Spain: Mägo de Oz (Metal)

Location: Madrid, Spain (1989 - present);

Genres: Folk Metal;

Current line-up: Txus Di Fellatio (drums), Carlitos (lead guitars), Mohamed (violin), Jose Andrëa (vocals), Frank (rythym guitars), Kiskilla (keyboards), Peri (bass), Patricia Tapia (vocals) and Josema (flute).

"MAGO DE OZ is one of the most popular original bands from Madrid. Their creative and distinctive blend of Heavy Metal and Celtic styles, plus dynamic in-your-face performances, have won them acclaim from both fans and press. Playing to sold-out audiences throughout Spain and South America, they are consistently found on the Top 10 Charts.

Drummer Txus formed MAGO DE OZ in the mid 80's. The band's early popularity was apparent as they made the 1992 finals of the "Villa de Madrid" Rock Contest. They released their first album in 1994 - Mago de Oz. The band toured Spain, and earned the title Best New Rock Band of 1995, 1996.

El Fin Del Caminho from Jesus de Chamberi (1996)

After their successful tour, the band started recording their second album. The Rock Opera - Jesus de Chamberi - was released in 1996 by their current label, Locomotive Music. This was followed by another tour throughout Spain, playing to sold-out audiences. MAGO DE OZ returned to the studio in 1997 to revisit their first album. The result is a more polished sound.

Their third album - La Leyenda de la Mancha - was released in 1998. Influenced by Cervantes' Quixote, this innovative album showcases powerful guitar riffs, Celtic melodies of bagpipes, flute and violin, and a great production.

Molinos De Viento from La Leyenda de la Mancha (1998)

During 1999, the band played more than 115 performances, earning them the title of "hardest working Spanish band". MAGO DE OZ continues to set the pace for the popular resurgence of Spanish Heavy Metal. They have proudly represented Spain at the Eurometal Festival, playing with bands such as GAMMA RAY, STRATOVARIOUS, and ANGRA.

MÄGO DE OZ has opened the way to the conceptual albums, also called Opera Rock, in this decade.

Fiesta Pagana from Finis Terra (2000)

Their latest album Finis Terra, released May 2000, went GOLD before the year ended.This is a double album, recorded in studio, with 20 tracks, that is about a story of a travelling going across the Camino de Santiago.

Musically, MAGO DE OZ manage to offer all to the best. Finis Terra starts off with an interesting bagpipe and flute intro, followed by Satania kick-starting the album with thundering double-bass and solo-violin, and the electric guitars giving you the Power Metal you desire. The title song, Finisterra has all the creative guns blazing during 16 minutes of acoustic guitars, piano, violin, flute, and even an accordion.

Satania from Finis Terra (2000)

MÄGO DE OZ is doing their first inclusions in new countries where they begin to be known their adventures and where they have got an amazing and big success, it's Mexico case (with two tours), Venezuela, Portugal, Germany (Festivals like Wacken Open Air 2001 and Bang Your Head 2002). MÄGO DE OZ exhausting sucsess with ..Finis Terra´ has got platinum disc in Spain.

MÄGO DE OZ has recorded a big part of their shows of their last tour, which will be the songs that will be included in their double new album called ..Fölktergeist´, to be released soon, where they will collect their best songs and where it’s also recorded the devoted audience that go with them. With this new album, MÄGO DE OZ will do a 5 months tour that will carry them all over the world”

Discography:

1989 - Y qué más da (Demo)

1990 - Canción de Cuna para un Bohemio (Demo)

1992 - Con la Cabeza bien Alta (Demo)

1994 - Mägo de Oz (Full-length)

1996 - Jesús de Chamberí (Full-length)

1997 - La Bruja (EP)

1998 - La Leyenda de la Mancha (Full-length)

2000 - Finisterra (Full-length)

2003 - Gaia (Full-length)

2004 - Belfast (Full-length)

2005 - Gaia II: La voz dormida (Full-length)

2007 - La Ciudad de los Árboles (Full-length)

2010 - Gaia III: Atlantia (Full-length)

2010 - Gaia - Epílogo (Full-length)

You can find more information on their official website and follow Mägo de Oz on Mypace, and Facebook.