Yana Raymi is a folk‑metal band from Huancayo, JunĂn, active since 2004 and born from the transformation of Indoraza, the earlier project led by the Castro brothers. Their name comes from the Kranium track “Intro: Yana Raymi”, anchoring the band in the lineage of Peruvian pagan and Andean‑rooted metal. Their music blends Andean mythology, Wanka worldview, Inca cultural memory, and regional folk instrumentation with heavy metal, making them one of the most representative Andean folk‑metal acts in Peru.
The transition from Indoraza to Yana Raymi in 2004 marked a shift toward a more defined Andean folk‑metal identity. Led by Jhon Castro and Jim Castro, the band incorporated quena, siku, antara, and other traditional wind instruments, weaving them into metal structures. Their lyrical themes revolve around mythic battles, ancestral resistance, Wanka legends, and Inca cosmology, reflecting the cultural heritage of the central highlands.
Their imagery and compositions emphasize:
This approach has positioned them as cultural transmitters as much as musicians.
The current lineup reflects a stable core enriched by traditional instrumentation:
Past members include early drummers, wind‑instrument performers, and vocalists who shaped the band’s formative years, especially during the transition from Indoraza.
Yana Raymi’s discography traces their evolution from raw folk‑metal demos to fully realized Andean metal albums:
These recordings established their raw, melodic, and culturally rooted identity.
Their later material shows stronger production, more elaborate folk arrangements, and a clearer narrative focus on Wanka identity and Andean resistance.
Yana Raymi is considered one of the central pillars of Andean folk metal in Peru. Their importance comes from:
Their music stands as a bridge between ancestral memory and contemporary metal, making them one of the most culturally significant folk‑metal acts in the country.
| Current | |
| Jhon Castro | Guitars (2004-present) |
| See also:Â Yawar Simi, ex-Indoraza | |
| Jim Castro | Vocals, Bass (2004-present) |
| See also: ex-Indoraza | |
| Luis Sarapura | Drums (2015-present) |
| See also:Â Smilodons, ex-Viotype | |
| Jhean Carlos Ayala | Wind instruments (2017-present) |
| Past | |
| Josué Flores | Drums |
| John | Quena, Siku |
| See also:Â Indoraza | |
| Andy Aguilar | Unknown |
| Wendy | Vocals (female)Â (?-2006) |
| Luis Pariona | Vocals, Guitars (?-2008) |
| See also: Indoraza, Mantas, ex-Ancestral, ex-Inclementor (live) | |
| Evid Ordoñez | Wind instruments |
| Coro de leyenda | Demo | 2005 | |
| Ayllu Sañachkan | Demo | 2006 | |
| The Time of Revenge | Split | 2007 | |
| Ethnic Death Metal | Demo | 2007 | |
| A las armas... | Demo | 2009 | |
| Demos 2004 - 2011 | Compilation | 2011 | |
| Guerreros del Sol | Full-length | 2012 | Â |
| Legado ancestral | Compilation | 2016 | Â |
| Yana Allqo | Full-length | 2018 | Â |
| Ancho y ajeno | Single | 2021 | Â |
| La resistencia continĂşa... | Compilation | 2022 | Â |
| La marcha de los wankas | Single | 2023 | Â |
| El gigante de los ojos blancos | Single | 2024 | Â |
| Vencer o morir | Full-length | 2024 |