WarCry (band)

Infobox musical artist
Name = WarCry


Img_capt = WarCry at Viña Rock, Valencia, Spain, 28 June 2008.
Img_size = 250
Landscape = Yes
Origin = Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
Background = group_or_band
Years_active = 2001–present
Label = Jaus/Avispa
Associated_acts = Avalanch, Sauze, DarkSun, Relative Silence, Darna, Trilogy
Current_members = Víctor García Pablo García José Rubio Roberto García Rafael Yugueros
Past_members = Manuel Ramil Alberto Ardines Fernando Mon Alvaro Jardón
URL = [http://www.warcry.as/ www.warcry.as]

WarCry is a Spanish power metal band led by founder, singer, and songwriter Víctor García. Formed in 2001 when García and drummer Alberto Ardines were ejected from Avalanch, the band has since released five studio albums and one live album, with a sixth studio album currently in progress. WarCry has had a fluctuating lineup with García as the sole constant member. The band has been acclaimed as one of Spain's most famous heavy metal actscite web| title = Allmusic Biography of WarCry| author = Gutierrez, Evan| publisher = Allmusic.com| date = | url = http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:3xfixqydld0e~T1| accessdate = 2008-09-30] and has won numerous awards in both Spain and Latin America.

History

Formation: 1992–2002

Guitarist Víctor García had formed a band named War-Cry in 1992, but disbanded it in 1994 when he became the rhythm guitarist for the Spanish power metal band Avalanch. After leaving Avalanch in February 1996 he reformed the group as WarCry, this time acting as songwriter and lead singer. This incarnation of WarCry recorded a demo entitled "Demon 97", but disbanded again a year later when Victor García rejoined Avalanch as lead singer. In 2001 he and Avalanch drummer Alberto Ardines started recording an album of songs that they had been composing in their spare time, most of which had been written during the 1990s with lyrics in English. The pair translated the lyrics into Spanishcite web|title=Interview with WarCry|author=|publisher=maxmetal.net|date=2003-03-14|url=http://www.maxmetal.net/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=19&page=1
accessdate=2008-05-29] and produced the album themselves, with Victor singing as well as playing bass guitar, rhythm guitar, and keyboards. Guitarists Fernando Mon, formerly of Avalanch, and Pablo García of Relative Silence also collaborated on the album by recording guitar solos. Upon learning of Víctor and Ardines' project, the other members of Avalanch disapproved of it and expelled them from the band. Victor García has stated that he presented many of his song ideas to Avalanch, but received writing credit on only two released songs: "Aquí Estaré" and "Por Mi Libertad". "Aquí Estaré" had barely been accepted by the band but went on to become one of Avalanch's most popular songs, and so he decided "to release a couple of songs, but never with the idea of leaving Avalanch."cite web|title=Living the Present|last=Tur|first=Juan|publisher=rocktrip.net|url=http://rocktrip.net/reportajes%2025.htm|accessdate=2008-04-29]

Listen
filename=WarCry - Señor.ogg
title="Señor"
description=Sample of "Señor" from "WarCry" (2002).
format=OggAfter being expelled from Avalanch Víctor García showed Ardines the name and logo of WarCry. Ardines felt that the name and image were "fantastic", and that they should continue working on their new musical project using the WarCry name as they already had an "open path". They were joined by Pablo García and Fernando Mon, and recorded their debut album "WarCry" which was released in April 2002. Shortly after the album's recording they were joined by bassist Alvaro Jardón, formerly of Darna. The album received several positive reviews, with Japanese rock magazine "Karma" calling it "a Spanish album that boosts true metal!" [cite web|url=http://warcry.as/Prensa/reviews/karma1.htm|last=|first=|title= "WarCry" - "Karma" review|publisher = warcry.as|date=2003-05-15|accessdate= 2008-07-22] , and "Kerrang!" declaring it a "very good debut from a very good band that has pleasantly surprised everyone". [cite web|url=http://warcry.as/Prensa/reviews/kerrang.htm |last=|first=|title= "WarCry" - "Kerrang!" review|publisher = warcry.as|date=2002-05-20|accessdate= 2008-07-22] The band held auditions for a keyboardist from June to August 2002, deciding on Manuel Ramil. [cite web|title=WarCry - News (2)|author=|publisher=warcry.as|date=|url=http://www.warcry.as/noticias/anti2.htm|accessdate=2008-04-27] Before touring in support of "WarCry" the band began working on new songs so that they would have a larger repertoire to perform.

Breakthrough: 2002–2004

url=http://www.maxmetal.net/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=287|accessdate=2008-04-04]

The members of WarCry announced that their next album would be sung in English,cite web|url=http://www.manerasdevivir.com/noticias/2933/noticias-sobre-el-tercer-disco-de-warcry|last=Yeray|first=R.|title=News about WarCry's third album|publisher= manerasdevivir.com|date=2003-08-13|accessdate= 2008-05-17] but dropped this idea due to the positive reviews that the Spanish-sung "El Sello De Los Tiempos" received in Central Europe. [cite web|title=WarCry - News (4)|author=|publisher=warcry.as|date=|url=http://warcry.as/noticias/anti4.htm|accessdate=2008-09-27] In August 2003 they began recording a third album, produced by Víctor García and Ardines with the collaboration of Slaven Kolak. The album, "Alea Jacta Est", was mixed and edited in the band's own recording studio Jaus Records, and was released on January 1, 2004 through Avispa Music. [cite web|url=http://warcry.as/english/sections/discografia/alea/inicio.htm|last=|first=|title=en icon "Alea Jacta Est" - credits|publisher = warcry.as|date=2004-01-01|accessdate= 2008-04-02] It was their first album to include writing contributions from each band member (with the exception of Ardines), as Víctor García had written all of the songs on the previous two albums. "Alea Jacta Est" reached #3 on the FNAC sales list within twelve days of its release.Fact|date=September 2008 The album was well-received by critics, with Metal Archives stating that "WarCry has become the biggest metal band in Spain after this 3rd release".cite web|title=en icon Best Spanish Metal Album Ever|author=Jose|publisher=metal-archives.com|url=http://www.metal-archives.com/review.php?id=36543#7150|accessdate=2008-02-19] Francisco Fonseca categorized it as "the best power metal album sung in Spanish", with "a more progressive approach than their usual straigh­tforward power metal". [cite web|title=en icon Best power metal album sung in Spanish
last=Fonseca|first=Francisco|publisher=metal-archives.com|url=http://www.metal-archives.com/review.php?id=36543#7150|date=2006-04-15|accessdate=2007-02-19] "Metal Symphony" called it "one of the best Spanish albums of the year". [cite web|url=http://warcry.as/Prensa/reviews/metalsymphony.htm |last=|first=|title="Alea Jacta Est" - "Metal Symphony" review|publisher = warcry.as|date=2004-01-21|accessdate= 2008-04-26] The "Aleca Jacta Est" tour ran from March to November 2004 throughout Spain and included bands such as Sôber, Abyss, and Transfer. At the first performance of the tour the band officially presented Roberto García, formerly of Avalanch, as their new bassist. [cite web|url=http://www.maxmetal.net/modules.php?name=News&file=print&sid=348|last=|first=|title=Roberto García, WarCry's new bassist|publisher = maxmetal.net|date=2004-02-04|accessdate= 2008-04-30]

Rise to fame: 2004–2008

Listen
filename=Contra El Viento.ogg
title="Contra El Viento"
description=Sample of "Contra El Viento" from "¿Dónde Está La Luz?" (2005).
format=OggIn mid-2004 the band began to work on their fourth album "¿Dónde Está La Luz?". It was their only album to be mastered by Simón Echeverría, a record producer known for his work with both mainstream and heavy metal acts. For "¿Dónde Está La Luz?" Víctor García resumed the role of primary songwriter, writing all of the lyrics and most of the music as he had for the band's first two albums. The album was released on February 1, 2005 through Avispa, debuting at #16 in Spain,cite web| url=http://spanishcharts.com/search.asp?cat=a&search=warcry|title=WarCry – Discography|publisher="Spanish charts"|accessdate=2008-10-05] and was noted for its lack of double bass drum and more social themes in the lyrics.cite web|title=WarCry - "¿Dónde Está La Luz?" song by song|last=|first=|publisher=warcry.as|date=|url=http://warcry.as/discografia/donde/temaatema.htm|accessdate=2008-07-16] Both "Rolling Stone" and "Metal Storm" declared it "WarCry's heaviest album to date", [cite web|url=http://www.warcry.as/Prensa/reviews/rollingmexico4.htm |last=|first=|title="¿Dónde Está La Luz?" - "Rolling Stone" review|publisher = warcry.as|date=2005-10-08|accessdate= 2008-06-22] [cite web|url=http://www.metalstorm.ee/pub/review.php?review_id=973&page=&message_id= |last=|first=|title=en icon "¿Dónde Está La Luz?" - "Metal Storm" review|publisher = metalstorm.ee|date=2005-07-26|accessdate= 2008-04-26] while "El Gráfico" said that "WarCry's metal reinvents itself steadily". [cite web|url=http://www.warcry.as/Prensa/reviews/elgrafico4.htm |last=Ponce|first=Ramón|title=WarCry's metal reinvents itself steadily|publisher = warcry.as|date=2006-03-18|accessdate= 2008-04-27] Such positive reception helped WarCry to increase their exposure throughout Europe. WarCry's tour to support "¿Dónde Está La Luz?" lasted seventeen months, running from March 2005 to August 2006. The band played many concerts in Spain, including the Viña Rock festival alongside Sepultura, Mägo de Oz, and Los Suaves. Playing to a crowd of over 15,000 people, WarCry's performance was praised with the band being called "a machine!" and "delivering pure heavy metal". [cite web|url=http://www.rafabasa.com/index2.php?url=/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=2345 |last=Basa|first=Rafa|title=Viña Rock: WarCry|publisher =rafabasa.com|date=2008-05-01|accessdate= 2008-04-21] On June 25, 2005 the band participated in the second edition of the BullRock Festival in Asturias. [cite web|url=http://www.lavozdeasturias.es/noticias/noticia.asp?pkid=210434|last=|first=|title=Sex Museum, Angra and WarCry, in La Felguera|publisher =lavozdeasturias.es|date=2005-06-27|accessdate= 2008-04-27]

In November 2005 they played a sold-out concert at the Divino Aqualung in Madrid to a crowd of over 2,500 people. [cite web|title=El Trono Del Metal is completely yours|last=Sánchez|first=Eduardo|publisher=mariskalrock.com|date=

While touring WarCry had begun work on their fifth studio album, "La Quinta Esencia". It was released on September 18, 2006, the same day that the band received a gold sales certification for "Directo A La Luz". [cite web|title=Patanes Tour: Interview with...|last=|first=|publisher=patanes-tour.com|date=|url=http://www.patanes-tour.com/entrevistas.html|accessdate=2008-06-24] [cite web|url=http://warcry.as/english/sections/discografia/quinta/inicio.htm|last=|first=|title=en icon "La Quinta Esencia" - credits|publisher= warcry.as|date=2006-09-18|accessdate= 2008-05-24] "La Quinta Esencia" peaked #19 on the Spanish charts, and the band embarked on a supporting tour the following month. In 2007 WarCry received several awards and recognitions: They were acknowledged in "Rockferendum", a poll held by "Kerrang!" and "Heavy Rock",cite web|title=WarCry - News|last=|first=|publisher=warcry.as|url=http://warcry.as/noticias.htm|date=|accessdate=2008-08-14] as well as in "Metal Zone" and the second edition of AMAS. [cite web|title= The AMAS Awards pay tribute to Felpeyu|last=Ordoñez|first=Luis|publisher=lavozdeasturias.es|url=http://www.lavozdeasturias.es/noticias/noticia.asp?pkid=324323|date=2007-02-17|accessdate=2008-07-03] In May 2007 they played the Mägo de Oz Fest in Mexico alongside Mägo de Oz, U.D.O., Cage, and Maligno. The festival marked WarCry's first performances in Mexico, playing to over 15,000 attendees. [cite web|title=Mägo de Oz Fest - Mexico - 2^nd part - WarCry|last=Basa |first=Rafa|publisher=rafabasa.com|url=http://www.rafabasa.com/modules.php?name=News&file=print&sid=5110|date=2007-09-05|accessdate=2008-07-20] In August 2007 Argentian radio station Heavy Metal Radio named WarCry the "international band of the month".

In August 2007 Víctor García announced that Alberto Ardines and Fernando Mon had left the band on amicable terms, with Ardines wanting to focus on his new record label and own recording studio Triple A-Metal. [cite web|title=Triple A-Metal|last=Basa|first=Rafa|publisher=rafabasa.com|date=2007-04-16|url=http://www.rafabasa.com/modules.php?name=News&file=print&sid=4644
accessdate=2008-05-29] Rafael Yugueros was the new drummer, having previously worked with Víctor García on the WarCry demo "Demon 97" in 1997 before performing in Darna and DarkSun. [cite web|title=WarCry introduced their new drummer|last=|first=|publisher=metalzone.biz|date=2008-08-31|url=http://www.metalzone.biz/php/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=4857
accessdate=2008-01-19] In the same announcement the band solicited demos from prospective guitarists, finally deciding on José Rubio, formerly of Trilogy. [cite web|title=WarCry: New Guitarist|last=|first=|publisher=metalzone.biz|url=http://www.metalzone.biz/php/modules.php?name=News&file=print&sid=4986|date=2007-09-21|accessdate=2008-02-26] Touring in support of "La Quinta Esencia" continued in Spain, ending on December 28, 2007 with a performance at the Jamón Rock festival in Guijuelo, Salamanca. [cite web|title= Jamón Rock 07 - Complete Chronicle|last=Egun |first=Miguel|publisher=metalzone.biz|url=http://www.metalzone.biz/php/modules.php?name=Encyclopedia&op=content&tid=356 |date=2007-12-28|accessdate=2008-07-24]

Recent activity: 2008–present

In February 2008 Manuel Ramil was expelled from the group due to his inability to participate in much of the recording of the band's new album (Ramil lived in Galicia, while the album was being recorded in Asturias).cite web|title=Manuel Ramil leaves WarCry|author=|publisher=metalmas.com|date=2007-02-22|url=http://www.metalmas.com/2008/02/22/manuel-ramil-abandona-warcry/
accessdate=2008-06-14] Ramil remarked that he was skeptical that physical distance was the true reason that he was expelled from the band, as the group had been working in that manner for five years already. Shortly after, Ramil, Ardines, Mon, and vocalist Toni Amboaje formed a new band called Sauze. [cite web|title=Sauze - We spoke with Berto Ardines, Manuel Ramil, Fernando Mon|last=Basa|first=Rafa|publisher=rafabasa.com|date=2008-02-28|url=http://www.rafabasa.com/modules.php?name=News&file=print&sid=5817
accessdate=2008-05-13] These lineup changes forced WarCry to delay the release of their upcoming sixth album from May to September 2008. [cite web|title=Patanes Tour: Interview with... Víctor García (WarCry)|last=|first=|publisher=patanes-tour.com|date=|url=http://www.patanes-tour.com/entrevistas/victor08.htm
accessdate=2008-05-13]

WarCry's sixth studio album is currently being mastered in the United States by Tom Baker, known for his work with heavy metal bands such as Alter Bridge, Avenged Sevenfold, Alice Cooper, Judas Priest, and Mötley Crüe. José Rubio has stated that for this album the band are using different models of guitars than they have on previous albums, as well as different amplifiers.

Style and lyrical themes

Listen
filename= WarCry - Luz Del Norte.ogg
title="Luz Del Norte"
description=Ardines' aggressive drumming was prominent on the band's early works. From "WarCry" (2002).
format=OggListen
filename= WarCry - El Guardián De Troya.ogg
title="El Guardián De Troya"
description=Víctor García's high-pitched vocal style is demonstrated in this song-ending 17-second scream. From "Alea Jacta Est" (2004).
format=OggListen
filename= WarCry - Tu Recuerdo Me Bastará.ogg
title="Tu Recuerdo Me Bastará"
description=WarCry has expanded their use of keyboard harmonies on more recent albums. From "La Quinta Esencia" (2006).
format=OggThe band's first two albums contained a straigh­tforward power metal style, with fast tempos, aggressive double bass drumming from Ardines, harmonies with use of keyboards, and García's high-pitched vocal style. [cite web|url=http://warcry.as/Prensa/reviews/metalhammer.htm|last=|first=|title= "El Sello De Los Tiempos" - "Metal Hammer" review|publisher = warcry.as|date=2003-01-23|accessdate= 2008-09-29] All the songwritings ran by Víctor García, which dealt mostly with medieval and epic issues, [cite web|url=http://warcry.as/Prensa/reviews/rafabasa.htm|last=Basa|first=Rafa|title= "WarCry" - "RafaBasa" review|publisher = warcry.as|date=2002-04-17|accessdate= 2008-09-29] on songs like "Señor" which references the biblical herculean figure Samson or "Alejandro" referring to Alexander the Great, the ancient Greek king who was one of the most successful military commanders in history.

On 2004 the band released "Alea Jacta Est", which is Latin for "the die is cast", this album incorporated progressive metal tendencies, making use of their twin-guitar sound, and most of the members collaborated on the songs. The lyrics now contained personal struggles and mythological themes; "Despertar", explains how it is to open one's eyes to the reality, "Reflejos De Sangre" talks about abuse between two brothers, similar to the story of Cain and Abel.

With "¿Dónde Está La Luz?" the lyrics turned more introspective, charged of social issues, such as abuse on songs like "El Regreso", isolation, sin, and also discrimination which is the main idea on "Nuevo Mundo" talking about the immigration in Spain. The music was more elaborated, full of guitar riffs, almost no fast drumming, and García's singing style became more melodic with a soft reflective sound.

Fifth studio album "La Quinta Esencia" was a mix of their four previous works. The lyrics pointed to all directions, from epic stories like "Ulises" which talks about Odysseus, the legendary Greek king of Ithaca and hero of the "Odyssey", to love songs such as "El Más Triste Adiós" and "Tu Recuerdo Me Bastará", or war-related ones like "La Vieja Guardia", "¡Que Vengan Ya!" among others. The music was actually power metal with speed and progressive tendencies, keyboards atmosphere, fast drumming, and García's use of a raugh-and-gravel vocal style.

Band members

* Víctor García – lead vocals (2001–present)
* Pablo García – guitars, backing vocals (2002–present)
* José Rubio – guitars, backing vocals (2007–present)
* Roberto García – bass, backing vocals (2004–present)
* Rafael Yugueros – drums (2007–present)

Former members

* Manuel Ramil – keyboards (2002–2008)
* Alberto Ardines – drums (2001–2007)
* Fernando Mon – guitars, backing vocals (2002–2007)
* Alvaro Jardón – bass, backing vocals (2002–2004)

Discography

*2002: "WarCry"
*2002: "El Sello De Los Tiempos"
*2004: "Alea Jacta Est"
*2005: "¿Dónde Está La Luz?"
*2006: "La Quinta Esencia"
*2008: "Revolución"

Awards

Radial Awards:cite web|title=Radial Awards 2003|last=Basa|first=Rafa|publisher=rafabasa.com|url=http://rafabasa.com/index2.php?url=/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1268|date=2003-02-09|accessdate=2008-09-23] cite web|title=Radial Awards 2004|last=Basa|first=Rafa|publisher=rafabasa.com|url=http://rafabasa.com/index2.php?url=/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=2244|date=2004-04-06|accessdate=2008-09-21]
*2002: Revelation Band - WarCry
*2002: Best Keyboardist – Manuel Ramil
*2002: Best Website – [http://warcry.as/ WarCry.as]

*2003: Best Singer – Víctor García
*2003: Best Keyboardist – Manuel Ramil
*2003: Best Website – [http://warcry.as/ WarCry.as]

*2004: Best Singer – Víctor García
*2004: Best Keyboardist – Manuel Ramil
*2004: Best Album – "Alea Jacta Est"
*2004: Best Band in Concert – WarCry
*2004: Best Website – [http://warcry.as/ WarCry.as]
Rockferendum:
Award held by votes from readers of "Kerrang!" and "HeavyRock".
*2007: Best Album - "La Quinta Esencia"
*2007: Best Coverbox - "La Quinta Esencia"
MetalZone:
*2007: Best Band - WarCry
*2007: Best Keyboardist - Manuel Ramil
*2007: Best Guitarist - Pablo García
*2008: Best Keyboardist - Manuel Ramil
AMAS Awards:cite web|title=AMAS Awards 2005-2006|last=|first=|publisher=premiosamas.com|url=http://www.premiosamas.com/premios.asp|date=|accessdate=2008-09-25] cite web|title=AMAS Awards 2007|last=|first=|publisher=premiosamas.com|url=http://www.premiosamas.com/|date=|accessdate=2008-09-24]
Anuario de la Musica de Asturias (en: Yearbook of the Music of Asturias).
*2005: Best Band in Concert – WarCry
*2006: Best Singer – Víctor García
*2007: Best Drummer – Rafael Yugueros
*2007: Best Guitarist – Pablo García

Tours

References

:"All references in Spanish, except where noted":

External links

* [http://www.warcry.as WarCry] — official website
*MySpace|warcrymetal|WarCry