Cruz de Hierro was founded by guitarist Ernesto Bringas in Mexicali, Mexico, in 1988. The band began with 5 members playing heavy metal. The first song the group wrote was called "La Neblina", which years would become "Prophets of the Past", the first progressive metal composition by the band and the first part in the trilogy of "The Keys". In 1990, and after some line-up changes, the band changes its style to neoclassical rock, genre which allowed the playing of the band to be improved. At this moment the line-up grows to 6 members, adding a 2nd guitarist.
By then, the band was well-known in its home state of Baja California, and was asked to perform in the "Festival de la Raza", where they played for more than 4,000 people, alternating with internationally acclaimed mexican bands Caf Tacuba and Maldita Vecindad The first demo recordings began to circulate, with songs that dealt with different topics that fans related to, such as "La Voz del Silencio", "Angel de Amor", and "Himno de Paz."
In 1991, one of the defining moments of the band happened when Antonio Bringas, brother of Ernesto, joined the band on drums. Antonio had been playing at the time with the influential progressive rock band, Cast. He influenced the music to the progressive rock style, without leaving aside the neoclassical bases of Cruz de Hierro. A new demo was recorded, including songs "Invierno Nuclear", "Juicio Final", and "El Umbral de la Muerte".
In 1993, Cruz de Hierro changed their city of residence to Guadalajara, Mexico, prior to which they performed a farewell concert in Mexicali, Baja California that was called "La Ultima Cruzada" (The Last Crusade). For this concert, a complete production was prepared weeks ahead, including scenery, a special solo by each member, among other things.
During the first year in Guadalajara, Cruz de Hierro performed several concerts, one of them a TV special for the "87.8" music video show that many fans still remember.
For personal reasons, Cruz de Hierro's bass player and 2nd guitarist returned to Mexicali, forcing the band to seek new members. The first one to join the band was Jorge Corona (guitar), former member of the band Escape, and after numerous auditions, Fernando Ramos (bass) and a new keyboard player joined the band, adding their personal touches to the band's music. The five members devoted their time to look for an appropiate singer, and along this search worked with 3 different vocalists, among them Ricardo de Luna. With this line-up they recorded "Treinta Monedas", "Angel de Amor" and "Lo Mejor de T" in demo versions. These songs were given airplay in several radio stations in Guadalajara.
During this period Cruz de Hierro performed in and around the Guadalajara region, and with the temporary return of former original vocalist Josu Pimentel, also performed several concerts in the state of Jalisco.
By February of 1998 , Cruz de Hierro traveled to Mexicali to participate in one of the most important events of progressive rock worldwide, the Baja Prog festival. That year it included artists such as Solaris, John Wetton (Asia), Le Orme, Arena, Minimum Vital, among others. The audience and the international press received the band very well, receiving rave reviews in the main magazines and publications of the current progressive world. Also for the festival, some of the band members were asked to record the theme for the "98 Baja Prog festival. That same year Cruz de Hierro entered the studio to record a new demo with all the new songs that were more focused to the progressive rock and progressive metal genres, such as "Moctezuma's Revenge", "Chamaleon", and "Leaves by the Road". In May, keyboard player Fernando Romo decided to leave the band to give his place to Jorge Corona's old partner Hctor Naranjo (Escape), who used to play drums in his former band. Hector's amazing technique influenced the band greatly with classical piano and synthesizer arrangements.
That same year, during a Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater) clinic in Guadalajara, the well-known keyboard player requested of the audience if the best guitar player in the venue would join him on the stage for a jam session. The public, spontaneously chose Ernesto Bringas and bassist Fernando Ramos for this improvised jam, during which, Sherinian was surprised and amazed by the great playing of both Cruz de Hierro members, and when he challenged Ernesto to play a solo/duel, Sherinian really had to get into it mainly because of Ernestos virtuoso performance.
In 1999 Cruz de Hierro finally started to plan and record their debut album and were invited to open for the popular band from Brazil Angra at the "Hard Rock Live" in Guadalajara. Many doors open for the band after this concert. In the "Expo Rock" event, Ernesto Bringas, Antonio Bringas and Fernando Ramos where invited to join Angra's guitar players for a jam session-clinic. They also appeared as guest musicians at the Tony Macalpine-Derek Sherinian clinic a few weeks later. By the end of the year, Cruz de Hierro presented the french label Musea Records with a 3 song demo. The company found the material to be excellent, and decided to sign the band and distribute Cruz de Hierro's debut album without even listening to the rest of the songs. Musea distributes their catalog in 75 countries around the world.
During the recording sessions, vocalist Alejandro Carrera joined Cruz de Hierro. The alignment of the band for the recording of their debut album was as follows: Ricardo De Luna " vocals; Alejandro Carrera " Vocals; Ernesto Bringas " Guitar; Antonio Bringas " Drums; Fernando Ramos " Bass; and Hctor Naranjo - Keyboard.
Source : http://www.myspace.com/cruzdehierro
