The idea behind Mägo de Oz stemmed from the band's drummer Txus di Fellatio, who first began putting the band together in 1989. It took him three whole years to settle on a full-time line-up, during which time the band created their first three demo tapes under the name Transilvania, and by 1992, the band had made their live debut at a festival called the “"Concurso Villa de Madrid". It was another two years before the band recorded their debut album and changed their name to Mägo de Oz, but while their eponymous first record was well received by those who heard it, very few people actually heard it. Although the next two years would prove to be incredibly trying for the band as they were plagued by line-up troubles, their second album, 1996's “Jesús de Chamberí” would save their career.
Thanks to the album's strong sales, a succesful tour of their native country in 1997 would cement their reputation as the hottest new metal band in Spain. Ever since then, the band have grown to become genuine titans in their home country, with huge, ostentatious live shows at festivals and arenas to match their standing as true rock stars. Theyve also made an impact overseas, with their gospel spreading to United States as well as all over Europe. At the helm of it all is still Txus after over two and a half decades, and the band don't show any signs of slowing down yet, 13 albums and counting into their career. For proving that success can come no matter how strange or esoteric a band is, Mägo de Oz come highly recommended.
If I’m completely honest, this band, Mago de Oz (Spanish for Wizard Oz), are pretty darn weird, bringing to the table the strangest concoction of metal, folk, Celtic music and symphonic metal – I know. How strange right?! This band are from Comunidad de Madrid in Spain, are truly individual. This Celtic Metal is a real thing, where bands like Dragonforce and Iron Maiden have dueling guitars bouncing off of each other in the most intricate harmony; this band has a violinist and a flautists alongside their dueling guitarists. The whole journey is just pretty mind blowing, I don’t know what to make of them. They’ve released 15 studio albums and 4 live albums, giving them and endless back catalogue to choose from for this set this evening. One of the lasting thoughts that I have with me is that this band’s fans are relentless. They know every single word to every single song; they have their hands in the air for this whole show throwing up their horns. Just insane, and impressive.