Ekhymosis
| Company type | Rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1988 in Medellín, Colombia |
| Founder | Juan Esteban "Juanes" Aristizábal Vásquez, Andrés García, Fernando "Toby" Tobón, José David Lopera |
| Headquarters | Medellín , Colombia |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
Ekhymosis is a rock ensemble originating from Medellín, Colombia, established in 1988 by Juan Esteban "Juanes" Aristizábal Vásquez alongside Andrés García, Fernando "Toby" Tobón, and José David Lopera. Drawing inspiration from Metallica and metal bands of the 1980s, they fused heavy metal sounds with Latin musical influences.
Career
Right from their inception, Ekhymosis adopted lyrics that promoted Latino cultural themes, akin to groups such as Kraken. Their initial recognition came through local live performances, after which they produced a demo focusing on the violence and social issues prevalent in Medellín; this demo was well received within their close circles. Their subsequent demo caught the attention of a Codiscos label scout, resulting in a recording deal.
In 1993, the band launched Niño Gigante, an album rooted in heavy metal that included the popular track "Solo". The following year’s release, Ciudad Pacífico, under producer Federico López, showcased a transition towards hard rock infused with Latin elements as they pursued a unique Colombian rock sound rather than replicating Metallica’s style.
The 1995 album Amor Bilingüe achieved top positions on Colombian music charts, propelled by the single "De Madrugada", which gained considerable airtime on MTV Latino. That same year, Ekhymosis stirred controversy by releasing a rock adaptation of Colombia's national anthem, earning them significant support among younger audiences. Although they were scheduled to open for Bon Jovi, political instability led to their withdrawal.
After issuing the unplugged album Acústico in 1996, the group recorded their self-titled album in Los Angeles as a four-member band. This record featured reimagined versions of earlier hits like "Solo" alongside new compositions such as "La Tierra", often regarded by fans as an unofficial second anthem of Colombia. This era marked the height of their commercial success.
In 1997, Ekhymosis received three Shock Awards: Best National Group, Best Song for "La Tierra", and Best Composer awarded to Juan Esteban. However, internal conflicts led to their dissolution later that year. Juanes embarked on a prosperous solo career with contributions from former bandmates Jose Lopera and Toby on his projects. He continues to perform Ekhymosis classics like "Solo" and "La Tierra" during his live shows.
Reunion
The band reunited in 2012 with new personnel, revisiting their thrash metal origins by performing tracks written before 1992. This reformed lineup includes founding bassist Andrés García as the sole original member remaining.
Current members
- Andrés García – bass (1990–1999, 2012–present), lead guitar (1988–1989)
- Mauricio Estrada – drums (2012–present)
- Felipe Manrique – lead guitar (2015–present)
- Luis Duqueiro – vocals (2015–present)
- James Agudelo – rhythm guitar (2018–present)
Past members
- Juan Esteban Aristizábal – vocals (1990–1997), rhythm guitar (1988–1997)
- Alex Oquendo – vocals (1988)
- Toto Lalinde – vocals (1989)
- Esteban Mora – drums (1988–1993)
- José Lopera – drums (1994–1997)
- Felipe Martínez – percussion (1994–1996)
- Felipe Zárate – bass (1988–1989)
- José Uribe – lead guitar (1990–1993)
- Fernando "Toby" Tobón – lead guitar (1994–1997)
- Alejandro Ochoa – keyboards (1992–1996)
- Santiago Giraldo – vocals (2012–2014)
- Santiago Mora – lead guitar (2012–2015)
- Oscar Osorio – rhythm guitar (2012–2013, 2015–2017)
- Diego Vargas – rhythm guitar (2013)
Notable contributors
- Jorge Vargas – percussion instruments
- Felipe Alzate – percussion instruments
- Andrés Múnera – keyboard instruments
Studio albums and EPs
| Release Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 1988 | Nunca Nada Nuevo (demo cassette) |
| 1989 | Desde Arriba Es Diferente (7-inch extended play) |
| 1992 | De Rodillas (12-inch extended play) |
| 1993 | Niño Gigante |
| 1994 | Ciudad Pacífico |
| 1995 | Amor Bilingüe |
| 1996 | Unplugged (Acústico) |
| 1997 | Ekhymosis |
| 2016 | Despertar (single release) |
| 2016 | Paz con Cadenas |