Brujeria is an American extreme metal band formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1989. Known for their provocative themes, Brujeria incorporates Spanish lyrics that focus on topics such as Satanism, anti-Christianity, immigration, narcotics smuggling, and political commentary. The band's imagery often reflects Mexican culture, and many of its members are of Hispanic and Latino descent. The name "Brujeria" translates to "witchcraft" in Spanish.

A distinctive feature of Brujeria is the use of pseudonyms by its members, which helps create an air of mystery around the band. In their public appearances, they often wear bandanas, balaclavas, and traditional Mexican garments, such as serapes, and are frequently depicted wielding machetes. The group portrays itself as a band of drug lords who hide their identities because they are supposedly wanted by law enforcement.

Formation and Early Releases (1989–1992)
Brujeria was formed at a party in 1989 with the aim of creating a grindcore and death metal band that represented the Latino/Chicano community. Original members included guitarist Dino Cazares, vocalist Juan Brujo, drummer Pat Hoed, bass guitarist Billy Gould, and vocalist Jello Biafra. Most of the members were involved in other well-known bands, and they adopted pseudonyms to keep their identities concealed.

The band released its first single, "¡Demoniaco!" in 1990, followed by "Machetazos" in 1992. These early releases were produced by Jello Biafra's record label, Alternative Tentacles. "Machetazos" marked the first major lineup change, with Jello Biafra leaving the group and Raymond Herrera joining as the drummer. Pat Hoed also transitioned from drums to become a second vocalist. The band's lyrics, heavily influenced by the infamous Cuban-American drug smuggler and serial killer Adolfo Constanzo, caused controversy, especially because they explored themes like drug smuggling, Satanism, and sex.

Matando Güeros and Early Controversy (1993–1994)
Brujeria’s 1993 debut album, Matando Güeros, sparked controversy due to its cover art, which depicted a severed head. This image became a symbol of the band and was later featured on their merchandise. The severed head, referred to as "Coco Loco," became the band's mascot. This album also introduced Shane Embury, who joined the group on guitar and bass.

Rise in Popularity: Raza Odiada, Marijuana, and Spanglish 101 (1995–1999)
In 1995, Brujeria released Raza Odiada, which received critical acclaim for its refined musical style. The album featured the track "La Ley De Plomo," which gained significant airplay, including on late-night heavy metal shows on MTV. Despite their rising popularity, Brujeria maintained their anonymity and rarely performed live, puzzling their fans.

In 1997, the band released the EP Marijuana, which included a parody of the hit song "The Macarena," as well as four live tracks from their first official concert. In 1999, they contributed new tracks to the compilation Spanglish 101, a protest against the dominance of the English language. The compilation included "Marcha de Odio," which would later appear on their next album, Brujerizmo.

Brujerizmo and Commercial Success (2000–2001)
Released in 2000, Brujerizmo was the band's third full-length album and marked a shift in their sound. The album featured contributions from Nick Barker on drums and Jesse Pintado on guitar. This was the last album to feature original members Dino Cazares and Billy Gould. Following the album’s success, Brujeria released a compilation titled Mextremist! Greatest Hits in 2001, which included alternate versions of tracks, remixes, and collaborations, as well as rare and unreleased material.

Hiatus and Side Projects (2002–2006)
After the release of Mextremist! Greatest Hits, the band faced internal conflict, which led to a hiatus. Raymond Herrera left the band in 2002 due to personal issues related to his other band, Fear Factory, which had recently split and reformed without Cazares. This period also saw the formation of several side projects by Brujeria members, such as Asesino, featuring Tony Campos and Emilio Marquez.

During this hiatus, Brujeria occasionally resurfaced with new material, including the release of a DVD titled Permission of Satan, which documented the recording process of side projects and included live performances.

Reunion and Tours (2007–2015)
Brujeria reformed in 2007 and embarked on the "Weapon of Change Tour," which took them across the U.S., Europe, and Latin America. The lineup during this period included founding members Juan Brujo and Shane Embury, as well as Jeff Walker on bass and Adrian Erlandsson on drums.

In 2008, Brujeria continued to tour extensively, performing at festivals in Europe and South America. Despite rumors of new material, it wasn't until 2014 that the band signed with Nuclear Blast Records to release their fourth studio album.

Pocho Aztlan and Continued Activism (2016–2020)
In 2016, Brujeria released Pocho Aztlan, their first studio album in sixteen years. The album explored themes of immigration, identity, and resistance, continuing the band's long-standing tradition of politically charged lyrics. Pocho Aztlan marked the first time that new members Hongo Jr., El Cynico, El Sangrón, and Cuernito contributed to a Brujeria album.

Brujeria followed up the album with several politically charged singles, including "Viva Presidente Trump!" in 2016 and "COVID-666" in 2020, the latter of which was inspired by the global pandemic. The band remained active during this period, frequently touring and releasing new music.

Esto Es Brujeria and Recent Developments (2023–present)
On July 14, 2023, Brujeria released the single "Mochado," the first track from their new album Esto Es Brujeria. The album was released on September 15, 2023, continuing the band's legacy of aggressive music with strong political themes. The album marks the first Brujeria release since Pocho Aztlan and includes contributions from the band's current members, such as El Sangrón and La Bruja Encabronada.

Brujeria faced a significant loss in July 2024 with the passing of long-time member Pinche Peach, who died of heart failure at the age of 57.

Band Members
The current lineup of Brujeria includes founding member Juan Brujo on vocals, Pat Hoed on bass and vocals, and Shane Embury, who has played various instruments over the years. Other current members include El Sangrón, La Bruja Encabronada, Sergio Lopez, and Sativo.

Former members include notable musicians such as Jello Biafra, Dino Cazares, Raymond Herrera, and Nick Barker. Despite numerous lineup changes, Brujeria has remained committed to their unique blend of extreme metal and politically charged lyrics.

Discography Highlights
Brujeria's discography includes several influential albums, such as Matando Güeros (1993), Raza Odiada (1995), Brujerizmo (2000), and Pocho Aztlan (2016). They have also released numerous EPs and singles, many of which have sparked controversy due to their provocative themes.

Their latest album, Esto Es Brujeria (2023), continues to explore themes of resistance and social justice, further cementing their status as a pioneering band in the extreme metal scene.

Despite their confrontational style and controversial themes, Brujeria has built a dedicated fanbase over the years and continues to influence bands in the extreme metal genre.