Eric Ortiz (born December 14, 1979) — known professionally as Cirex — is a Puerto Rican-American musician, composer, and music producer recognized for blending heavy electronic genres such as drum and bass, dubstep, industrial, hip-hop beats, and metal guitar into a hybrid sound often described as electronic metal.
Below is a more detailed, extended biography covering his background, career development, and musical style.
Early Life and Background
Eric Ortiz was born in Brooklyn, New York, and raised largely in Puerto Rico, where he spent much of his youth immersed in music and the local rock scene.
His early exposure to music began during adolescence when he received an electric guitar, which sparked his interest in heavy music and songwriting. From there he gradually expanded into multiple instruments—including bass, guitar, and drums—eventually developing into a multi-instrumentalist and composer.
Ortiz’s musical influences span across several genres. While rooted in metal, he later drew inspiration from electronic and industrial artists, which shaped the experimental sound that would later define his project Cirex.
Creation of the Cirex Project
The Cirex project began around 2005 as a side project while Ortiz was involved in other musical groups, including the band Neuttro.
Eventually he decided to focus on the project full-time and adopted the name “Cirex,” derived from his own name “Eric” spelled backwards, with an added “X” symbolizing a Christian cross, reflecting his personal religious philosophy.
The concept behind Cirex was to create a one-man musical laboratory combining heavy guitars with electronic programming and digital production.
Debut and Early Releases
In 2009, Cirex released the debut album The Lab, a largely instrumental project recorded and produced primarily by Ortiz himself.
The album featured:
Electronic programming
Metal-style guitar riffs
Drum-and-bass rhythms
Industrial textures
It was co-produced with Wil Martin, a member of the American rock band Earshot.
This debut established Cirex as a DIY multi-instrumentalist project, with Ortiz performing and programming most of the instruments himself.
Expanding Career and Collaborations
Cirex continued to expand musically in the following years, releasing albums and singles while collaborating with musicians from various scenes.
Notable collaborators include:
Eduardo Paniagua – drummer of the Puerto Rican metal band Puya
Danny Diablo
Cristian Lapolla from A.N.I.M.A.L
Hip-hop artist NK Profeta
These collaborations reinforced Cirex’s cross-genre approach by merging Latin rock, metal, hip-hop, and electronic music.
Music in Film and Media
Cirex’s music has also appeared in film and other media. One of his tracks was used in the action film Taken, helping expose his music to wider audiences.
He has also composed music for independent films and radio programming.
Musical Style
Cirex’s music is often characterized by:
Genre fusion
Drum and Bass
Dubstep
Industrial Metal
Hip-Hop production
Cinematic scoring
His sound typically features:
Aggressive electronic beats
Distorted metal guitar riffs
Complex rhythms and syncopation
Dark, cinematic atmospheres
Because of this mixture, his style has been compared to acts combining metal and electronic music such as industrial rock or EDM-metal hybrids.
Discography (Selected) Albums
The Lab (2009)
Nietzsche Is Dead (2012)
Trialism (2015)
Midnight (2024)
Nucleo (2025)
Beatz (2025)
This Is Me (2026)
EPs
Camera Obscura (2014)
Cosmology (2015)
Philosophy and Personal Themes
Ortiz’s work often incorporates philosophical and spiritual themes. His worldview is influenced by Christian theology, particularly ideas related to Arianism, which occasionally shape the conceptual aspects of his music and lyrics.
In summary:
Cirex is a Puerto Rican independent musician and producer known for fusing metal with electronic genres, building a career as a largely self-produced artist who combines heavy instrumentation with modern digital production. His work spans multiple genres and collaborations while maintaining a strong DIY approach.