Dead Albatross rocks heavy metal world Laredo

The only heavy metal band in Laredo, Dead Albatross has proven in many cities around the U.S. their passion for deep, brutal music.Dead Albatross consists of five members whose ages range from 19-23: Angel Briseño (vocals), Rey Cabrera (guitar, backup vocals), Chris De la Cruz (drums), Marco Lopez (guitar, backup vocals), and Jose Luis Rodriguez III (bass).Cabrera started the band with Danny, their former bassist. In late 2006, Briseño, De la Cruz, and Lopez joined them. Four months later, Rodriguez was added to the band as well.All of the band members have played in groups prior to Dead Albatross. Cabrera and De la Cruz are also currently in Flawless Victory while Briseño performs in Corpse Kin. Some of their influences have been Megadeath, Pantera, Alice in Chains, Slipknot, Iron Maiden, Slayer, Metallica, and Inflames. Though the guys argued over with whom they would like to share a stage, in the end it was a tie between Iron Maiden and Pantera.The band’s CD, Brothers in Death, debuted on July 22, 2007.”The mastering wasn’t done till April,” says Rodriguez.”No matter what, people come and go. Death is something we all have in common,” says Briseño in reference to the CD’s title.”We’re not like other musicians who just get together to play for money. We’re actually friends, and we started off as friends,” Lopez added.”In worst-case scenarios, we’ll back each other up ’cause that’s what a band is supposed to be,” said Cabrera.Despite a few dilemmas, the band has stayed together for two years now.”It’s amazing how we communicate just like brothers because it really defines the CD [the way] we wanted it to be,” says Lopez.Last year, Dead Albatross held two tours: a four-day stint in July and a winter tour that lasted a week and a half.”Hands down Amarillo, hands down Amarillo!” Briseño said when asked about the band’s favorite show.In Amarillo they played for about an hour and fifteen minutes. Everyone in the crowd loved them. In addition, Dead Albatross invested around $100 in merchandise and met great people, making this show the highlight of their tour.”It was the city with the biggest response,” says Cabrera”Even though we were all sick, we had a badass time,” added De la Cruz. Their worst show is a toss-up between California and Boogie Bash here in Laredo; their longest performance lasted 15 minutes. The band believes their status as a heavy-metal band sometimes causes people to perceive them as cocky.Whenever the members of Dead Albatross have a problem, they deal with it right on the spot and don’t withhold anything. They believe that open communication has helped them succeed, unlike other bands that have broken up over the years.”Every practice is our hangout. It’s easy for us to write music together,” says De la Cruz about the band’s friendship.Their plans for this year are to get signed, tour more, purchase a U-haul as well as more merchandise, release their 2nd CD, and increase their fan base.Dead Albatross already has four songs ready for their new album, which they will release in the summer.They want to take this second album to a new level. While still expressing themselves through their music, the band has put more effort and thought into their lyrics to really convey a message.Some venues won’t let Dead Albatross play because of their genre. However, they have genuine hearts they convey through their lyrics but in deep, heavy sounds. Going from White Albatross to Black Albatross to Dead Albatross, this band has proven that their music, though heavy metal, will be heard no matter what.Check these guys out www.myspace.com/deadalbatrossmetal.