Riptor: Symphonic Thrash Metal Rises from Cali

In a city globally known for its salsa roots, an unexpected metal force has been growing in the shadows. Riptor, a thrash metal band from Cali, Colombia, is redefining what Latin American metal can be — both musically and culturally.

With sonic influences ranging from Metallica and Kraken to Gojira and Annihilator, Riptor blends technical aggression with emotional depth and a passion for complex, genre-bending compositions. What started as a home-produced EP in 2012 has evolved into a daring artistic vision that now includes full orchestras, choral arrangements, and large-scale collaborations rarely seen in Colombia’s underground scene.

But Riptor’s journey goes far beyond music. Their latest project brings together Grammy-winning engineers, the Cali Philharmonic Orchestra, and students from some of the city's most vulnerable communities. These young musicians, many of them recording in a professional studio for the very first time, became part of something bigger: a production born as a university thesis and transformed into a powerful tribute and cultural alliance.

This is not just about creating an album — it’s about building bridges between metal and classical, education and street, underground and academic. Riptor has dared to dream where few others have, turning a local project into a movement that’s challenging stereotypes and inspiring a new generation of musicians.

Curious how a thrash band managed to merge its sound with the grandeur of a philharmonic orchestra — all in the salsa capital of the world?

Don’t miss our latest blog post, where we dive into Riptor’s incredible evolution and the bold project that’s shaking the foundations of Colombian metal.

Soul Disease is a Blackened Technical Death Metal band from Bogotá, Colombia, formed in 2018. The lineup includes musicians from renowned local acts such as Cancerbero, Awaken, Nonsense Premonition, and Ripping Flesh. With razor-sharp guitars, relentless drumming, and guttural vocals, they bring a precise and immersive sound that blends brutality with artistic depth.

Their lyrical themes explore existentialism and inner chaos, enhanced by the theatrical vocal presence of frontman Alejandro González. Soul Disease has released music videos and playthroughs for tracks like Beating the End, Downfall, and Paralyzed, captivating audiences with both technical skill and storytelling.

Now, the band is preparing to release their debut full-length album Dreamscape, recorded at Red Spot Studio and mastered by Zack Ohren (Machine Head, Suffocation, Cattle Decapitation). The album has already received attention through its singles and visual content featured in international film and music festivals.

With a growing fanbase and intense live shows, including performances alongside Obscura, Cradle of Filth, Carnifex, and Leprous, Soul Disease is becoming one of the most exciting names in South American metal. Dreamscape marks just the beginning of a band that’s here not to follow trends—but to lead a new wave of extreme music.

This tale dates back to 2005, on a hangover Sunday morning Gato con Zorras while watching the animated series “Grimms' Fairy Tales” (Cuentos de Los Hermanos Grimm in Spanish), his perverted mind pictured the idea of assembling a Grindcore/Death Metal/Comedy band., inspired by "Grimms' Fairy Tales," and under a haze of a hangover, Gato con Zorras formed a band fusing Grindcore, Death Metal, and Comedy. He partnered with Bizarrio and met an cannibal drummer, Bruja Heroina. Gato also recruited childhood friend Lobo Culion, fresh from prison. Despite their colorful pasts, they united with a shared vision. In Bogotá’s dungeons, they created a unique sound that would impact the underground metal scene.

Get to know the captivating and intriguing stories that lie behind the remarkable band Cuentos de los Hermanos Grind, hailing from the vibrant and culturally rich city of Bogotá, Colombia. This talented group is not only known for their electrifying and dynamic performances but also for their active and enthusiastic participation in various festivals, including the notable Bogotá Grind Death Metal Fest. Throughout their artistic journey, they delve deeply into a rich exploration of their diverse influences, fascinating musical side projects, and intriguing collaborations, all of which collectively contribute to their unique sound, innovative style, and compelling artistic expression. It is precisely for these reasons that we are thrilled to make them our band of the week.

ORFIN is the solo project of a multi-instrumentalist from New York City, blending atmospheric metal with influences from both New England metalcore and European melodic metal. While ORFIN handles all the instrumentation, the project collaborates with talented vocalists to bring each song to life, having worked with Björn Strid of Soilwork and Tyler Lyon of Evalyn Awake. Produced and engineered by Jamie King, ORFIN’s music weaves intricate, powerful soundscapes that capture the essence of both aggression and melody, creating a distinctive sonic journey for metal fans.

Kraisler, an iconic Colombian metal band, has garnered a loyal following due to their unique sound and powerful performances. Known for their energetic music and thought-provoking lyrics, they continue to push the boundaries of the melodic metal genre. Their evolution not only reflects impressive musical growth but also an artistic maturation that continues to delve into introspection, misanthropy, and darkness in their passionate lyrics and compositions.