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From the Flames of Origin
The origins of Mafia lie in the heated tropics of Venezuela, circa 2018, where founder/guitar player Ruben Granadillo and former vocalist Alvaro Parra (Burn the Order) hailed as bandmates in Demise. Having left the trials of their home to establish life in Charlotte, North Carolina, a new brand of American Death Metal was born. As the two men breathed life in to their project, the importance of finding fellow musicians with the same tastes and conviction would prove to be a journey all it’s own.
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First came Drew Mclean, second guitarist, who had in tow high quality skills and the heaviest riffs imaginable. With a group of three, it was then possible to jam and brainstorm. As creativity flowed, so too came the longing for the bass and drums that would make Mafia complete. Next came Justin Hilts, formerly of the 90’s grindcore band Grotesque Infection. A lucky find for Mafia, their new drummer brought with him unmatched endurance and percussive attacks that would take the band to the next level. The sound that Ruben had dreamed of was finally taking shape. Shockingly, it took nearly two years for Mafia to land Fernando ‘Ferndog’ Ortega, but it was well worth the wait – his contributions to the band include decades of musical and heavy band experience, as well as classical training in his thunderously defined art of bass playing.
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Now they, for the time, were complete! Mafia’s first studio album was released October 16th, 2020 during the throws of the Coronavirus pandemic and still managed to decimate. With social distancing in place and business’ closing left and right, the band only managed one show together before the world all but shut down. Time in solitude, while honing their craft, made way for a rift that would change the band forever.
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As time dredged by, vaccines became available to the general public and shows were back on. Much to the delight of headbangers all over the south, the band was set to take the stage once more! Ruben, Ferndog, Justin, and Drew took their place before those in attendance at GroundZero. With curiosity peaked on the whereabouts of their front man, a masked entity followed suit. One single song was performed in question. As the second song began and everyone stood impatiently for answers, the mask was ripped off in an epic display that would drop jaws.
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Former blackened death vocalist for Turris Ruina, Josh Croom , revealed himself and expressed to fans that he’d been invited to join the band as their new vocalist with just two weeks notice. Accepting the offer in front of a packed house, Mafia proceeded to bring the house down as the line up we know and love today. With the cohesiveness and absolute talent these five professional musicians bring to the table, we can find them sharing the stage in the summer of 2021 with bands like Deicide, Kataklysm, and Internal Bleeding.
Meet The Band
Josh 'Zeb' Croom
Vocals
Josh Croom, who has been a musician for 15 years, is a North Carolina native and a
known wild man.
When asked for a fun fact about himself, he stated flatly that “there are naked pictures of me on the
internet”. Search at your own risk.
More than that, Croom has had his vocals featured on radio stations
around the world.
If you are part of the regional scene in the Carolinas, you will definitely remember
him from his black metal work, and for his musical contributions far and wide.
The list of influences that helped shape and evolve Josh's vocal style is vast - bands like In Flames, Children of Bodom, DevilDriver, Borknagar, and many more.
If it goes his way, Mafia will travel the world to shred your eardrums.
Fernie 'Ferndog' Ortega
Bass
Fernie ‘Ferndog' Ortega is perhaps the most seasoned member of Mafia, with 40 years of musical
experience, which began as classical training in Mexico City.
He spent years honing his craft in every kind of bass worthy band imaginable.
His hair band performances were televised, his funk band performances brought the groove.
He is a legend in the black metal and death metal crowd of the Carolina’s.
Ortega is never afraid to tell it like it is and keeps Mafia running smoothly with hard truths
and dedication.
With influences like Les Claypool, Steve Harris, Chris Squire, Geezer Butler, and Paco de
Lucia (to name a few), know that Fernie will always bring the bass. And tacos!
Did anyone mention that
he makes the best damned tacos ever had?
Ruben Granadillo
Guitar
Ruben has been jamming since he was in high school in 1998, so that puts him up to the 23 year mark.
It all began in a small town in Venezuela called Los Teques, where Ruben would play guitar for Collapsing
System, MxDxH, and Demise (of which is signed to Brutal Records and achieved worldwide album
distribution).
He has national tour experience warming the crowd for the likes of bands like Brujeria,
Morbid Angel, Job for a Cowboy, and more.
As you might imagine for such a talented musician, his influences are lengthy.
Granadillo claims Suffocation, Rotten Sound, Brutal Truth, Slayer, At the Gates,
Cannibal Corpse, and Death among some of the many that helped develop his incredible sounds.
Buy him a beer when you get a chance to see him play live.
Justin Hilts
Drums
Justin Hilts' history with drumming goes way back to when he was just an 11 year old kid, taking lessons
in Niagara Falls, New York.
His passion started early and carried him through to his first gig at a talent
show in Junior High where he and friends would perform United forces by a S.O.D live.
As the years went on, Hilts would be part of many bands - most notably Grotesque Infection.
Justin now resides in Charlotte, North Carolina with a national tour and professional recording history under his belt.
His hopes are to bring high-level drumming to Mafia for as long as he can, to challenge himself every time
he plays, and to have a blast doing it.
