Ahrue Luster
Encyclopedia
Ahrue Luster is the current lead guitarist for the Latin metal band Ill Niño
. He is also the former guitarist for Machine Head
as well as Manmade God
and a Bay Area Thrash Metal act called The Horde of Torment who were originally called "Pestilence" but had to change their name because another Pestilence
had signed to Roadrunner Records
.
during the recording of their second album, Confession
. He was asked to try out by long time friend, Dave Chavarri
, who he had originally met during the Thrash Metal heyday of the San Francisco Bay Area.
Ahrue has an ESP
Signature Series guitar. The guitar was released while he was in Ill Niño
but was based on a design that he came up with while he was still in Machine Head
. The guitar is thinline, sunburst ESP
viper that has spades as fret inlays. He chose the spade inlays because his mother, who bought him his first guitar, was a career blackjack dealer in Las Vegas.
Although he wasn’t the original lead guitarist of Ill Niño
, Ahrue has become one of the main songwriters and musical contributors. Ill Niño
is a great fit for Ahrue musically because of his love of not only aggressive, heavy music but many other styles of music including the cultural music of South America and Spain. Ahrue grew up listening to Metal but as he became more and more of a musician he began to explore many other styles of music.
Ahrue’s first professional recording experience was with Machine Head
on their most controversial release, The Burning Red
. The record received mixed response. It was both praised and hated by fans as well as the press. The Burning Red
is Machine Head
’s second best selling album in the United States, however, it sold as many albums in 3 years as Burn My Eyes
sold in almost 8.
He left Machine Head because he felt creatively unfulfilled with his role in the band and was told that, as a member of Machine Head, he was not allowed to seek fulfillment in any side projects. Ahrue decided that he had to remain true to his convictions as an artist so his only choice was to leave the band.
Ahrue is often thought responsible for the controversial musical direction of Machine Head's albums The Burning Red
and Supercharger
.
Ill Niño
Ill Niño is an American six-piece metal band from New Jersey founded in 1998. The band has sold over 3.3 million units worldwide; they have 5 studio albums and 10 music videos.-History:...
. He is also the former guitarist for Machine Head
Machine Head (band)
Machine Head is an American heavy metal band from Oakland, California. Formed on October 12, 1991, the group was founded by Robb Flynn and Adam Duce. There have been 4 member changes since their inception. The current lineup of the band comprises Flynn , Duce , ex-Vio-Lence guitarist Phil Demmel ,...
as well as Manmade God
Manmade God
Manmade God was an American hard rock band from San Francisco. They gained prominence in 2003, touring with various mainstream acts and releasing one self-titled album in late summer...
and a Bay Area Thrash Metal act called The Horde of Torment who were originally called "Pestilence" but had to change their name because another Pestilence
Pestilence (band)
Pestilence is a death metal band from the Netherlands founded in 1986. Later they incorporated more jazz and fusion elements into their music. After disbanding in order to pursue other musical directions in 1994, Pestilence has reunited in 2008...
had signed to Roadrunner Records
Roadrunner Records
Roadrunner Records is an American record label that concentrates primarily on heavy metal bands. It is currently a subsidiary of Warner Music Group.-History:...
.
Biography
He joined Ill NiñoIll Niño
Ill Niño is an American six-piece metal band from New Jersey founded in 1998. The band has sold over 3.3 million units worldwide; they have 5 studio albums and 10 music videos.-History:...
during the recording of their second album, Confession
Confession
This article is for the religious practice of confessing one's sins.Confession is the acknowledgment of sin or wrongs...
. He was asked to try out by long time friend, Dave Chavarri
Dave Chavarri
Dave Chavarri is the founder, producer, manager, and drummer for the band Ill Niño.Chavarri was born in Lima, Peru, and moved to New Jersey at age 11. With a 25 year career in the music business, Dave is the former drummer for many bands such as Soulfly, Pro-Pain, M.O.D., Merauder and Gothic Slam...
, who he had originally met during the Thrash Metal heyday of the San Francisco Bay Area.
Ahrue has an ESP
ESP Guitars
, located in North Hollywood, California, is an American-based, Japanese-owned manufacturer of electric guitars and basses.- History :In 1975, Hisatake Shibuya opened a shop called Electric Sound Products in Tokyo. It provided custom replacement parts for guitars. In 1976, ESP gained a reputation...
Signature Series guitar. The guitar was released while he was in Ill Niño
Ill Niño
Ill Niño is an American six-piece metal band from New Jersey founded in 1998. The band has sold over 3.3 million units worldwide; they have 5 studio albums and 10 music videos.-History:...
but was based on a design that he came up with while he was still in Machine Head
Machine Head (band)
Machine Head is an American heavy metal band from Oakland, California. Formed on October 12, 1991, the group was founded by Robb Flynn and Adam Duce. There have been 4 member changes since their inception. The current lineup of the band comprises Flynn , Duce , ex-Vio-Lence guitarist Phil Demmel ,...
. The guitar is thinline, sunburst ESP
ESP Guitars
, located in North Hollywood, California, is an American-based, Japanese-owned manufacturer of electric guitars and basses.- History :In 1975, Hisatake Shibuya opened a shop called Electric Sound Products in Tokyo. It provided custom replacement parts for guitars. In 1976, ESP gained a reputation...
viper that has spades as fret inlays. He chose the spade inlays because his mother, who bought him his first guitar, was a career blackjack dealer in Las Vegas.
Although he wasn’t the original lead guitarist of Ill Niño
Ill Niño
Ill Niño is an American six-piece metal band from New Jersey founded in 1998. The band has sold over 3.3 million units worldwide; they have 5 studio albums and 10 music videos.-History:...
, Ahrue has become one of the main songwriters and musical contributors. Ill Niño
Ill Niño
Ill Niño is an American six-piece metal band from New Jersey founded in 1998. The band has sold over 3.3 million units worldwide; they have 5 studio albums and 10 music videos.-History:...
is a great fit for Ahrue musically because of his love of not only aggressive, heavy music but many other styles of music including the cultural music of South America and Spain. Ahrue grew up listening to Metal but as he became more and more of a musician he began to explore many other styles of music.
Ahrue’s first professional recording experience was with Machine Head
Machine Head (band)
Machine Head is an American heavy metal band from Oakland, California. Formed on October 12, 1991, the group was founded by Robb Flynn and Adam Duce. There have been 4 member changes since their inception. The current lineup of the band comprises Flynn , Duce , ex-Vio-Lence guitarist Phil Demmel ,...
on their most controversial release, The Burning Red
The Burning Red
- Personnel :* Robert Flynn - vocals, guitars* Adam Duce - bass, backing vocals* Ahrue Luster - lead guitars* Dave McClain - drums-Chart positions:...
. The record received mixed response. It was both praised and hated by fans as well as the press. The Burning Red
The Burning Red
- Personnel :* Robert Flynn - vocals, guitars* Adam Duce - bass, backing vocals* Ahrue Luster - lead guitars* Dave McClain - drums-Chart positions:...
is Machine Head
Machine Head (band)
Machine Head is an American heavy metal band from Oakland, California. Formed on October 12, 1991, the group was founded by Robb Flynn and Adam Duce. There have been 4 member changes since their inception. The current lineup of the band comprises Flynn , Duce , ex-Vio-Lence guitarist Phil Demmel ,...
’s second best selling album in the United States, however, it sold as many albums in 3 years as Burn My Eyes
Burn My Eyes
-Australian tour edition:The following songs consisted entirely of the Burn My Eyes Demo.-Re-release:On October 31st 2006, Roadrunner Records announced that as part of their 25th Anniversary, they will be re-releasing Burn My Eyes with a bonus CD, which includes previously unreleased tracks and...
sold in almost 8.
He left Machine Head because he felt creatively unfulfilled with his role in the band and was told that, as a member of Machine Head, he was not allowed to seek fulfillment in any side projects. Ahrue decided that he had to remain true to his convictions as an artist so his only choice was to leave the band.
Ahrue is often thought responsible for the controversial musical direction of Machine Head's albums The Burning Red
The Burning Red
- Personnel :* Robert Flynn - vocals, guitars* Adam Duce - bass, backing vocals* Ahrue Luster - lead guitars* Dave McClain - drums-Chart positions:...
and Supercharger
Supercharger (album)
-Personnel:* Robb Flynn - vocals, guitar* Ahrue Luster - lead guitar* Adam Duce - bass* Dave McClain - drums-Chart positions:...
.
Ill Niño
- ConfessionConfession (album)Confession is the second album released by Ill Niño. The album debuted at #37 in the Billboard Top 200 with first week sales of 27,863. It has been their most successful album to date, selling nearly 500,000 copies in the United States. The album features several elements and influences of...
(2003) - One Nation Underground (2005)
- The Under Cover Sessions (2006)
- EnigmaEnigma (Ill Niño album)-Singles:* "The Alibi of Tyrants" – The video was filmed live at the 2007 With Full Force festival in Germany....
(2008) - Dead New WorldDead New World- Personnel :Cristian Machado: VocalsDiego Verduzco: Rhythm GuitarAhrue Luster: Lead guitarLazaro Pina: BassDave Chavarri: DrumsDaniel Couto: Percussion...
(2010)
Machine Head
- The Burning RedThe Burning Red- Personnel :* Robert Flynn - vocals, guitars* Adam Duce - bass, backing vocals* Ahrue Luster - lead guitars* Dave McClain - drums-Chart positions:...
(1999) - SuperchargerSupercharger (album)-Personnel:* Robb Flynn - vocals, guitar* Ahrue Luster - lead guitar* Adam Duce - bass* Dave McClain - drums-Chart positions:...
(2001) - HellaliveHellalive-Personnel:*Robb Flynn - vocals, guitar*Phil Demmel - Lead guitar *Adam Duce - Bass guitar*Dave McClain - drums*Ahrue Luster - Lead guitar -Chart positions:...
(2003)