At early 90´s, Vico and Jorge Figueroa had put together a band called “ Shock” , among a couple of other ones, on the hard rock-heavy metal edge. After gaining interest on the progressive rock field at the same time of studying at Musicians Institute, LA (1993-1994), they get back to Bolivia and stablish local acts as “Terapia” and “Karma” being well reknown on the local circuit.



On their own side, Erly Illanes and Ernestro Rodriguez had been playing together on bands such as “Nobody” and “Delirium Tremens”, with whom won some local band contests and caught public attention.



After both parts being introduced by chance, the first Facto Alfa rehearsals start by mid ´96. It's a time for the new band to put together what each member had done by then. It's not until January 8, 1997, that the band does it's official first appearance at the Pericles Pub. In La Paz, and since then several shows are performed in the local area: Equinoccio, X-presion, Metropoli and Mithras. The first original tunes are superbly played among some cover tunes.



By the middle of 1997, the first demo is recorded, along the arranged version of the Extreme's song “Cupid's dead” that would turn out to be included on the Tribute to Extreme album finally released in New Zealand in 2000. The songs from the demo receive local radio airplay in shows as Rock'n Bol. Facto Alfa is also named as the week's artist in Doble Ocho Latina.



By the end of 1998, Facto Alfa makes it to the finals of the X-pre-rock contest and it's invited to be part of the San Simon's rock festival for the first time held in the Cochabamba area. Facto Alfa is also awarded as the Band of the Month on national television.



During 1999, several shows are performed in festivals and tours in the national territory. New songs are finished and the goal is set for the recording of the first album.



The year 2000 starts with another visit to Cochabamba, this time playing with other Bolivian bands in the "Metal fest 2000", where the scene is very receptive to the new material that's introduced. By April and May the “Siete Pensamientos” album is finally recorded. Produced by the band and co-produced by Martin Joffré, a well known musician of the local scene, “Siete Pensamientos” has a total length of 43 min in which it's seven songs are included .



In August Facto Alfa opens for the Mexican band Transmetal in “El Alto” city and some shows are performed in La Paz. In September, the show would be set for Facto Alfa and international acts “Horcas”(Argentina) and the legendaries “Baron Rojo” (Spain). This shows take place in La Paz's Teatro al Aire libre on the 27th and in the Cactus Pub in Santa Cruz city on the 28th, receiving great response from the media and audience.



On December 6, 2000 Facto Alfa's first album “Siete Pensamientos” is finally released independently. It's the first progressive metal release in Bolivia and gets a packed house show at Equinoccio.



On 2001 the band performs in “Sin Limites” and “Decibeles”, national TV shows . Facto Alfa also plays in different cities in Bolivia, in Potosi for the Radio Rock Anniversary and for the “Rock en la Altura” Festival, both of them successful. They are also invited to open the Hammerfall show in Cochabamba, sadly the band's performance could not take place because of technical and organization problems.



During April, the song “Miedo” is included in a compilation album of breakthrough artists prepared by Oasis in Virginia, USA. In May, Mylodon Records, a progressive rock label based in Chile, starts distributing “Siete Pensamientos”. A similar deal is done with Hellion Records, in June, for distribution in Brazil.



Facto Alfa defines it's style as progressive metal, a variation from the progressive rock originated in the 70´s (Rush, Yes). A wide range of dynamics characterizes the style. Intricate tempo and measure changes provide different music style combinations. Metal rock, for this matter, extents it's distorted elements and grooves. Melodic vocal lines and experimentation are also important elements found in this music genre.