Latin Billboard Award Winner, Formerly of Renowned Bands PUYA and ANKLA (Ozzfest 2007)
Today marks the release of the brand new shred fusion album Portal from Puerto Rican guitar virtuoso RAMON ORTIZ. Originally discovered on an international scale during his successful stints with revered Latin American metal groups Puya and Ankla, Portal is Ortiz’s second solo full-length release. Fans can order Portal now via iTunes.
RAMON ORTIZ tracks & videos:
Play-through video: “Cruising Time” via Guitar World – https://youtu.be/PDDLc4zdTrU
Track stream: “82512”, featuring percussion by Paoli Mejias of fusion rock legends Santana – https://youtu.be/ovzjDs5J71M
Solo tutorial and play-through video “No Quiero Truco”: https://youtu.be/IM4iTA2B4E8
RAMON ORTIZ’s career has always been characterized by the exploration of seemingly incompatible musical genres and the relentless pursuit of fusing them together. His music ranges in influence, craftily balancing traditional shred with Latin American rhythmic instrumentation and various fusion elements. Portal showcases these influences and more, and progresses even beyond Ortiz’s first solo record, Ortiz (2012). This first record initially introduced fans to Ortiz’s undeniable musical ability in a solo setting, and reached the top 20 most-played tracks on Sirius XM Liquid Metal as published by Revolver Magazine.
RAMON ORTIZ is currently sponsored by Seymour Duncan pickups, Mesa Boogie amps and Fernandes guitars, who built him his first signature seven string tribal themed guitar, designed by Ortiz himself.
ABOUT RAMON ORTIZ:
Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Ortiz first picked up the guitar at age seven. The Caribbean island has always been a melting pot of musical expressions. Both his father and grandfather were avid guitar players and introduced him to the old Puerto Rican folk standards—a hidden influence that would completely unfurl in his adolescence. “Back then, I was learning equally from the high voltage guitar playing of Eddie Van Halen and his peers, and the classically influenced, folkloric music of my ancestors,” Ortiz says of his early days of playing.
So with his undying love of rock and a rich musical lineage on his side, Ortiz set out to create a genre as eclectic as the culture that raised him. In 1993, Ortiz and several of the members of his high school group Whisker Biscuit eventually became Puya, which remains one of Latin America’s most revered and beloved bands. In 1999, Puya signed with MCA/ Universal, and recorded the album Fundamental, produced by Gustavo Santaolaya. In that same year, Fundamental won the Latin Billboard Award for “Best Rock Fusion Album” and set them touring with Ozzy, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Kiss, Iron Maiden, Pantera, System of a Down, and many others. At that point, Ortiz had proved that heavy rock and Latin music could coexist within the same musical terrain.
Later, Ortiz formed the even heavier group Ankla. In 2006, the band was signed to Bieler Brothers and released their first album “Steep Trails,” produced by Ortiz and Bob Marlette. By 2007, Ankla was touring with Ozzfest and making their way several times across the
US, Canada, and Central and South America. Ankla’s single “Deceit” was on heavy rotation on Sirius Satellite Radio’s “Hard Attack” and quickly became a listener favorite. “Steep Trails” was #12 in Hard Attack’s list of “Top Metal Albums of 2006” as published in Revolver Magazine.
RAMON ORTIZ began his solo career in 2012 with his self-titled album Ortiz, which reached the top 20 most-played tracks on Sirius XM Liquid Metal as published by Revolver Magazine. Now, Ortiz invites listeners to a new world with Portal.
Follow RAMON ORTIZ:
www.facebook.com/ramonortizguitar
