REVIEW: MÄGO DE OZ - LA LEYENDA DE LA MANCHA

 

MÄGO DE OZ - LA LEYENDA DE LA MANCHA (Locomotive Music, 1999):

Technical Data:

Recorded in Estudios Box, Madrid, España.

Produced and mixed by Goyo Esteban

Cover Art: Gaboni

Track List: 1-En un Lugar..., 2-El Santo Grial, 3-La Leyenda de la Mancha, 4-Noche toledana, 5-Molinos de Viento, 6-Dime con quien andas, 7-Maritornes, 8-El bálsamo de Fierabrás, 9-El pacto, 10-La ínsula de Barataria, 11-El templo del Adiós, 12-Requiem, 13-Ancha es Castilla

This is the Mago de Oz CD that was recorded before their magnum opus "Finisterra". The story that is told here is the one of Don Quijote de la Mancha a classic of the spanish literature. Violins, bagpipes, keyboards, flutes, everything is helping this spanish sextet to create their music and give them a much needed identity in the fields of heavy/power metal. There are influences here, of course, the most notorious ones are of Iron Maiden (in the twin guitars), Skyclad and Helloween (in the vocals). What I like more here is the heavy use of this unconventional instruments that are not used just to do effects but to make harmonies, melodies, phrases, textures. I find very clever the use specially of the violin (it seems to me that Mohamed the violinist is the key part of Mago de Oz). Another good point for this band are the really interesting lyrics through their songs. Fans of heavy metal and power metal will be delighted with this release. Favorite tracks: "Molinos de Viento", "El Santo Grial" and "El Bálsamo de Fierabrás". Contact: www.locomotivemusic.com