attract label interest. In 1993, local studio turned record label, Mix Records, signs the band and releases their sole official album, simply titled "Draksen" in October 1993. By this time, Compact Discs were replacing cassettes and vinyl records, but the label releases the album on cassette only, leading many to believe that it is just another demo. Disillusioned with their lack of labe support and changing musical climate, the band decide to call it a day. DRAKSEN plays their last concert in December 1994, opening for American doom band THE OBSSESSED.