Artist description An odd mixture of agression and melody, angst and hope, vulnerability and fierceness, Filacteria boldly challenges long-standing musical, spiritual and ideological paradigms in favor of true-self expression. Some consider this expression to be overly self-indulgent, but the band, nevertheless charges on, armed but with their music and a message of enlightment.

Music Style New metal.

Similar Artists Meshuggah, Pantera, Puya, A.N.I.M.A.L., Living Sacrifice, Deftones

Artist History Filacteria first assembled as a group in October of 1993 to participate in a talent show organized by their local church's (Presbyterian Church in San Sebastián, Puerto Rico) Youth Group. In the beginning, the intention of the band members (all of them teenagers at the time) was to make rap music with live instruments. The band's goal was to develop an outreach ministry that would cater to the taste of those youth not accustomed to “typical church music...â€�. As time went by, the band began searching for a purer and more complete musical expression. Fusing polyrhythmic concepts, odd meters and sung melodies with thrash and hardcore elements, the group began developing its own breed of music which they called “hybrid rapcoreâ€�. This concepts seeks to draw from every bandmember's musical background. These influences are far-ranging and include classical music, afro-caribbean music, blues and jazz all the way up to progressive, death and black metal. Lyrics have also changed: they have evolved from being “self-righteousâ€� and “judgmentalâ€� (which distance themselves from the listener) to deeper, more empathic lyrics (ones that the listener can relate to). The lyrics invite the listener to reflect upon the condition of our society, the attitude that he or she may develop towards it, and his or her own condition as an individual apart from it. Filacteria is currently one of the most listened bands and their full-length, self-titled album, is one of the best received releases in both the local and latin-american rock scenes. Their first single, “Ciegoâ€� was one of the most important productions in Christian rock in the year 2001, having been aired in Nueva Vida, Católica Radio, La Nueva X, Redentor 104 FM and Cosmos 94. This ministry’s work has been reviewed in several e-zines in Puerto Rico, such as: Frecuencia Rock (www.frecuenciarock.com, Noctámbulo), Unión Rock (www.unionrock.com), Pulso Rock (www.pulsorock.com), Puerto Rico Hard Core (www.prhc.org), Rock Cristiano (www.rockcristiano.com) and Fire Cross Ministry (http://home.coqui.net/hectorci/metalomans). In addition, the band‘s work and music is featured in several latin-american rock e-zines such as Zona Underground (www.zonaunderground.com, Costa Rica), Oberol (www.oberol.com, Guatemala) and Música Jóven Revista Musical (http://ufro.cl/~mmena, Chile). Filacteria has also conceded interviews for radio shows such as Talento Local (Cosmos 94), The Edge (Católica Radio), Conéctate (Nueva Vida) and Lightforce (Redentor 104). To this date, Filacteria has shared the bill with many important local and international bands. Among them: Cuerdas Rotas, Malrato, Perro Enfermo, Slimy Nuggetz, Machete, Tropiezo, Golpe Justo, Demencia 13, PUYA and A.N.I.M.A.L.. They have also played alongside many important artists in the Christian scene (both local and international) such as: Christafari, Skaterrestres, Frail, Aprobado, León de Judá, Profecía, Korbán Codesh and Quejidos del Seol. Filacteria is not afraid of showing its vulnerability in its lyrics, since they believe that the sensation of frailty that pervades their lives is one that is common to all human beings. Both the rich and the poor feel it; the black and the white; both believer and non-believer. Some people face these feelings, while others never do... Filacteria considers itself something more than a band. They consider themselves a team - a united front that works towards a common goal: to spread the message of the Gospel. Filacteria are neither for nor against the establishment, since they believe that they are subjects to a Kingdom with principles that are entirely different from this world’s. Their beliefs forge their opinions, their principles, and consequently, their music. They do not wish to be perceived to be better or worse than anyone: they simply express their philosophy the way anyone who writes or sings a song does. Filacteria is committed to the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but not with religion. Religion is mankind trying to reach God by its own primitive and ineffective means. Religion creates division. It also promotes resentment and hinders understanding. The true Gospel is God reaching mankind in a humble, powerful and loving way. This is precisely what Filacteria attempts to provide their audience with: musical energy, a strong performance, honesty, hope and love. Our world is filled with enough hatred, anguish and sadness. It simply does not need another rock band to continue to delve on these topics. This is why Filacteria hopes that its audience will give a chance to their message of peace and reconciliation. At the same time, they invite their audience to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Whosoever does has very little to lose and a lot to win...

Group Members Juan P. Pérez (Juampy) - Juampy is the band's musical mastermind. He is the band’s main arranger and is responsible for channeling the rest of the band‘s musical ideas. He’s an honor graduate of the Inter American University at San Germán, where he recently finished earning a bachelor’s degree in music education. He is also very much in demand as a guitar teacher in his community . He loves both Doritos chips and sci-fi flicks with a passion. Some of his favorite artists are Symphony X, Annihilator, James Murphy, Dream Theater, Lemur Voice and Spiral Architect. Yahdiel Méndez - Yahdiel is the band's most recent member. He filled in for Letos (Marco Serano) who left in May 2000. Yahdiel is the former lead singer, bass player and main composer for metal band Aziel. In addition to being a musician, Yahdiel is also a plastic artist, and one with a very own and recognizable style at that. He works with pencil, posters, watercolor, and oil on canvas. Among his varied musical influences, he cites Living Sacrifice, Extol, Tourniquet, Cannibal Corpse and J.S. Bach. Dionisio Ramos - Dionisio is one of the bands' founding members, as well as the band‘s first director. He works as an electrician in construction proyects and has a beautiful two-year-old named Nerak. He loves music in general, but is especially fond of jazz, soul and of course, hard rock. Some of his favorite artists are Rage Against The Machine, A.N.I.M.A.L., Buddy Miles, Aretha Franklin, Mark Whitfield, B.B. King, Puya and Incubus. German Rosa - German is currently the band's director and main driving force, both on and off the stage. He is known for his powerful musical and spiritual delivery onstage. German has two degrees, one in psychology and another in politics from the Interamerican University in San Germán. Some of his favorite artists are Fear Factory, Pantera, Sepultura, Rage Against The Machine, Creed and Van Halen. Carlos Anglada - Carlos has been the band‘s drummer almost since its inception. He has an enginnering carrer, but a true rocker’s heart. He is the band‘s main lyricist and also shares arranging duties with Juampy. Carlos firmly believes that there are only two kinds of music: good and bad. That is why genres are totally irrelevant to his groups of choice… Some of his favorite artists include Rush, Meshuggah, Living Sacrifice, Rubén Blades, Buena Vista Social Club, Buddy Miles, Batacumbele, Alberto Cortés, Puya and the Deftones.

Albums Filacteria

Location San Sebastián, PR - Puerto Rico

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