Official biography published on social media (December 12, 2016).
ENGLISH
I started playing drums at age 13. The first band I founded was RIGOR MORTIS, from Ciudad Real. The style played was Hardcore Death Metal; with this band I recorded my first demo Mi Eterno Enemigo (1997).
In October 1997, I joined ranks in another band, LA VÍBORA LAGARTA, also from Ciudad Real. The musical style was totally different, in this case being Fusion Rock, which mixed styles as rock, rumba, flamenco, metal...
We recorded three demos and ultimately, three albums: Bomba Revolucionaria (1999), Mala Hierba (2001), L.V.L. (2002), released by Ellisong Prods and Imagen Death.
I started attending drum lessons in the modern music school 21th Century Music in Madrid, for two years.
During the five years I played with LA VÍBORA LAGARTA, we played live on several occasions, in my own province, and other autonomous communities. We played with artists such as JARABE DE PALO, ROSENDO, HAMLET, O'FUNKILLO, CELTAS CORTOS, REINCIDENTES, LOQUILLO, PORRETAS, etc. We also played, in years 2000, 2001 and 2002 in Arte Nativo Festival (Viñarock, Villarobledo) and received various prizes in music contests.
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In year 2004, I moved to Madrid, pursuing my goal of studying and getting ready for my professional career goal: music and drums.
So I kept attending classes with Andy C, famed drummer who played in acts such as SARATOGA, DARK MOOR, WORMED, etc.
As I arrived to Madrid, I was appointed with band AVULSED (http://www.avulsed.com/) to perform in an audition. I was the chosen drummer, joining the band up to this date. My joining in this band was an important highlight in my career, being Avulsed a veteran band with more than 19 years playing, 10 records and proven international acclaim.
With AVULSED I recorded three albums: Gorespattered Suicide (2004), Reanimations (2006) and Nullo (The Pleasure of Self-Mutilation) (2009).
In this sense, I have to highlight the several occasions I have played live with AVULSED in national and international tours, specially touring Europe (2005, 2009), Japan (2005), Russia (2006, 2007, 2009), the recording of a live Dvd (2007), México (2006) and many of the great festivals in this music style: London DeathFest, Obscene Extreme (2005, 2010, Czech Republic), Uncover Train Fest (Paris), Bringer of Death (Germany), Neurotic Deathfest (Holland), Kaltenbach Open Air (Austria), Mountains of Death (Switzerland), among many others.
In 2005 and 2006 I was awarded the Best National Drummer prize by magazine Hell Awaits.
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At this time, I started learning in the Escuela de Música Creativa (Madrid) with Yayo Morales, and I am also currently studying Jazz (medium grade and musical language) with Carlos Carli.
Currently, I am a drum & percussion teacher in Toledo and Madrid, with several pupils of my own, teaching drums and percussion in styles such as Metal, Rock, Funk, Latin, Blues, Fusion, instruments as Cajón and techniques as Paradiddle, Flam, Drag, Double Bass Playing, Hi-Speed, Blast Beat, etc.
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I have also recently collaborated with Toletan band DULCAMARA (Death Metal), in the recording of the second album of Madrilenian band OMISSION (Thrash Metal) and TROLLGARD's Cd, a viking/folk
- In 2010 becomes part of another of the most representative bands of death metalhead panorama , WORMED http://www.wormed.net/ , . .
For a year he combines festivals with both bands to share the stage with bands like Cannibal Corpse, Destruction , Suffocation , Napalm Death , Entombed , Dying Fetus , Obituary , etc. .
- In 2011 AVULSED leave , staying alone in WORMED , performing at festivals such as Extreme Fest ( Ger) , Maryland Death Fest ( USA ) Obscene Exreme ( Czech Rep. ) . And with many future projects.
In 2012 the second album recorded WORMED " Exodromos " seeing the light in early 2013 . This being named as one of the best albums of the year and with excellent reviews.
In October of that year performed concerts throughout Europe and highlighting a USA Tour
Currently lives in Barcelona where he has different projects: SMRT , death metal / progressive Achocarlos where are the guitar ( achocarlos band , exquisite pus) , Carlos Leonardo, bass ( ex - Agression ) and Bastian Doblekar , voice .
Project " IV " doom metal band , which militate Eloi Boucherie ( Vidres a laSang ), Martin Lopez ( Opeth ) , Albert ( Vidres a la Sang ) .
At the end of 2014 is introduced into one of the most representative and legendary bands on the national scene, KTULU http://www.ktulu.es/ with which began in 2015 to act and recording a new album.
He teaches drums and percussion at all levels and all styles .
Comencé tocando la batería a los 13 años. La primera banda que formé fue Rigor Mortis; de Ciudad Real. El estilo de ésta un thrashcore death metal; con esta banda grabé mi primera maquetami eterno enemigo (1997).
En octubre de 1997, me incorporé a otra banda, La Víbora Lagarta; grupo también de Ciudad Real. El estilo de música era totalmente diferente al anterior grupo, éste era Rock fusión; en él se mezclan estilos como el rock, la rumba, flamenco, metal
Grabamos 3 maquetas y, posteriormente, 3 álbumes (Bomba revolucionaria, 1999; Mala Hierba, 2001; L.V.L, 2002), editados por Ellisong Productions e Imagen Death.
Empecé a recibir clases de música y batería en la escuela de música moderna 21 century music, en Madrid, durante 2 años.
Durante los 5 años que estuve con La Víbora Lagarta, participamos en numerosos conciertos, por la provincia, la comunidad autónoma y otras comunidades autónomas. Tocando con artistas de la talla de Jarabe de Palo, Rosendo, Hamlet, OFunkillo, Celtas Cortos, Reincidentes, Loquillo, Porretas, etc.Participamos, durante los años 2000, 2001 y 2002, en el festival de Arte nativo, Viñarock, en Villarrobledo.
En el año 2004, me fui a vivir a Madrid, con la intención de seguir estudiando y preparándome para lo que consideraba mi carrera profesional: la música y la batería.
Así que continúe esta formación recibiendo clases particulares de Andy C, baterista que ha formado parte de grupos como Saratoga, Dark Moor, Wormed, etc.
Al poco tiempo de mi estancia en Madrid, me llaman del grupo Avulsed, (http://www.avulsed.com/), para hacer una prueba pues estaban buscando batería. Pasada la prueba, me incorporo al grupo, en el que continuo hasta la fecha.
La incorporación a la banda supuso una importante subida en mi nivel profesional, ya que es una banda veterana, con más de 19 años de carrera y 10 álbumes y un reconocimiento a nivel internacional más que demostrado.
Con Avulsed he grabado 3 disco:
Gorespattered Suidice, (2004)
Reanimations , (2006)
Nullo (The Pleasure of self-Mutilation) , (2009)
A lo que se concierte a actuaciones en directo con Avulsed, han sido innumerables conciertos y giras a nivel nacional e internacional, destacando tres años de giras por Europa (2005,09), Japón (2005), Rusia (06, 07, 09),con la grabación de un DVD(07), México (06), en las cuales se a tocado en muchos de los mejores festivales del estilo: como London DeathFest, Obscene Extreme 2005 y 2010, (Rep. Checa), Uncover Train Fest (París), Bringer of Death (Ger), Neurotic Deathfest (Hol), Kaltenbach Open Air (Aus), Mountains of Death (Swi), entre muchos otros.
Con esta subida comencé a recibir clases en la "ESCUELA DE MUSICA CREATIVA" de Madrid con Yayo Morales y cursando un superior de Jazz en la misma con Carlos Carli.
Actualmente imparto las clases de batería y percusión en Toledo y Madrid, a numerosísimos alumnos y he colaborado con bandas de Toledo como Dulcamara, ( death metal) y en la grabación en estudio del 2º álbum de la banda madrileña Omission (thrash metal).
-En el año 2010 comienza a formar parte de otra de las bandas mas representativas del panorama death metalero, WORMED http://www.wormed.net/,. .
Durante un año compagina festivales con ambas bandas y comparte cartel con bandas como:Cannibal Corpse,Destruction, Suffocation, Napalm Death, Entombed, Dying Fetus, Obituary, etc.
-En 2011 abandona AVULSED, quedándose solo en WORMED, actuando en festivales como Extreme Fest(Ger),Maryland Death Fest(EEUU),Obscene Exreme(Rep.Checa),.Y con numerosos proyectos de futuro.
En 2012 graba el segundo álbum de WORMED"Exodromos",viendo la luz a principios de 2013. Siendo este nombrado como uno de los mejores discos del año y con una criticas inmejorables.
El octubre del mismo año realiza conciertos por toda Europa y destacando un Tour por U.S.A.
Actualmente reside en Barcelona donde tiene diferentes proyectos como: SMRT, banda de death metal / progresivo en el cual se encuentran Achocarlos a la guitarra(achocarlos band, exquisite pus),Carlos Leonardo, bajo(ex-bajista de Agression) y Bastian Doblekar , voz.
Proyecto "IV", banda de metal doom, donde militan Eloi Boucherie(Vidres a la Sang), Martin Lopez(Opeth), Albert(Vidres a al Sang).
A finales de 2014 se introduce en una de las bandas mas representativas y legendarias del panorama nacional,los catalanes KTULU http://www.ktulu.es/,con los cuales comenzaran en 2015 a actuar y grabación de un nuevo álbum.
Imparte clases de batería y percusión a todos los niveles y todos los estilos en Barcelona.
-Endorser de las marcas de MEINL CYMBALL, AXISPERCUSSION, WINCENT.
Ricardo "Riky" Mena was drummer with Spanish death metal band Avulsed until he departed in March 2012.
Ricardo Mena started playing drums at age 13. The first band he founded was Rigor Mortis, from his hometown Ciudad Real. With this band Ricardo recorded his first demo Mi Eterno Enemigo (1997).
In October 1997, Ricardo Mena joined the ranks of a fusion band, La VBora Lagarta, also from Ciudad Real.
They recorded three demos and ultimately, three albums: Bomba Revolucionaria (1999), Mala Hierba (2001), L.V.L. (2002), released by Ellisong Prods and Imagen Death.
Aroundthis time Ricardo Mena started attending drum lessons in the modern music school 21th Century Music in Madrid, for two years.
During the five years he played with La VBora Lagarta, they played live on several occasions with artists such as Jarabe De Palo, Rosendo, Hamlet, O'Funkillo, Celtas Cortos, Reincidentes, Loquillo, Porretas, etc. They also played at Arte Nativo Festival (Viarock, Villarobledo) for succeeding years and received various prizes in music contests.
In 2004 Ricardo Mena moved to Madrid, pursuing his goal of studying and getting ready for his professional career goal in music and drums.
So he kept attending classes with Andy C, famed drummer who played in acts such as Saratoga, Dark Moor, Wormed, etc.
As he arrived to Madrid, Ricardo met Avulsed and auditioned succesfully as their drummer. With Avulsed he recorded three albums: Gorespattered Suicide (2004), Reanimations (2006) and Nullo (The Pleasure of Self-Mutilation) (2009).
Ricardo and Avulsed toured Europe (2005, 2009), Japan (2005), Russia (2006, 2007, 2009), recorded a live dvd in 2007, and toured Mxico in 2006. He also played at festuvals such as London DeathFest, Obscene Extreme (2005, 2010, Czech Republic), Uncover Train Fest (Paris), Bringer of Death (Germany), Neurotic Deathfest (Holland), Kaltenbach Open Air (Austria), and Mountains of Death (Switzerland), among many others.
In 2005 and 2006 Ricardo Mena was awarded the 'best national drummer' prize by Hell Awaits magazine.
At this time, Riky started styding in the Escuela de Msica Creativa (Madrid) with Yayo Morales, and he is also currently studying jazz (medium grade and musical language) with Carlos Carli.
Currently, Riky Mena is a drums and percussion teacher in Toledo and Madrid, with several pupils of his own, teaching drums and percussion in styles such as metal, rock, funk, latin, blues, fusion, as well as instruments as cajn.
Riky names Thomas Lang, Flo Mounier, Dennis Chambers, Derek Roddie, George Kollias, and Dave Weckl as his favorite drummers.
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