Cultura Tres

Lore & Background

Cultura Tres was formed in Maracay in 2006 by guitarist brothers Alejandro and Juanma Montoya. During their early sludge-doom era, they produced several independent releases and toured Europe, Japan, and South America. The band was listed as a 'discovery of the month' for Metal Hammer UK, and Burrn! magazine praised their 'dark, gloomy riffs with swelling groove,' describing them as 'Tool meets South American rock.' Their self-released album El Mal Del Bien (2011) received a 4/5 'excellent' rating from Metal Underground.

In 2019, the Montoya brothers' friend Paulo Jr., bass player of Sepultura, collaborated with the band as a guest on the album 'Camino de Brujos'. Soon after, the first demo sessions took place in a studio in Amsterdam, resulting in a style that retained elements of their psychedelic-sludgy past while incorporating Paulo's influence. Over the next three years, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the band worked on an album. Drummers Alonso Milano Mendoza and Jerry Vergara joined as studio musicians to record Camino de Brujos (2023), an album that explored new and old musical textures.

Camino de Brujos was released in 2023 through Outono / Universal Music Group in the Americas and AJM / Bloodblast elsewhere. It received praise for its tone in Bass Magazine. The addition of Brazilian drummer Henrique Pucci completed the new lineup, and the band began preparing a follow-up album scheduled for release in February 2025.

Reader's Guide

Cultura Tres represents a notable entry in Venezuelan metal, achieving international visibility through their sludge-doom sound and independent releases. Their recognition by Metal Hammer UK and Burrn! magazine highlights their appeal beyond South America, while the 2019 addition of Sepultura bassist Paulo Jr. brought broader attention to the band. The album Camino de Brujos (2023), recorded during the pandemic with multiple studio drummers, demonstrates their adaptability and continued evolution. The band's significance lies in their ability to blend psychedelic-sludgy elements with new influences, maintaining a distinct identity within the metal scene. Their upcoming album, scheduled for February 2025, suggests ongoing creative momentum. Cultura Tres serves as an example of how regional metal acts can gain international traction through touring, critical praise, and strategic collaborations.

Did You Know?

• Cultura Tres was formed in Maracay, Venezuela in 2006 by brothers Alejandro and Juanma Montoya.
• Japanese magazine Burrn! described the band as 'Tool meets South American rock.'
• Sepultura bassist Paulo Jr. collaborated as a guest on the album 'Camino de Brujos' but is not a permanent member.