Ankla (correctly: "Ancla" meaning anchor in Spanish) is a metal band from Los Angeles, California.

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History

Ankla was formed in 2001 by former Puya guitarist Ramón Ortiz, in his desire to break away from his previous band's nu metal style. ^[1] The band independently released a self titled 7-track EP in 2002, produced by Stone Sour drummer Roy Mayorga.

On April 8, 2006, it was announced that Ankla signed with Bieler Bros. Records. ^[2] Their debut album Steep Trails was produced by Bob Marlette, and was released on July 25, 2006. ^[3] The band receives consistent airplay on Sirius Satellite radio's "Hard Attack" as well as XM radio and east coast radio stations.

In 2007, Ankla played the second stage at Ozzfest and received rave reviews. TheColumbusDispatch.com called Ankla, " a ferocious L.A. band with two speed-merchant drummers."

In 2008, the band's line up changed, replacing former singer Ikaro Stafford with Eddie Macias, who had previously worked with Ramón Ortíz in the early stages of Puya. The band has played with Ill Nino, Nonpoint, In This Moment, Bleed the Sky, Brujeria, Body Count, Six Feet Under and Hatebreed.

Music style

IGN.com described Ankla's style of music as a mixture of "thrash metal, metalcore and death metal". ^[4] ThePRP.com stated that Ankla's music was "a chugging Latin-centric tribal stomp complete with nu metal/meets thrash undercurrents. ^[5] Rocknworld.com stated that "the guitars ride through that murky, downtuned area between nu metal and thrash some call "groove...there are death metal vocals and touches of Latin American music". ^[6] The band describes their style of music as "Latin metalcore". ^[7]

Members

• Eddie Macias
• Ramón Ortíz
• José "Pepe" Clarke Magaña
• Oscar Santiago
• Tony Castaneda

Former

• Ikaro Stafford Santana (2001-2007) (Vocals on "Steep Trails" album)
• Edgar González (2001-2006) (Recorded the bass tracks on the "Steep Trails" album.)
• Aaron Rossi (2001-2006) (Recorded the drum tracks on the "Steep Trails" album.)
• JP Soars (2006-2007) (Bass Player)

Discography

• Steep Trails (2006)
• Untitled Second Album (2009)

References

1. IGN, Ramon Ortiz who combines metal riffing and virtuosic solos, is a versatile and respected guitarist and considered one of the pioneers in the Latin/Rock genre. Ortiz is currently sponsored by Ibanez, Mesa/Boogie, and Seymour Duncan. Ortiz also plays the ten-string Puerto Rican folk guitar called the "cuatro.""Ankla - Steep Trails", Posted January 10, 2007.
2. Blabbermouth, "ANKLA Sign With BIELER BROS. RECORDS", Posted April 8, 2006.
3. Blabbermouth, "SoundScan Report", Posted August 2, 2006.
4. IGN, "Ankla - Steep Trails", Posted January 10, 2007.
5. The PRP, "Ankla - Steep Trails", Retrieved March 7, 2007.
6. Rocknworld, "Ankla - Steep Trails Review", Posted November, 2006.
7. Ozzfest.com, "ANKLA Interview", Posted April 19, 2007.