Hirax
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1984 in Cypress, California, United States |
| Founder | Katon W. De Pena |
| Defunct | 1989 (first disbandment) |
| Fate | Reformed in 2000, active |
| Headquarters | Cypress, California , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Katon W. De Pena (vocalist and founding member) |
| Products | Thrash metal music albums and EPs |
Number of employees | 4 (current lineup) (2024) |
| Website | hiraxofficial |
Hirax (commonly presented as HIRAX) is a thrash metal group originating from Cypress, California, United States. Established in 1984 by vocalist Katon W. De Pena—who remains the only founding member in the current ensemble—the band shared stages with contemporaries such as Metallica, Exodus, and Slayer within the music scenes of Los Angeles and San Francisco. Recognized as pioneers in the realms of thrash, speed metal, and crossover thrash, Hirax drew inspiration from a wide range of artists, notably including blues legend Sam Cooke, whom De Pena described as "the greatest vocalist [he] has ever heard."[1]
History
Following initial demo releases, Hirax secured a contract with Metal Blade and launched their debut full-length album, Raging Violence, in 1985.[2] The lineup at that time consisted of Katon W. De Pena on vocals, Scott Owen handling guitar duties, Gary Monardo on bass, and John Tabares behind the drums.
In 1986, drummer John Tabares was succeeded by Eric Brecht.[3] Shortly thereafter, the band produced their sophomore album, Hate, Fear and Power, featuring eight tracks totaling 16 minutes.[3] Subsequent to this release, Hirax parted ways with their label and self-released the demo Blasted In Bangkok in 1987.
Due to internal disagreements, De Pena left the band to initiate a new project alongside drummer Gene Hoglan (formerly of Dark Angel) and bassist Ron McGovney (ex-Metallica).[3] This venture, named Phantasm, issued a six-track demo in 1988, which was reissued in 2002 with additional live recordings. After touring with Nuclear Assault, Phantasm disbanded. Meanwhile, in 1989, following De Pena’s departure, former Exodus vocalist Paul Baloff briefly took over vocal duties,[3] but the group soon dissolved.[3]
Reunion
Remaining engaged in the local underground music community and employed at a music store, De Pena contributed an older track to a split 7-inch release with his friend’s band Spazz in 1997. Renewed fan enthusiasm led him to reform Hirax by 2000 with original members Scott Owen, Gary Monardo, and John Tabares, culminating in the release of the El Diablo Negro EP. The band appeared at Abrasive Rock Fest in 2002 and performed at Germany’s Bang Your Head Festival in 2003.
The lineup shifted again for the 2001 album Barrage of Noise, which included James Joseph Hubler, Justin Lent, and Nick Seelinger; however, this formation was short-lived. In 2003, De Pena assembled a new roster featuring guitarists Dave Watson and Glenn Rogers, bassist Angelo Espino, and drummer Jorge Iacobellis. This group released The New Age of Terror in 2004 but disbanded due to internal strife.
Their fourth studio album, El Rostro de la Muerte, was unveiled in spring 2009. On July 20, 2013, Hirax performed at the International Festival Convivencia Rock held in Pereira, attracting daily audiences of approximately 10,000 over three days.
On February 24, 2014, the band issued Immortal Legacy through Steamhammer Records. In March 2015, Hirax made their first appearance in the United Kingdom at Hammerfest located in Gwynedd, Wales.
On August 1, 2024, Hirax released an EP titled Faster than Death. Their first full-length studio album in over a decade—also named Faster than Death—was originally planned for release on February 21, 2025 but experienced a delay until February 28, 2025.
Members
Present lineup
- Katon W. De Pena — lead singer
- Jose Gonzalez — bass guitar, backing vocals
- Mathew Morales — drummer
- Geremi Perez — guitarist, backing vocals
Past members
Discography
- Full-length albums
- Raging Violence (1985)
- Hate, Fear and Power (1986)
- The New Age of Terror (2004)
- El Rostro de la Muerte (2009)
- Immortal Legacy (2014)
- Faster than Death (2025)
- Split releases
- Spazz/Hirax (1997)
- Louder Than Hell (2005)
- Hirax/F.K.Ü. (Sweden) (2008)
- Hirax/Violator (Brazil) "Raging Thrash" (2010)
- Hirax / Sodom, split 7-inch SPV Records "Hellion Rising" (2013)
- Extended plays
- El Diablo Negro (2000)
- Barrage of Noise (2001)
- Assassins of War (2007)
- Chaos and Brutality (2007)
- Faster Than Death (2024)
- Demo recordings
- Demo 1984 (1984)
- Demo Rehearsal 1 (1985)
- Demo Rehearsal 2 (1985)
- Blasted in Bangkok (1987)
- Compilation albums
- Anglican Scrape Attic Earache Records (1985), flexi 7-inch featuring Hirax alongside various artists
- Not Dead Yet (1987)
- The Best of Metal Blade Records, Vol. 1 (1987), assorted artists
- Thrash of the Titans (1999)
- Thrash Metal Warriors (2007), includes Hirax and other thrash metal groups
- Thrash Metal Assassins (2008)
- Noise Chaos War (2010)
- Video releases
- Thrash 'Til Death (2006)
- Thrash and Destroy (2008)
- True Thrash Fest (2010), recorded live in Japan
External links
- Hirax
- 1984 establishments in California
- Thrash metal musical groups from California
- African-American heavy metal musical groups
- Musical groups disestablished in 1989
- Musical groups established in 1984
- Musical groups from Orange County, California
- Musical groups reestablished in 2000
- Musical quartets from California