Hirax is an American thrash metal band from Buena Park, California. Starting in 1984 under the leadership of vocalist Katon W. De Pena, the band played in Los Angeles and San Francisco with the other new thrash metal bands of the area such as Metallica, Exodus and Slayer. The band was a clear example of the thrash/speed metal/crossover genre. After releasing some demos, Hirax signed with Metal Blade and debuted with their first full-length, "Raging Violence" in 1985.