Ángeles del Infierno, Rata Blanca, Mägo de Oz, Molotov, and Control Machete

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.

‘What genre would you say Molotov fall into?’ It really is a struggle to find the correct answer to this question. This is because, unable to fit into any of the typical style groups that we tend to categorize into, this band have succeeded in creating their own style, a fusion of several styles and the result is something special to say the least.

Though they may not look like your typical rap or rock stars, four Latin Grammy Awards are evidence of the impact and quality of the music that this group produce. Hailing from Mexico, one can’t help but notice that their music and lyrics are politically inspired, stemming from times of struggle in their homeland.

These messages do not distract from the skill of the musicianship that is showcased at a Molotov live show however, rather complementing the blend of heavy bass lines and melodic guitar riffs that characterize the Molotov style. As if seeing the music come to life on a stage wasn’t enough, being in the crowd at a Molotov concert is an experience in itself.

Be prepared for plenty of head banging and jumping as the energy from on stage infiltrates the audience and encourages you to lose yourself in the music. If you wish to experience something that you’ve never experienced before, go to a Molotov gig.