Introduction
Antonio Campos (born March 8, 1973) is an American musician. He is the current bassist for the industrial metal bands Static-X and Fear Factory and the vocalist and bassist for the extreme metal band Asesino. He has previously played with Prong, Soulfly, Ministry, Possessed, and Brujeria. Following the death of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Wayne Static and the resurrection of Static-X, Campos is the longest-serving member of the group and the only one to appear on every album.
Career
Campos was part of the original lineup of Static-X, playing bass and performing backing vocals on all of the group's studio albums. Along with Wayne Static, he was one of the legal owners of the Static-X name, even though he did not participate in the band's temporary reunion from 2012 to 2013.
In 2001, Campos broke his collarbone in a motorcycle accident, leaving him unable to play in the Extreme Steel Tour, headlined by Pantera. He continued to sing backing vocals on the tour, and Marty O'Brien took over bass duties with Static-X.
In 2002, Campos joined the Mexican-American metal group Asesino. His stage name, "Maldito X", is Spanish for "Damned X".
Campos was a member of Buck Satan and the 666 Shooters from 2006 to 2012, and he played bass with Ministry during four stints (2007–2008, 2011–2012, 2014–2016, 2017–2019), following the death of Paul Raven.
From 2011 to 2012, he was a member of the death metal band Possessed. In 2011, he also joined Soulfly, remaining with the band until 2015, when he joined Fear Factory. He has also toured with Cavalera Conspiracy, in 2012–2014, 2016–2017, and 2020.
In October 2018, Campos announced that he and the other two surviving original members of Static-X—guitarist Koichi Fukuda and drummer Ken Jay—had reformed the band and were planning to release a new album and tour in 2019 in memory of Wayne Static, who had died in 2014.
Band history
Influences
Campos has cited Blasko, Cliff Burton, Dan Lilker, Jeff Hanneman, and Kerry King as influences.
Equipment
- Zon Legacy 5-string with EMG MM5CS pickups
- Neal Moser Custom Shop Scimitar (P-bass style) 4-string with EMG-P pickup, tuned BbFBbEb
- Fernandes Tremor 5-strings with EMG-40DC pickups, tuned BbFBbEbAb
- SWR SM-900 head, SWR Goliath Senior 6x10 cab
- Tech 21 SansAmp PSA-1 preamp, Dunlop 105Q Bass Wah, Line 6 Bass POD
- Fernandes five-string signature Tremor bass guitars with EMG-40HZ and MM5CS pickups
Personal life
Campos majored in computer science before becoming a musician. He is an avid video gamer and considers the Doom and Halo series his all-time favorites.
Discography
Static-X
- Wisconsin Death Trip (1999)
- Machine (2001)
- Shadow Zone (2003)
- Start a War (2005)
- Cannibal (2007)
- Cult of Static (2009)
- Project: Regeneration Vol. 1 (2020)
- Project: Regeneration Vol. 2 (2024)
Asesino
- Corridos de Muerte (2002)
- Cristo Satánico (2006)
Buck Satan and the 666 Shooters
- Bikers Welcome Ladies Drink Free (2011)
Ministry
- Relapse (2012)
- From Beer to Eternity (2013)
- AmeriKKKant (2018)
Soulfly
- Enslaved (2012)
- Savages (2013)
- Archangel (2015)
Prong
- Carved into Stone (2012)
Attika 7
- Blood of My Enemies (2012)
As guest member
| Year | Band | Album | Track(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Divine Heresy | Bleed the Fifth | "Rise of the Scorned" and "Closure" |
| 2011 | Otep | Atavist | "Drunk on the Blood of Saints" and "Remember to Forget" |
| 2015 | Taipan | Straight from the Underground | "Straight from the Underground" |
| 2020 | Mick Gordon | Doom Eternal soundtrack | Member of the "Heavy Metal Choir" |