It was founded by the singer and guitarrist Andrés Giménez in 1992 in Buenos Aires, Argentina with Aníbal Aló on drums and Marcelo Corvalán on bass and backing vocals.
They originally formed under the name of "Animal", but due to legal issues the name was quickly changed to the actual version. A.N.I.M.A.L.'s sound is that of heavy metal and most lyrics are in defense and in favor of ethnic minorities and original peoples of Latin America; this can be seen in many song titles like Solo Por Ser Indios ("Only For Being Indian"), Guerra De Razas ("Race War"), Poder Latino ("Latin Power") and Raza Castigada ("Punished Race").
The band's success grew taking it to play in most Latin American countries, the United States and Europe. In 1999, Iongtime bassist Marcelo "Corvata" Corvalan and then drummer Andres Vilanova (who joined the band at age 17, replacing Martín Carrizo) left the band . Marcelo and Andres were replaced by Cristian Lapolla and Marcelo Castro, however around this time the band entered a clear and slow downward spiral as many fans started losing interest in it.
After a year or so, Marcelo Castro was replaced by Javier Dorado who had briefly joined the band back in 1993 and was replaced in 2004 by Martín Carrizo who rejoined the band.
In 2006 it was announced that the band would take an indefinite break; this resulted in Martín Carrizo's (drummer) leaving the band and Andrés Giménez forming a new band called D'mente (word play meaning both demente ("lunatic") and devil mente ("devil mind", Andres' nickname).
Former members Marcelo "Corvata" Corvalan and Andres Vilanova now play together in the band carajo.
Guerreros urbanos
A.N.I.M.A.L. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Buscando alimento en los hoyos
Del suelo, olfateando
La sucia basura encontrada
Con fuertes quijadas
Siempre preparada a morder
Somos la nueva cultura viva
Somos mezcla de dolor y lucha
Que predica su sana locura
Callejera alternativa barrial
Escribiendo su destino mutual
Alejando lo que menos gusta
Procurando no perder la calma
Las venas de evoluciân
Est n dentro tuyo
Crecen cada dia mas
Rescatando las raices puras
De los reales due¸os de la tierra
Nos volvemos guerreros urbanos
Y danzamos golpeando los cuerpos
The lyrics of "Guerreros Urbanos" by A.N.I.M.A.L. describes the life of wild, hungry dogs searching for food in the garbage-filled holes in the ground, using their sharp jaws to bite down on anything they can find. The song asserts that they are the new living culture, a mixture of pain and struggle, who believe in their vast family that preaches its own unique brand of healthy madness. They are a street wise, alternative, community-driven group that writes their mutual destiny, ignoring petty dislikes, and striving not to lose their cool. The evolution of veins within them is growing stronger, enhancing their pure roots and reminding their real role as the earth's true owners. The song finishes by encouraging the people to become urban warriors and dance freely in the act of hitting bodies.
The lyrics of "Guerreros Urbanos" are indicative of the band's message of energetic liberation and rebellion against societal norms. They represent the common theme of the Argentinean punk rock genre, promoting action and self-discovery. The song encourages people to recognize their worth and rise above the impoverished lives seen in the streets, exemplified through the metaphor of the scavenging dogs. The author's intention is to depict the struggle of everyday life, while encouraging people to keep striving for a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
Somos salvajes perros hambrientos
We are wild, hungry dogs
Buscando alimento en los hoyos
Searching for food in holes
Del suelo, olfateando
From the ground, smelling
La sucia basura encontrada
The dirty trash found
Con fuertes quijadas
With strong jaws
Siempre preparada a morder
Always ready to bite
Somos la nueva cultura viva
We are the new living culture
Somos mezcla de dolor y lucha
We are a mixture of pain and struggle
Creemos en esta basta familia
We believe in this vast family
Que predica su sana locura
That preaches its healthy madness
Callejera alternativa barrial
Street alternative neighborhood
Escribiendo su destino mutual
Writing their mutual destiny
Alejando lo que menos gusta
Avoiding what is least liked
Procurando no perder la calma
Trying not to lose their calm
Las venas de evoluciân
The veins of evolution
Est n dentro tuyo
Are inside you
Crecen cada dia mas
Growing every day more
Rescatando las raices puras
Rescuing the pure roots
De los reales due¸os de la tierra
Of the real owners of the land
Nos volvemos guerreros urbanos
We become urban warriors
Y danzamos golpeando los cuerpos
And we dance hitting bodies
Contributed by Ethan D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.