Spanish Metal

by dzorrilla

So last week I enjoyed writing the post for Central/Eastern European metal, so much so that I decided to make a similar post showcasing the metal of my home country – Spain. Now Spain generally does not have a strong reputation for its metal scene and I will be the first to admit we have always been quite far behind other countries in the continent and even with respect to our Latin American peers. While I feel our scene isn't the best, it certainly hides some talent – both in the past and the present. For underground Friday, I want to go through some of the gems and lesser known acts from the 80s scene up until contemporary times. There is a lot of cheese and carelessness involved, but there should be something for everybody. As with last week, certain large bands will be excluded and everyone is welcome to add in suggestions. Let’s begin:

Spanish traditional metal

The early 80s scene in Spain had one objective and one objective only: to rip off the British scene as much as possible (with some exceptions). It was not a terribly original scene and most of it is sung in Spanish, which turned a lot of people off from listening. Although once you listen to some of the English speaking bands, you will understand why it was better for them to sing in Spanish.

Baron Rojo The quintessential trad Spanish metal band and the only one from the early scene to have achieved some form of international recognition. Volumen Brutal is a pretty solid slab of traditional metal.

Obus Obus were another significant band within the early scene. These guys had the same gritty sound as Baron Rojo, but with more of a Motorhead kick. I think it’s just worth to watch the videoclip I linked, as it perfectly encapsulates what Madrid was like in the early transition years after Franco’s death. Recommended album: Preparate!

Banzai This band always bordered on hard rock, but still managed to deliver some great riffs (most of which were lifted from Iron Maiden).

Angeles del Infierno Another really well known band in the scene, Angeles del Infierno were blatantly influenced by Judas Priest (just listen to those vocals!) but still managed to write some pretty solid songs.

Santa Azuzena (the lead singer) had that 80s Judas Priest/Exciter sound to it. While this band went on to play more of a melodic hard rock/AOR sound later on (a common problem in the Spanish scene), their first album was excellent punkish NWOBHM. Please watch the videoclip to witness the intense stage presence that woman had.

Zeus For me, this band had the potential to be one of the leading European metal bands from the early 80s based on the strength of their first single. Their style was a blazing fast NWOBHM akin to Raven and Jaguar. I cannot recommend them highly enough.

Hades Another underrated gem. This EP was never officially released, but it’s one of the best from that time period. Fast and furious heavy metal with a slight epic touch. For those who are familiar with more modern Spanish bands, this was one of Niko del Hierro’s (of Saratoga fame) first bands.

Goliath Cheesy Iron Maiden influenced metal with themes revolving around women, rock and drinking – but still pretty good! They later went on to form the semi-famous Jupiter, a boring Bon Jovi rip-off.

Atila Some of the most ridiculous, over the top vocals known to man. Imagine if Rob Halford/a pterodactyl fronted a band playing dirty Motorhead worship. Well here you go.

Muro SPEED METAL CULT. This is for lovers of Accept/Exciter. Telon de Acero is one hell of an album.

Thor Competent and catchy heavy metal that takes some cues from German metal like early Helloween and other more melodic eurometal. Not too shabby if you ask me.

Crom Ok, now we’re really pushing the boundaries of good taste. Crom were arguably the first Spanish band to sing in English (big deal back then) and their sound was more influenced by epic USPM like Manowar and Warlord. Remember how I said it was better for Spanish bands to sing in Spanish? Yea, this a good exhibit. Depending on whom you ask, this is either a glorious gem unfairly buried by time or a sloppy mess. I’ll let you decide.

Exodo And again, another band attempting to sing in English. The music is great, but the heavy Spanish accent in the vocals kills it quite a bit. If this doesn’t deter you, give their only full length a spin.

Subterraneo Strong riffing, okish vocal performance.

There are many others that I could list, but I either think they’re mediocre or can’t be bothered dwelling too much into them – so instead I’ll just list them in case you’re curious: Oro, Tigres (worth it for the videoclip), Panzer, Excalibur, Mazo, Acracia and too many others.

Thrash metal

Spanish thrash is near universally completely mediocre across all epochs so I will just list the two most famous bands of the scene: Legion (Metallica worship) and Fuck Off (more Bay Area thrash). Some people claim Angelus Apatrida are quite good, but they are just OK in my book.

Early death and black metal

The early extreme metal scene in Spain is a mix and match. In general I find the bands were either average or just above average since they suffered from the same defect as 80s Spanish metal, which was to shamelessly rip off other scenes. I’ll present you with some of the better offerings, although this may only appeal to complete OSDM fanatics who need to hear anything recorded with the words “death metal” and “early 90s”. The same could be said about the few black metal bands that prevailed in the mid to late 90s.

Aggressor Possibly the first Spanish band playing any kind of extreme metal. Their only demo from 1988 is excellent death/thrash that will strongly appeal to fans of Possessed, (early) Sepultura and Slayer.

Unbounded Terror If memory serves me right, they were the first band to release a full length. Not the best the scene had to offer, but still solid mid-paced death metal that has some Celtic Frost influence to it.

Necrophiliac Somewhere between Carcass, Slayer and Deicide lies this band. Some nice unexpected melodic twists from time to time. That fucking album cover though.

Avulsed No discussion on the Spanish DM scene is complete without Avulsed. Not my favourite band from the scene, but they have their moments. Dave Rotten is of course a legend, and Spanish metalheads will forever be grateful for Drowned Productions.

Sacrophobia Thrashy death metal that had quite a bit in common with FLDM. The lead vocalist is the owner of Memento Mori records.

Human Waste Despite the name, they sound like Morbid Angel/Deicide more than anything (and occasionally Obituary). Their later material was a weird mix of different DM styles.

Unhallowed If you can’t get past the fact that it sounds like David Vincent with a Spanish accent, there are some good riffs on their only EP.

Elbereth This band always had a bit of a Swedish/Autopsy vibe to them. It’s a shame they only released one EP.

Obscure Very murky, mid-paced death metal that reminds me of old Paradise Lost and even some Swedish bands like God Macabre. Their “Curse the Course” demo was more straightforward FLDM.

Feretrum Like Obscure, this band had a knack for creating a very atmospheric and suffocating form of death metal. Thank fuck Memento Mori re-issued this for new generations to enjoy.

Hellbound After writing some awful thrash, this band re-invented themselves with a strong Obituary vibe.

Chococrispis By far the most bizarre band of this list (what do you expect with that name?). Their early material is a bit all over the place. They went full avant-garde and experimental with their full lengths.

Rottest Slag Death metal with a grindcore touch. Pure filth.

Primigenium The most famous of the early Spanish BM acts. I’m not a big fan of the full lengths, but the first demo is competent Norwegian influenced BM akin to Immortal.

Nazgul If Rob Darken decided to relocate to Spain, this would be the outcome.

Modern scene

Firstly, I want to recommend the infamous Spanish goregrind trio: Machetazo, Haemorrhage and Gruesome Stuff Relish. All these bands deserve props for keeping the Carcass/Impetigo sound fresh and for adding influence from elsewhere (mostly Swedeath).

Teitanblood Most people are now familiar with band, and for good reason. To me they are the most important underground black/death band at the moment in Spain and responsible for resurrecting strong interest in the war metal style - but adding their own touch to it. I cannot recommend this band enough.

Domains Sinister Ceremonies was one of my top 3 albums of 2014. An amazing mix between Morbid Angel, Angelcorpse and others that alternates between fast paced songs coupled with entrancing melodies.

Intemperator Do you like Sadistik Execution? Not quite as over the top, but this will appeal to fans of them.

13th Moon Raw and occult black metal for fans of Beherit, Von and Archgoat.

Sartegos A bit more polished and melodic than 13th Moon, but still cavernous black/death sung in Galician. For fans of Mortuary Drape.

Arkaik Excruciation Primitive black/death like Poison (German!), Sarcofago and Necrovore.

Morbid Yell In case you needed more bands like Arkaik Excruciation, then look no further.

Ataraxy Mix some Asphyx, Incantation and Finndeath in a pot and you end up with Ataraxy. Their full length was one of the best from 2012.

Graveyard I usually hate retro-Swedeath, but this is done quite well. I haven’t heard the new one, but it apparently takes more influence from Finndeath and Bolt Thrower.

Iron Curtain Pure Motorhead love! Listen if you want RIFFS

Dawn of Tears Spain is not really the country for melodeath, but this band plays a decent thrashy version of it.

Altar of Sin Not a big fan of the vocals, but a decent death/thrash act.

Basque country

I suppose I couldn’t end this list without paying some kind of minor tribute to the land of my parents. I already recommended some Basque bands like Thor or Éxodo, but this region houses some great national talent.

Su Ta Gar I’m not really familiar with most of their work, but the first álbum “Jaoitze Basatia” sounds like something Iron Maiden would have written in the 80s if they could speak Euskera. A very controversial band in Spain due to their alleged sympathies to ETA and their nationalist sentiment, but a classic of Euskaldun rock.

Numen Imagine Immortal if they sung in Euskera and added some folk elements. This would be the result.

Soziedad Alkoholika This one if for the crossover freaks. Ratas is one hell of an album.

I think that’s a pretty exhaustive compilation of bands. Like I said, I didn’t add certain bands either because they eluded me, are more hard rock (Ñu and Leño) or I just don’t care for them(Proclamation!!!!). Hope you enjoyed the list and it gives you a good overview of the Spanish scene through the ages.