Volumen Brutal

Popular narrative has it that Britain was the epicenter of the new wave of heavy metal explosion in the late seventies/early eighties (hence the term New Wave of British Heavy Metal). The isles certainly produced the lion’s share (Saxon, Raven, Iron Maiden, etc.), but it was an international movement. Amongst others, Germany had Accept, France had Trust, Japan had Loudness, and Spain had Baron Rojo. Volumen Brutal, Baron Rojo’s second release, presented their greatest chance at breaking through to an international market – recorded at Ian Gillan’s Kingsway Studios with contributions from King Crimson’s saxophonist and Gillan’s keyboardist, they even had Bruce Dickinson help them translate their lyrics for an English-language recording of the album. You’re in for a treat no matter what language. Baron Rojo straddle the line between hard rock and heavy metal, with songs like “Las Flores del Mal” that heavily tip their hats toward Maiden’s “The Prowler” balanced out by groovier jams like “Satanico Plan (Volumen Brutal),” which features some killer slide guitar. Unsurprising that guitar god Michael Amott of Carcass/Arch Enemy considers himself a fan – the explosive fretwork on songs like “Resistire,” “Hermano Del Rock ‘n” Roll,” and especially “Los Rockeros Van El Infierno” requires no translation. A lack of touring kept them from breaking out in the States, but their spiked fist still hits as hard as ever.