WALTER MONSANTO
Was born in Guatemala City (Central America) on September 26, 1983. He is a musician since he was 7 inspired, guided and motivated by his brother and grandfather (both musicians too) and started playing marimba, then piano, and finally his main instrument, the electric guitar at the age of 10. His studies have been mostly by self-training but even he studied one year at the Music Conservatory Of Guatemala. His main focus is songwriting and arranging. He is currently a member of the metal band ANARKIA which was founded in 2006 and recorded the EP "Conciencia Real". He is also constantly performing cover gigs at local clubs and giving guitar lessons as well. Besides music, he is a tremendous addict of cosmos, the Universe, mythology (specially Greek), animals, nature and literature.
FACTS:
He WAS formerly a member, guitarist and composer of the power-metal band ANDROMEDA (1,998-2006) with whom he recorded the debut-album called "El Reinado Del Sol" (Kingdom Of The Sun), also has been musician of the heavy-metal band ARPIA (2000-2004) recording the official demo "Caballeria Infernal" (Hellish Cavalry) among various other proyects such as tribute-bands to Rata Blanca (2002), Pantera (2003), Iron Maiden (2001 and 2004) and Guns N.. Roses (2006). In addition, he elaborates music as soloist in the progressive, thrash, death and neo-classical areas, recording independently an instrumental EP-demo proclaimed his own "presentation card" which is titled "WHEN POWER BEGINS" (2003). With the two bands mentioned above, he appeared as an opening act to international gigs like Angeles Del Infierno (2002) from Spain, Luzbel (2002) from Mexico, Avalanch (2005) from Spain, Boanerges (2006) from Argentina and as a soloist, he opened for the guitar clinic from Walter Giardino of the group Rata Blanca from Argentina (2004), in the Auditorium of the National Conservatory of Music. He was also chosen as the "most representative guitar player of his country in his genre" in a survey made recently in an outstanding national metal website by having the 80% of votes (see this link: http://www.rockrepublik.net/topic/869/ ).
WHEN POWER BEGINS - Gimor Records 2003
This is an intrumental album which represents the beggining of Walters independent and persistent solo career. It is a good quality production which blends different types of rock and metal in the neo-classical, fusion, power, progressive and yet new-age areas. People at myspace.com can get an original copy of the item by pre-order or by leaving a message in the comment area as well.
Tracklisting:
1. UNIVERSAL ROMANCE
2. FIRE IN THE PENTHAGRAM
3. TALES (FROM MYSTICAL SILENCE)
4. WHEN POWER BEGINS
5. THE MAGICAL POINT - THUNDERS AND FLAMES*
All music, lyric* and arrangements by Walter A. Monsanto WAML Copyrights 2003. All Rights Reserved.
Produced by Walter Monsanto and Carlos J. Salazar. Cover concept by Walter Monsanto. Cover design and booklet artwork by Esteban Alvarado.
CURRENT DISPLAY SONGS:
FIRE IN THE PENTHAGRAM
This is a song which contains a lot of big shred-like neo-classical influences. The name is the main focus on this one. Many heartfelt vibes with different passages leading your soul to an emotion into another.
THE MAGICAL POINT - THUNDERS AND FLAMES
This is the third full-lenght song found in the EP and it is written in the format of a traditional heavy-progressive tune divided in two passages. The main riffs create a development of thickness and groove in between the melodies and it is a great example of Walter..s lyrical aspects as a composer, exclusively for this record under the universal language: English. Enjoy!
THE SOLO COLLAGE
You can also have a glimpse of some of the biggest solos Walter..s has recorded to date with previous bands and as special guest as well.