The artist of the week: Riptor (Cali, Colombia)
Riptor: Symphonic Thrash Metal from Cali to the World
In a city more famous for its salsa rhythms than for its metal riffs, Riptor has carved out a path few would dare to tread. Born in Cali, Colombia, the band was founded in 2012 from the mind of Joan Esteban López López, then the lead vocalist. With a bold idea in hand, he reached out to guitarist and producer Camilo Castro to join his metal project.
At first, Camilo was hesitant. He wasn’t convinced Esteban was serious enough to commit to something long-term. But, as it often happens in stories worth telling, the spark of creation proved irresistible. Camilo eventually agreed, and together they self-produced Riptor’s first EP, "Absurda Fe" (Absurd Faith), with Camilo handling all production duties.
The response was surprisingly positive. Energized by the feedback, the band quickly followed up with an English version of the EP — “Absurd Faith” — just a month later, with the goal of reaching international ears.
This release opened doors to the local scene, earning Riptor a spot in bars and underground events around Cali. But this was just the beginning.
A New Lineup, a New Chapter
In 2013, Riptor underwent a key lineup change. Camilo stepped up as both guitarist and lead vocalist. Soon after, Nicolás Méndez (rhythm guitar), Carlos Vera (bass), and Daniel Herrera (drums) joined the fold. The band released their first full-length album in 2015: “Sounds From Hell.”
The album was recorded at Sound Chaser Studios by Adrián Oleas, and mixed/mastered by Farid Harb in Miami. It was released through the now-defunct Veterans Records, led by Juan Carlos Celedón, son of vallenato icon Daniel Celedón and cousin to singer Jorge Celedón.
Thanks to a distribution partnership with Goat Curse Diaboli, 500 copies of Sounds From Hell were released physically. That release pushed Riptor into Cali’s biggest metal festivals of the time: Calibre, Cali Underground, La Cruzada del Fuego, and FIURA. The band even crossed borders, performing in Quito and Cañar, Ecuador.
A Sound Shaped by Giants
Riptor’s musical identity is deeply rooted in the power and precision of thrash metal, but the band also embraces progressive and symphonic elements. Their biggest influences include titans like Metallica, the Colombian heavy metal legends Kraken, the technical ferocity of Gojira, and the razor-sharp aggression of Annihilator.
These inspirations not only shaped their early sound, but also fueled their ambition to push boundaries — both musically and conceptually — with each new release.
From Thrash to Symphony: A Dream in Motion
In 2017, Riptor caught national attention by winning a METALLICOLOMBIA competition, where they performed Metallica’s entire “…And Justice For All” album live. That win earned them a spot at Festival del Diablo, Colombia’s largest metal festival, sharing the stage with legends like Exodus, Sodom, Samael, and Accept.
After that milestone, the band took a brief hiatus as Camilo pursued a degree in music production at Universidad Icesi. It was there that the idea for Riptor’s most ambitious project yet began to take shape: “Riptor Filarmónico – The Salvation.”
Camilo had dreamed of combining metal with symphonic music ever since, as a teenager, he saw Elkin Ramírez perform with Kraken and the Bogotá Philharmonic Orchestra. That performance left a mark, and he made a promise to himself: he wouldn’t leave this world without creating a fusion of metal and symphony in his own way.
As his university thesis project, Camilo teamed up with Nabil Bechara, his harmony professor at Icesi, and Paul Dury, former conductor of the Cali Philharmonic Orchestra, who also founded Pacific Technocenter and Desepaz Music School. The students of Desepaz recorded the choral arrangements, marking their first-ever experience in a professional studio environment.
An Unprecedented Alliance in Cali’s Music Scene
Thus began the largest collaborative effort for a metal album ever launched in Cali — a city more associated with salsa than symphonic thrash:
Cali Philharmonic Orchestra
Universidad Icesi
Desepaz Music School
Riptor
More than a bold musical statement, this project brought together institutions, educators, students, and artists from different worlds, highlighting the strength and diversity of Cali’s alternative music scene.
The album was recorded at 312 Production Studios, home to Icesi’s music program, and became a landmark experience for Desepaz students — many of whom came from underserved communities in Cali’s east side. For them, this was more than just a school project — it was their first step into the professional music world.
A Tribute That Echoes Beyond the Music
"Riptor Filarmónico" is also a heartfelt tribute. The choir was initially directed by beloved teacher Sandra Inés Barney Gutiérrez, who sadly passed away before witnessing the final recording. Her role was later taken over by maestro Guillermo Quiceno, but her legacy lives on in every note.
The production was helmed by Leandro Viana, Carlos Andrés Bonilla, and Germán Rodríguez — the last two having won Grammys in 2023 for their vocal engineering work on Grupo Niche’s symphonic album. This makes Riptor Filarmónico even more meaningful: a Colombian metal album, inspired by Niche Sinfónico, but in a completely different genre and spirit.
Thrash Metal with a Caleño Soul
In the end, Riptor Filarmónico – The Salvation is more than just an album. It’s a cultural milestone. A fusion of thrash and classical, of rebellion and tradition, of grit and elegance.
It’s proof that in the heart of salsa country, a metal band can dare to dream big, collaborate with an orchestra, and deliver a sonic experience that bridges generations, genres, and social barriers.
Instagram: @riptorband
Tiktok: @riptormetal
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/RIPTORTHRASH
Spotify: Riptor | Spotify
Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@RiptorCali
