Holocausto

Holocausto is a Colombian thrash metal band which was an important part of the Colombian metal scene in the 1980s (and therefore notable in South America's thrash metal history). This scene was primarily made up of: Asalmatum, Nemesis, Skullcrusher, Belial, Masacre and Athanator. Holocausto was also (unknown to the members) the name of two other New Wave of British Heavy Metal bands and a Brazilian death metal band.

Original Band Members

*Steve (guitar)
*Gabriel (vocals)
*Juan Manuel (bass)
*Alex (drums)

Current Line-up

*Juan Miguel Gongora (vocals, bass, keyboard)
*Mauricio Barrera (drums)
*Jaime Ocampo (guitar) (Also of band Athanator)
*Juan Fernando Escobar (guitar)

History

Holocausto was formed in 1988 in Medellín, previously named Sacramento but changed due to hordes of religious leaders complaining and constant geographic confusion with the great state of California.

At the very end of 1989, the first demo, 'GENERACIONES MUERTAS', was recorded together at an ill equipped studio. Nevertheless, the band released it to luke warm acclaim. It was often referred to as "Yet ANOTHER demo by yet ANOTHER band" in the sprawling metal scene.

Due to extensive and exhausting tape trading and fanzine dedication, thrash metal had taken ahold of the city's youth.

The founding guitarist had found and interest in thrash metal at an early age; week after week he would pester members of other more affluent bands in the city for their prized imported tapes and vinyls, in order to later regurgitate it in the form of a tastier Holocausto demo tape, "OBSESION INDUCIDA". It was promoted on the local metal radio show (produced by the drummer of the internationally known Colombian band MASACRE), leading to a high demand in the tape trading markets. Having solidified their place in the upper ranks, Holocausto played many shows, even having to endure endless criticisms for playing underground punk songs at strictly metal venues. Regardless, they managed to convince the crowds that they had honed their sound at last. Unfortunately, the guitarist moved back to the United States in the early 90s, leaving the rest of the band questioning the future of a seemingly reputable name. Juan Manuel decided not to give up and kept going despite two other original members leaving the band to pursue college & family life.

After many years, even after attaining knowledgeable musicians and enjoying some success, Juan Manuel decided to depart from the country, leaving Holocausto to march on without any founding members.

Juan Manuel later returned to form an electronic/industrial outfit called B7 and continues to pay tribute to the metal scene in Medellín.

Influences and Contemporaries

Thrash & Death Metal

* Early Metallica
* Overkill
* Testament
* Asalmatum
* Nemesis
* Cannibal Corpse
* Napalm Death
* Pungent Stench

Heavy Metal & Hard Rock

* Judas Priest
* Black Sabbath
* Rush
* Led Zeppelin

Punk & Hardcore

* Sex Pistols
* I.R.A.
* The Clash
* Dead Kennedys
* Cryptic Slaughter
* Los Toreros Muertos
* D.R.I.
* Murphy's Law
* Ramones

Discography

*Generaciones Muertas (1989)

*Inferior (1993)

References and External Links

*Citation Colombian Metal Pages
* [http://www.truemetal.org/colombianmetal/metal_bands/holocausto.php Holocausto @ truemetal.org]
*Citation Athanator
* [http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athanator]
*Medellín
* [http://www.truemetal.org/colombianmetal/masacre/english/news.php Masacre news @ truemetal.org]