Spain: WarCry (Metal)

Location: Oviedo, Spain (1992 - present);

Genres: Power Metal

Current line-up: Víctor Garcia (vocals), Rafael Yugueros (drums), Pablo Gárcia (guitars), Roberto García (bass), Santi Novoa (keyboards);

"In the middle of 2001, while working in Spanish power metal band Avalanch, vocalist Víctor García and drummer Alberto Ardines decided to record an album with the songs they had been composing in their spare time. Upon learning of García and Ardines' project, the other members of Avalanch disapproved of it and expelled them from the band.

García has stated that he presented many of his ideas to Avalanch, but received writing credit on only two released songs: Aquí Estaré and Por Mi Libertad. Aquí Estaré had barely been accepted by the band, but went on to become one of Avalanch's most popular songs, so, he decided "to release a couple of songs, but never with the idea of leaving Avalanch”.

Contra el Viento from ¿Dónde Está la Luz? (2005)

WarCry had always been Víctor García's idea of a band. In 1992 he formed a band named War-Cry, playing as guitarist, but disbanded it in 1994 when he became the rhythm guitarist for Avalanch. After leaving Avalanch, in February 1996, he reformed the group as WarCry, this time acting as songwriter and lead vocalist.

They recorded a demo entitled Demon 97, but disbanded again a year later when Víctor rejoined Avalanch as lead singer. After being expelled from Avalanch, Víctor showed Ardines the name and logo of WarCry. Ardines felt that those were "fantastic", and that they should continue working on their new musical project, as they already had an "open path".

Nana from Warcry (2002)

They were joined by Pablo García and Fernando Mon, and recorded their debut album WarCry which was released on April 17, 2002. Shortly after the album's recording they were joined by bassist Alvaro Jardón, formerly of Darna. The album received several positive reviews, with Japanese rock magazine Karma calling it "a Spanish album that boosts true metal!", and Kerrang! declaring it a "very good debut from a very good band that has pleasantly surprised everyone".

Un Mar De Estrellas from El Sello De Los Tiempos (2002)

WarCry's second album, El Sello De Los Tiempos, was released in December 2002 through Avispa. Kerrang! stated that "the band led by García and Ardines has demonstrated with this record that overcoming and improving is possible". Radial Awards and the magazine Heavy Rock awarded WarCry "revelation band of the year".

In August 2003 they began recording a third album - Alea Jacta Est - that was released on January 1, 2004 through Avispa Music. The album was well-received by critics, with Metal Archives stating that "WarCry has become the biggest metal band in Spain after this 3rd release". Francisco Fonseca categorized it as "the best power metal album sung in Spanish", with "a more progressive approach than their usual straigh­tforward power metal". Metal Symphony called it "one of the best Spanish albums of the year".

Aire from Alea Jacta Est (2004)

In mid-2004 the band began to work on their fourth album ¿Dónde Está La Luz?. The album was released on February 1, 2005 through Avispa, debuting at #16 in Spain, and was noted for its lack of double bass drum and more social themes in the lyrics. Both Rolling Stone and Metal Storm declared it "WarCry's heaviest album to date", while El Gráfico said that "WarCry's metal reinvents itself steadily". Such positive reception helped WarCry to increase their exposure throughout Europe.

El más triste adiós from La Quinta Esencia (2006)

While touring WarCry had begun work on their fifth studio album - La Quinta Esencia. It was released on September 18, 2006, the same day that the band received a gold sales certification for Directo A La Luz.

In February 2008 Manuel Ramil was expelled from the group due to his inability to participate in much of the recording of the band's new album. Ramil remarked that he was skeptical that physical distance was the true reason that he was expelled from the band, as the group had been working in that manner for five years already.  Shortly after, Ramil, Ardines, Mon, and vocalist Toni Amboaje formed a new band called Sauze. These lineup changes forced WarCry to delay the release of their upcoming sixth album from May to September 2008.

In 2011, their seventh album – Alfa – was released.

Discography:

1997 – Demon 97 (demo)

2002 - Warcry (full-length)

2002 – Ell Sello de Los Tiempos (full-length)

2004 – Single (single)

2004 – Alea Jacta Est (full-length)

2005 - ¿Dónde Está la Luz? (full-length)

2006 – La Quinta Esencia (full-length)

2008 – Revolución (full-length)

2011 - Alfa

You can find more information their official website, and follow them on Myspace, Facebook and YouTube.

Spain: Moho (Metal)

Location: Madrid, Spain (2003 - present);

Genres: Sludge;

Current line-up: Iñaki (bass, vocals), Edu (drums) and Raúl (guitar);

“MOHO is the product of spending several hours in the rehearsal room and the influence of cult bands like Electric Wizard, Bongzilla, Black Sabbath, High On Fire, etc…”

Garage Champion from Chotacabra (2008)

“The band starts playing live in summer 2003 receiving good critics. These first shows are the beginning of a series of gigs happening almost each weekend throughout the whole country.

In October 2003 the band goes on a mini European tour through France, Germany and Denmark. The response in these shows was really good so the band begins to make a name itself into the underground European scene. Everybody talks about their powerful live shows and musicianship.

Chotacabra from Chotacabra (2008)

During a break in that tour, the band records their first album 20 uñas, in Paris, in only session, which was released in June 2004 through Throne Records in Europe and Shifty Records in the States.

They play in more and more shows after that tour, until March 2004, when they go on tour again supporting BRAINOIL during 22 concerts in 22 days in countries like France, Spain, Germany or Belgium.

The public response is superb again and everybody that has seen the band speaks about the powerful live shows of MOHO.

El Duelo from He Visto La Cruz Al Revés (2006)

Their first album - 20 Unãs - was released in June 2004, receiving some excellent reviews from the underground press and followers.

Discography:

2003 – Demo (demo)

2004 – 20 Unãs (full-length)

2006 - He Visto La Cruz Al Revés (full-length)

2006 - Waterloo (split)

2008 – Moho (EP)

2008 - Chotacabra (full-length)

You can follow them on their Myspace page.

Spain: Avalanch (Metal)

Location: Asturias, Spain (1988 - present);

Genres: Power Metal; Heavy Metal

Current line-up: Marco Álvarez (drums), Francisco Fidalgo (bass), Alberto Rionda (guitars), Ramón Lage (vocals), Dany León (guitars) and Roberto Junquera (keyboards);

Avalanch started as Speed Demons (1988 - 1989). They changed their name to Avalanch in 1993. Led by composer, producer and guitar player Alberto Rionda, the band has released 6 studio albums, plus a handful of compilations, DVDs and English versions of their works.

Lucero from Los Poetas Han Muerto (2003)

"The Asturian band Avalanch takes to one long trajectory combining heavy metal of its beginnings with a more modern rock of doubtless metallic influence in the present, incorporating to its music elements of hard rock, pop and folk.

Xana from El Ángel Caído (2001)

Their discs are published in several European and American countries, and habitually make tours outside of Spain, mainly in Latin America. In 1993, a scale model long play in called vinyl format is published - Ready To The Glory - with a totally different formation.

That same year is gotten up to the band Alberto Rionda, that from that moment assumes the workings of composer and main guitarist and producing musical comedy of Avalanch. Fruit of this work, in 1997 sends their first professional disc - La llama eterna."

Alas De Cristal from El Hijo Pródigo (2005)

"They have been described as one of the leading Spanish-language power metal bands.”

Discography:

1997 - La Llama Eterna

1999 - Llanto De Un Héroe

2001 - El Ángel Caído

2003 - Los Poetas Han Muerto

2005 - El Hijo Pródigo

2007 - Muerte Y Vida

2010 - El Ladrón De Sueños

You can find more information on their official website, and follow them on Myspace, Facebook and Twitter.

Spain: Exxasens (Rock)

Location: Barcelona, Spain (2007 - present);

Genres: Post-Rock, Space Rock, Instrumental Rock;

"Not having a defined music style is certainly the main appeal of EXXASENS proposal. The EXXASENS universe is full of sound landscapes which take the listener to a rich world of beautiful and powerful melodies. This could be the homeland of post-rock bands such as Mogwai or Explosions in the Sky, a place full of nice melodies with strong guitar atmospheres. EXXASENS style tries to go beyond by introducing progressive metal.

Polaris from Polaris (2008)

EXXASENS was born in April 2007 in Barcelona as a solo project by Jordi Ruiz, guitarist of Playmotive and Kyba bands. Back then, Jordi began to compose and produce songs at his place only using a computer and his guitar, with the only purpose of passing the time.

Then, he decided to create a small home studio to enhance the potential for creation and improve the quality of his compositions. As a result he uploaded a song monthly on his myspace. Within a few months, he received over 10,000 visits and very good reviews.

Spatial exploration by humans is his main inspiration source for this work. One year after its inception and after composing 12 songs, the new independent label Counsoling Sounds decided to go for EXXASENS. On May 10th 2008 an initial release of 100 copies was published under the name POLARIS.

Spiders on the moon from Polaris (2008)

This first album has 10 instrumental songs that connect the listener with an inner world of melodies and sound effects. Themes like Spiders on the moon which narrates Apollo XI's journey to the moon, Polaris which describes the immensity of the universe or Gamma Channel which recreates one of the passages of Orson Wells' War of the Worlds, define what EXXASENS tries to convey through his music.

Sky in Red from Beyond The Universe (2009)

His last published work gets good reviews from webzines on the internet as The Silent Ballet or Metal Observer or specialized magazines as Visions in Germany or Mondo Sonoro in Spain.”

Scince will save us from Eleven Miles (2011)

Exxasens’s third album – Eleven Miles – is available since September 11^th through Aloud Music LTD.

Discography:

2008 - Polaris

2009 - Beyond The Universe

2011 - Eleven Miles

You can find more information about Exxasens on it's official website, and follow it on Myspace, Facebook and Twitter.

Just a year ago after POLARIS, Consouling Sound releases August 27, 2009 their second album - BEYOND THE UNIVERSE -  13 songs more elaborate than his earlier work, which will transport the listener into a universe where an elaborate soundscapes melodic section full of guitars surround delays is particularly prominent.

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.

Spain: Toundra (Rock)

Location: Madrid, Spain (2007 - present);

Genres: Post-Rock, Instrumental Rock;

Current line-up: Víctor (guitar), Esteban (guitar), Alberto (bass) and Alex (drums);

"Toundra is an instrumental rock band formed in Madrid, in the summer of 2007. Formed at the beginning for Victor, Albert and William of Necen de las Cenizas and Esteban of Ten Minute Man.

In November 2007, after several months of rehearsals, they recorded two demos – Bajamar and Orbita. In December 2007, Toundra recorded an EP.

Bajamar from Toundra (I) (2008)

In January 2008, they put this record in myspace and received a very warm welcome. That same day, Red Chalk Records (Arindelle) offers editing a CD version of what had been recorded but adding two more tunes.

In February 2008, they entered to record again and the result is – Jauria and Tesalia. In April 2008, it goes on sale on CD and vinyl 12’’ on the first throughout Toundra: Toundra (I)

Medusa from Toundra (I) (2008)

Magreb from Toundra (II) (2010)

The album, called II, amid unprecedented success of the download politic of the record label. Thousands of people download the album in a few days.

After the summer, Toundra played in the BAM 2010, the festival of Barcelona, in a memorable concert.

From there, the tour takes them to play all over the country: Madrid, Bilbao, San Sebastian, La Coruna, Vigo, Valladolid, Seville, Cadiz, Barcelona…

Tchod from Toundra (II) (2010)

In 2011, the band has played at the Primavera Sound Festival, at the DCode Fest of Madrid (My Chemical Romance, Nothink, Band of Horses, etc.) and Resurrection Fest in Viveiro (Pennywise, Bring me the Horizon, etc.). They expect their first concerts in Europe by the end of the year."

Discography:

2008 - Toundra (I) 12''

2008 - Toundra (I) (CD)

2009 - Toundra (Nordest) 7'' Split

2010 - Toundra (II) (CD)

You can follow Toundra on Myspace, Facebook and Twitter.