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.
Angeles del Infernio (Angles From Hell) are one of Spain’s most successful hard rock/hair metal acts, and bring to a live show everything you can expect from a hair metal act – over the top costumes, over the top theatrics, over the top vocals – you name it, it will be over the top. In a so easily parodied genre, the band still manage to play their set with gusto and, in more recent years, perhaps a hint of irony. Although three decades since they emerged, Angeles Del Infierno can still play with energy and skill, and although there is perhaps less movement (and hair!) on stage than there would have been in their late 80s heyday, they still pack a powerful punch live, with lead singer Juan Gallardo on fine form, engaging the audience well, with his 30 years’ experience coming into play – he knows exactly how to work them up into a frenzy before some of the bands most well known songs to close the set. While the language barrier could be a problem for some people, the show they put on is good enough that it doesn’t matter if you know, or understand, the lyrics, you still are guaranteed to walk away from their set impressed with the skill of the band.
Rata Blanca (English: White Rat) is an Argentinean band that is showing the world, one show at a time, that Buenos Aires knows how to rock…hard. Since their inception in the late 80s, the heavy metal band currently consisting of Adrian Barilari, Fernando Scarcella, Walter Giardino, Guillermo Sanchez and Danilo Moschen continue to travel the world to play their live shows for their fans (with the exception of the three year hiatus that they took).
I’m not really a heavy metal fan, and I only speak English, which is why it is actually really interesting to watch Rata Blanca’s live set. I’ve been to a few metal shows, as per request of my friends, but to witness a metal show done entirely in Spanish seemed to redefine my opinions of the genre in general. I guess it was because I could see the complexity of the genre if you take away the meanings (lyrics) of the song and concentrate entirely on the instrumentals. With only the flashes of the spotlight on the band, your really couldn’t get a good look of the band, but damn is there sound massive. It is an in your face heavy guitar, heavy drums experience.
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.