Official Anthea Website
About Anthea
Anthea is a symphonic metal band from Los Angeles, CA, renowned for their distinctive theatrical sound that masterfully blends progressive, power, and thrash metal elements with a grand cinematic edge. Drawing inspiration from legendary bands such as Nightwish, Kamelot, and Wintersun, as well as esteemed composers like Hans Zimmer, John Williams, and Danny Elfman, Anthea crafts a captivating auditory experience that resonates with fans worldwide.
The band was conceived in 2015 as a side project by Diego Valadez, who began composing original material with symphonic and progressive metal influences during his time with Cellador. Collaborating with lifelong musician friends, including drummer Peter Vasquez, the project quickly evolved into a full-fledged band named Anthea. Recognizing the undeniable chemistry within the group, Valadez and Vasquez solidified the lineup, paving the way for Anthea's journey into the metal scene.
Guitarist and vocalist Juan Pina, along with lead guitarist Marcos Mejia, were subsequently recruited, enriching Anthea's sound with powerful riffs and dynamic vocal elements. The band made their live debut on October 10, 2015, at the iconic Whisky a Go-Go in Hollywood, CA. After parting ways with their original bassist, Anthea welcomed Eric “EJ” Guerrero, whose musical influences and background in various heavy music genres perfectly complemented the group's vision.
Anthea quickly gained recognition within the local metal scene, performing alongside renowned acts such as Rhapsody of Fire, Wind Rose, and Quiet Riot. Building on this momentum, the band re-recorded their singles and composed new material for an EP titled "Illusion." Following discussions with Rockshots Records, Anthea expanded the project into a full-length debut album, ultimately signing with the label.
Released on October 23, 2020, Illusion received critical acclaim from numerous magazines, blogs, and podcasts. The singles "Moirai," "Illusion," and "Reach" achieved international airplay, garnering the band a dedicated following. In 2022, Anthea released their sophomore album, Tales Untold, under Rockshots Records, which was met with widespread praise within the metal community. Critics lauded the album's epic and cinematic sound, with Power Play Magazine's Mark Lacey awarding it a perfect score of 10/10, describing it as “a masterful blend of cinematic metal storytelling.” Metal Gods TV’s Iron Mathew praised the album’s “massive sound that engulfs the listener,” while Rock You Show’s Doug Groff noted it as “surpassing all expectations for a progressive power metal album.” Additionally, Metal Express Radio’s Bryce Van Patten declared it as “tales worth telling!”
In 2024, bassist Eric “EJ” Guerrero departed from Anthea to pursue ventures in other artistic media. Seeking a seamless transition, Diego Valadez reached out to longtime friend Gabby Hawk to fill in on bass for an upcoming performance, opening for Quiet Riot. Her exceptional performance and natural chemistry with the band led to an invitation to join Anthea as a full-time member without the need for an audition. Shortly after, Anthea performed at the Wasteland Weekend festival and commenced work on their third studio album, which is currently in development.
In 2025, Anthea introduced a new dimension to their live performances with the addition of backup vocalists, known as The Sirens. Comprised of Mel Del Real and Astrid Anaya, The Sirens made their debut at the historic Whisky a Go Go in Hollywood, sharing the stage with Delain. Their presence added a rich harmonic layer to Anthea's already dynamic sound. Following this milestone, the band continued to perform alongside internationally acclaimed acts, including Xandria, Visions of Atlantis, Edge of Paradise, and more.
With a continuously evolving sound and an ever-growing fan base, Anthea stands at the forefront of the symphonic metal genre. By merging cinematic orchestration with powerful metal arrangements and storytelling, Anthea continues to make a profound impact on the global metal scene, solidifying their status as a force to be reckoned with.
