Gracias Janis.

JANIS.

Collage hecho por Regina, para ti.

Seis años y un pedacito de vida más.

Apenas llegaste en el momento justo, inesperado y en el que Regina deseaba tenerte. Los pronósticos no eran favorables, en lo más mínimo. De hecho no pensamos que llegarías a la semana de vida.

Pero el enorme corazón de Regina, te cautivó y logró que te desarrollaras sana, traviesa y muy hermosa.

Fuiste la mejor compañera de Regina en casa, en el parque, en la otra casa, de viaje, acompañada, a solas, arriba, abajo, escondida, ladrando… y hasta cuando enfermaba. Ahí estuviste. Y por eso mereces unas infinitas gracias, por quererla y serle fiel. Regina también te lo agradece y has sido una de sus compañeras más importantes en su vida, y nunca te va a olvidar.

Claro, tampoco te vamos a olvidar quienes estuvimos cerca de Reg, y de ti. Gracias por ladrarnos con dulzura, por correr a recibirnos cuando llegábamos a donde estuvieras, por preocuparte y estar al pendiente cuando nos íbamos, ah: y por cuidar la casa; eso sí, aunque una que otra vez te diste a la fuga por los barrotes, pero regresaste sana y salva.

Pasaron seis años y una semana, y ahora que te has ido, Regina se da cuenta de la enorme, grata y feliz compañía que le hiciste. Ese corazón tan grande de Reg te contagió, tanto que luchaste para llegar a esta edad, nuevamente contra todos los pronósticos, de tu pequeña enfermedad en tu corazoncito.

Gracias por cuidar a nuestra hija, Regina. Y gracias por esperarla y poder despedirte de ella, hoy en la mañana.

Gracias por jugar con Carlos y Ricky por algunos años. Con todos nosotros.

Gracias por ladrarnos con amor.

Gracias por entregar tu pequeño, tierno y delicado corazón a Regina y a todos los que la rodeamos.

SIEMPRE te vamos a recordar con muchísimo cariño.

Ah, y seguro que Baltika también te va a extrañar.

Cuando Regina crezca y se convierta en una mujer extraordinaria, te seguirá recordando con el mismo amor que hasta ahora… o más.

¡GRACIAS!

El Deseo De Un Sueño

EL DESEO DE UN SUEÑO

Recorrerte a besos, sentir todo el aroma de tu piel y terminar donde inicia el deseo por más placer. Podría reflejarse en una novela de placer, pero no; se refiere simplemente a una realidad virtual, un sueño que sientes y que te hace placentero el día siguiente, si despiertas.

Sumergirnos en la incógnita de “portarse bien” o “portarse mal” no tiene sentido, porque emergeríamos súbitamente con la mismísima incógnita. Es más, ahora deberíamos referirnos entre las obras autorales entre Dios y el Diablo. ¿Dios de qué y Diablo de qué? El Dios de las tinieblas y el Diablo del paraíso… Simples términos que se escabullen entre lágrimas de deseo. Porque ya no existen y oportunamente están ahí. Podríamos iniciar repasando los escritos de San Juan, San Mateo o del mismo San Agustín para terminar con los de Alphonse Francois o Apollinaire. Y seguiríamos igual.

Importante es saber distinguir entre lo bueno y lo malo con base en nuestros sentimientos, de placer o de culpa. Es más, hay que atrevernos en cambiar la culpa por placer, siempre y cuando no afectemos a terceras personas. Esto es vital.

Así pues, retomemos el sueño del placer. ¿Convertirlo en realidad? O ¿Arrepentirnos de no convertirlo en realidad? ¿Nos podremos arrepentir de hacerlo realidad? No tengo las respuestas. Hoy que recuerdo esos momentos, sólo quiero volver a dormir, para no escapar de la realidad, sino viajar por un puente luminoso hacia una realidad paralela, no para llegar al final, porque ya lo conozco; únicamente para continuar ese placer, ese sentimiento de más deseo y mayor calidez en nuestras pieles.

Nos es una historia burda ni líneas novelescas, son palabras del deseo permanente. Cada vez que te veo… cada vez que te beso…

No pensaré en el mañana, porque jamás va a llegar y pensar en el pasado… no existe. Hoy te beso y te disfruto… nos disfrutamos.

El desenlace ya lo conozco, pero, ¿lo compartiré contigo? O ¿quieres vivirlo? Recibe mil besos.

The Ripper

Tim "Ripper" Owens. April 30th. 2016. KISS Lounge. MX.

TIM "RIPPER" OWENS
The voice of Metal
By Carlos Zaldivar

"When dreams come true!"

Intro.

Metal fan since the age of 7. Fan of Judas Priest, from the 1978 album "Stained Class".
Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden and Judas Priest have been my top 3 Bands for decades.

I do not go deep in more about this story, because I've done it in other articles on this blog. Judas Priest is a first world band and has had two of the best vocalists that exist on the planet: Sir Rob Halford and Mr. Tim "Ripper" Owens.

From the first time I saw them, in 1984, at Irvine Meadows, I was stunned as "formidable" Metal band. Just Amazing!

And since that date, my fanaticism for this band has grown exponentially.

Seeing Rob Halford, live on stage, has been one of the best experiences in my whole life.
Today, I presume from what I have seen to many legends, live on stage and others in the autograph’s session.

Oh! But Judas Priest has a detail: from 1997 to 2003, was not Rob in front of the vocals, and then, the other members, brought a talented young man with a strong and impressive voice: Tim "Ripper" Owens.

It was then that Judas Priest announced his arrival to this city, on September 10th, 2001, arriving at the Metropolitan Theatre with the following setlist:

Metal Gods
Heading Out to the Highway
A Touch of Evil
Blood Stained
Victim of Changes
One on One
The Ripper
Diamonds & Rust
Machine Man
The Green Manalishi (With the Two Prong Crown)
Beyond the Realms of Death
Burn in Hell
Breaking the Law
You've Got Another Thing Comin'
Painkiller

Then the first encore:
The Hellion
Electric Eye
United
Living After Midnight

And finally, the last encore:
Hell Bent for Leather

My Dream.

So they ended the concert with a remarkable song that occasion: “Hell Bent For Leather”.

But at that moment, I was truly impressed by that voice, attitude and presence on the stage of Ripper Owens.

Brutal!

They came with the "Demolition Tour" and to confirm the exuberant performance of Judas Priest in Mexico, just review the previous setlist.

Months later the band gave a concert in London, at the Brixton Academy, on the same tour, and it was when they released some videos during the "Soundcheck" with songs, notably the great: "Desert Plains".

At that time, so magnificent, is the power of the voice of Ripper Owens. A voice completely malleable, both in desperate and solemn and from countertenor to baritone. Just the perfect voice.

When they release this video, something succumbed in my left and right brain hemispheres as an unmeasurable dream: "I will be in some Soundcheck, someday", and what would be better to be, with Mr. Ripper Owens in vocals.

From that time to this day, I've put 'play' this video thousand times, one after the other. Then I leave it to “rest” for a short time and then again to play it so LOUD.

What a voice! Headbangers from around the world: UNITE and support that voice.

Therefore, today remains one of the best vocalists around the world.
And, the dream... there was.

Then for Judas Priest, Rob Halford returns to continue leading the band.

Ripper Owens still singing with brutality in other bands and own presentations.
But for the year 2013, and as a tribute to the best voice of the planet, Ronnie James Dio, joined the band "DIO Disciples" with two prodigious vocalists, obvious: Oni Logan & Tim "Ripper" Owens.

Shit! And then they announce their arrival to this city, for June 2013 and I should be there.
And it was so.

An amazing concert, which by the way, the supporter band was the legendary "NAZARETH" live at the "Vive Cuervo Salon".

Again I could see Tim "Ripper" Owens live and now… closer.

What an excessive fucking voice!
That day, the setlist was: (June 19th, 2013)

Killing the Dragon
Holy Diver
Children of the Sea
Egypt (The Chains Are On)
Stargazer
The Last in Line
Stand Up and Shout
Don't Talk to Strangers
Lord of the Last Day
All the Fools Sailed Away
Long Live Rock 'n' Roll
Man on the Silver Mountain
Heaven and Hell

The Concert and Dream.

Finally, in this year, 2016, Los Cerdos (Tribute Band) announces the arrival of Tim "Ripper" Owens to sing in the now famous "KISS Lounge" in Mexico.
And a biggest surprise: the support band for Mr. Ripper would be: "Los Cerdos".

Shit! And again... Shit!

I must not miss. I should be there.

This time, I would be much closer to the legendary Ripper Owens, in the area located on the road to Toluca, Mexico State.

Los Cerdos, who I've already written much about them on this blog (my dear two readers) was selected and accurate band for this powerful voice.

Do not mind the cost of the ticket, and I would buy it although I stayed starving for a month. Time passed and Los Cerdos, advertised with emotion, every week, the arrival of Ripper to MX.

Ticket in hand and with one week before the event, the organizers made a contest where there would only be 10 winners, same which would have the privilege of attending the "Soundcheck" on Friday, April 29th, on the night before the concert.

I should be there!

And effectively, the opportunity there was and I should put aside all my activities and concentrate on the requirements and be one of the winners. I should be there with Ripper, in the Soundcheck.

Please Devil: I must win. I must be one of the winners.

And, when the results were published, there was my name:

I Won!
Wonderful!

Then, all the time I was focused to the logistics that would have this recent Friday, from Sunrise until Sunset, at point of 5 pm.

5:00 pm.

And then, I went to the KISS Lounge.
I checked in and little by little was heard the hum at low level.
I went in and could barely see to another three headbangers.
Ripper was on stage, talking with Los Cerdos: Edu, Fer, Jorge & Alex.

I greeted them with the signal of the "horned fist" and I sat down, in front of the stage, expanded into a high chair, in front of the microphone of Ripper.

There I was. In front of the state, enjoying one dream coming true: Being in a Soundcheck with Ripper Owens.

Beer in hand and camera in the other at times.
Photos, videos and of course, the autograph in my T-Shirt.

Tremendous excitement was to see him sing, talk, engage and dialoging with the band, adapting the song, chords, inputs, sounds... everything.

Listening to that voice sharp and powerful, serious and exalted, the presence on the stage and above all, to imagine everything that would come the next day, during the show.

Any Headbanger must be there.

Monumental Ripper!

Along these lines I still with that feeling of ecstasy and excitement. Once again, so close to one of my great musical idols and rockers, but mainly METAL SINGERS.

That evening, we were chosen.
But no matter, because on Saturday, all attendants, one way or another, will live a dream also.

A huge gratitude to the organizers, KISS Lounge and obviously LOS CERDOS.

Setlist: Concert: Sat 30th April. 2016.

TIM: Thanks my friend.

Hell Yeah!


comments: carlos@zaldivar.org.mx

CAGED IN MEMORIES

Anima Tempo. Their Debut.

 

Portrait "Caged In Memories"

INTRO

Finally today, January 9^th, comes to light the already highly anticipated album of this Mexican band: CAGED IN MEMORIES.

It was a long wait, but it is already here.

Some years ago I met who for me, is the best drummer of Mexico, Carlos Carbajal. I saw him studying and playing music sometimes. Then I went to see him playing with a band called CAUSTIC-X.

Very good band. A sound very Progressive and Metal, although on that occasion there was a song in Spanish, which I could not digest well, “Alas de Cristal”.

Since 2011 they were announcing their album "Caged in Memories" and the release for some “year”… soon.

I have seen this band on several occasions, at the “Heavy Metal Sports Bar”, “Chocolat Bar”, “Monster Rock Bar”, “Club 27 Live” and recently at “La Comandancia METAL”.

And like some bands, CAUSTICA-X evolved and those changes were to improve and mature a little bit musically.

This team, today has become in... ANIMA TEMPO.

And well, recently I had the enormous opportunity and pleasure of attending the LISTENING PARTY to taste THE FULL ALBUM and enjoy it song by song.

ANIMA TEMPO is the band that already enjoyed to go to Finland to play and "mingle” with superb bands.

THE ALBUM

The investment of time, money and effort are reflected in this fantastic work. Changes in plans, fixing new routes and finally with a world-class production, today goes on sale, globally the official debut of ANIMA TEMPO with their: CAGED IN MEMORIES.

An album that addresses family / social issues that somehow all we have had or have seen them, but that ultimately have the notion that there are and cannot hide them.

First of all, it’s an album not suitable for people who don't have a well-educated ear for this kind of music. It is PROG - METAL of first level where the voices play a very important role, between the fine and the growls that give a full flavor.

On the other hand, you have to know to revel in a conceptual album where the lyrics, performances and music take a history, an end... a pleasure!

It is an album that indeed: actually not all the songs are different, they are "part" of a complete concept. And it is that there are albums where all the songs are different, have no links between them and are still very good. There are albums that you can't buy just a song, because you'd have an incomplete history. You can't go to the library and ask the chapters 3 and 8 of a book. You buy a “complete” book. Thus it is CAGED IN MEMORIES. Equal and even sounds throughout the album are highlighted, and when reflected that we "are living" the album, the history.

It is an album that you cannot enjoy the most on public transport or at a party; it should enjoy the most carefully, VERY LOUD, with awareness and taking possession of the characters in each song.

This first debut, contains 7 exquisite songs, where keyboards are those who guide us throughout history. These play an important role because they are well used and never exaggerated; as in other bands. Keyboards, usually accompany other instruments, on other occasions not protrude; and in others, as in Anima Tempo, they play a very important role, and it is when I conclude that the musicians are a great team. They are a full band.

Spectacular beginning with the introduction of the song LAST AWAKENING. From the first seconds it captivates our ears and the attention grows. What a great drums wow!

Followed by CONFESSIONS and ART OF DECEPTION, where the quality of the instrumentation grows. That classic sound that takes us back to epic stories in the world, but now at a personal and family level.

SCARLET ANGEL, which I like most, has a sublime touch and voice, is to a certain tone, somewhat sweet, with a lot of feeling.

After an instrumental track, which by the way I didn't like to much, is the intro, and seconds later I lost part of the story, but after a minute it redeems the composer. Here we could make a parenthesis and write the letter that we are feeling about.

CELLOPHANE EYES is as follows and is the song of the album that has been promoting. It is an extraordinary song that well may represent a PROG - METAL in High Level around the world, of course, representing Mexico.

And to close with a superb track, a magnificent composition of more than seventeen minutes, and is the homonymous song of this album. CAGED IN MEMORIES is an exact duration where unfold three parts: DESPERATION, CONTRITION & ACCEPTANCE.

In truth, what a little bit I've written is exactly that: "a little bit". You must have it and enjoy it because so far, you may complete this brief review onto a huge story of Music and Pleasure.

It’s an extraordinary production by Dante Granados (Mexico) and Erik Mikalsen (Norway).

In stores: already at this time.

THE BAND

ANIMA TEMPO is:

Gian Granados - Voice and Guitar

Dante Granados - Lead guitar / Synths

Daniel Gonzalez - Growls / Guitar

Pedro Vera - Bass

Antonio Guerrero - Drums

What I love and at the same time I am impressed is the intellectual, cultural and musical “state of mind” of this quintet to make this kind of music. Moreover the talent of Dante to compose and produce it.

What a BAND!

And the hardest thing is to give a rating. Some people always ask me why the 10, and it is not easy. It is 10 for astonishing bands, like Black Sabbath, Motörhead, Pain of Salvation, Mystery and others. But no doubt nor sure that Anima Tempo, become bigger and astonishing, and in that moment, deserve a 10. 

While that moment, with humility and appreciation, I give them a 9 for this album.

And see you in your next concert, soon.

PROG - METAL, proudly Mexican, as the level of any other Nordic bands.

 Cellophane Eyes

INVOKE the MAIDEN

INVOKE THE MAIDEN

De Tributos a Tributos

“Las cosas se hacen muy bien,

o mejor no se hacen.”

Federico Malpica Cárdenas

 

La Portada

Siempre he dicho que en los concursos de belleza, como “Miss Universo”, quien gana, no es la más bella del Universo, sino la más bella de las que se inscribieron al certamen.

De igual manera, en este álbum tributo a Iron Maiden, se dice que incluye a 10 de las mejores bandas del Metal Mexicano. Son buenas, pero creo que hubo otras bandas que iban a participar y no enviaron su colaboración.

Sobre bandas Tributo, ya he hablado mucho. La banda tributo ideal es que también sus integrantes, juntos o por separado tengan proyectos personales.

Bueno, y en esta ocasión convergen las opiniones objetivas y subjetivas, porque he estado en el mismo punto de equilibro entre ambas. Es un disco al cual lo califico con un 6, y que ¡pasó de panzazo!

Sé que posiblemente muchos metaleros / rockeros no estén de acuerdo con estas líneas, pero como en todo lo que escribo, es algo “personal”. Estas palabras representan “mi opinión”.

Primeramente hay que reconocer la idea, trabajo y esfuerzo para llevar a cabo este proyecto. Desde la idea de realizar un tributo a una de las mejore bandas inglesas, Iron Maiden, hasta convocar a las bandas, organizar y sacar al “mundo del ciberespacio” el trabajo elaborado.

Cinthya y Aldo Yu, merecen un aplauso.

Pero que no quede en sólo un aplauso, sino en la motivación para el siguiente trabajo.

Finalmente llegó el día para descargar el álbum. Hubo contratiempos y el link no funcionaba y bueno, eso les faltó prevenir.

Una vez descargado, pues a disfrutarlo, pero mi sorpresa fue que algunos tracks se escuchaban mal. Verifiqué y estaban grabados a 128 kbps.

Luego otros tracks sonaban un poco mal. ¿Nadie los remasterizó?

Llegué a pensar que la falla eran mis audífonos o las bocinas, pero no fue así.

Los volví a “rehacer” nivelando el volumen y guardándolos a 320 kbps.

También se escuchaban mal. A todas las personas que lo había descargado les pregunté su opinión y resultó que “nadie” había tenido tiempo para “escucharlo”. Al momento de escribir estas líneas tan solamente he recibido una opinión de otro metalero de corazón, y fue similar a la mía.

Y mi conclusión es que, las bandas estuvieron “apresuradas” no sé por qué y enviaron su rola para incluirse al álbum tributo.

Y también percibo que esas no se revisaron antes. Sino, que de igual manera, por las premuras, se incluyó y no se revisó.

Hay una rola que se siente que la música se grabó en un estudio de grabación y la voz, por separado, se grabó en la cocina.

Otra rola se escucha a un nivel bajísimo de grabación.

En otra rola, la voz se escucha muy lejos.

En la versión instrumental, pues por lo mismo, pasaba. Pero sus ejecutoras, enviaron la “rola corregida” a unos días de haberse lanzado el álbum completo.

¿Entiendo que no se revisó la rola que se incluyó en el álbum?

¿Qué pasó exactamente?

Bueno, el aprendizaje y la experiencia ya están. Y qué mejor que aprender de los errores.

Así, que ahora, esperaremos otro tributo, si no a Maiden, pues a otra Banda, pero que se lleve con tiempo, que se revise el material, que se trabaje muy bien en las rolas y que “todos” cumplan el compromiso que implica editar un álbum de este calibre.

Insisto, de que hay buenas bandas metaleras en México, las hay. Son muy pocas, pero si hay. Calidad hay. De igual manera, hay muchas más bandas, que apenas empiezan, otras que se conforman con tocar sin ensayar, pero ese es otro tema.

De este tributo a la Gran Dama, me pudieron gustar las rolas de: Tales of Pain, Axxia Inn, Mighty Thor y Vigmika.  Rolas a las que le pusieron su toque especial, cada banda. ¡Excelente!

Se escucha, y se nota, cuando las bandas han trabajado en el track y le han puesto todas las ganas.

Me pudo fascinar la rolota de: Ocean Project. Buenísima su “The Evil That Men Do”.

Tracklist

Ah, y ¿Por qué repetir una misma rola con dos bandas?

P.D. El diseño de portada, contraportada y booklet: De 10. Muy buen diseño.

Espero sus comentarios, mentadas de madre y consejos.

UP THE IRONS!

KADAVAR

The German Trio

The “Long Hairs” at the Plaza Condesa

By Carlos Zaldivar

Talking about Stoner Rock is getting back to the seventies when this genre began with bands of the level of Blue Cheer or even the same Sabbath. Mastodon later emerged, Orchid, Kyuss and Fu Manchu and many others. Of course there are bands that I do not like much in this genre, like Monster Magnet, now also they came to Mexico City.

This genre is not new, but it is rare to find good bands playing it.

El Plaza

KADAVAR is no exception, is a band formed in Berlin in 2010 and today the lineup is: guitarist and lead vocalist Christoph "Lupus" Lindemann, drummer Christoph "Tiger" Bartelt and bassist Simon "Dragon" Bouteloup.

In 2012 they released their first album and as that went unnoticed, at least for me, because I did not know it until it came second album in 2013 under the title "Abra Kadavar". So I liked them and that was it.

They hit a hard scene in Europe and to this side of the planet would start a tour (in fact I do not know if played throughout the US) stepping on Aztec soil in May 2014, at the Bar Caradura exactly, but I could not attend. Reviews and videos about that event fortunately there are few, and speak and display great emotions.

On Stage

Just a simple guitar, a simple bass and a tiny and minimalist drum are enough to generate tremendous power as brutal as hearing an explosion in hell. This, dear two readers called "KADAVAR" a band full of pure fucking energy, adrenaline and high-octane blood that produce fast, powerful movements in their extremities of each of its members.

Impressive on stage!

That's when we began to follow down this huge band, and curiously grew a lot in less than a year. They have played on several radio stations, I remember having heard one of the best radio stations of the planet, such as "Radio Ultra" from Moscow.

The videos on YouTube show a very talented and well, but it is a curious that this band is one of the bands that sound better live than on the album. They have a powerful, clear sound without breaks; decibels at an optimal level without serious abuse or exploit the microphone. It is the perfection of the Rock at a very basic level.

Last night, the appointment was in the "Plaza Condesa" forum; And at nine hours and fifteen minutes, came on stage "Lupus", "Dragon" and the majestic "Tiger" to give a humble show and demonstrate why KADAVAR is today one of the best Bands in Stoner Rock. I hope some musicians were able to attend and realize what a class clinic on how to make love to a drum, so passionately that every orgasm is expressed in powerful "drumbeats".

Tiger: Brutal! Hell Yeah!

The Fans

They began with the grounder "Lord of the Sky" and then all faithful fans ipso facto exploit a metal stoner excitement and never stop again.

Then they played "Pale Blue Eyes", "Stolen Dreams" and "Doomsday Machine" and the "Metal Horns" could be seen over the "Metal Heads". We all went crazy and the more drumbeats received our ears, more excitement in our bodies.

Then played "Black Sun", "Goddess of the Sun" and the extraordinary "The Old Man" that is precisely what I have musical background at this moment, while I express my emotions by these Germans y this cyber paper.

There was a moment, when you want the time of KADAVAR be eternal and play and play forever.

Best Fans

"Broken Wings", "Last Living Dinosaur", "Forgotten Past", "Into The Night" and "Thousand Miles Away From Home" were the last songs, of course, before already the forced encore.

A great show summarized in one adjective: Ruthless!

We jumped, shouted and by the rhythm of "Kadavar, Kadavar" this powerful trio returned to delight us with "All Our Thoughts" and "Come Back Life".

Me and Kika. Finally we are in a concert.

At the end, they promised to return soon, so another wait has begun, now.

"Not only does man live of Rock ... it's all you have to live."

carlos@zaldivar.org.mx

EDEN. The AOR Band from ITALY.

EDEN

Album to the maximum expression of AOR, from Italy.

By Carlos Zaldivar

EDEN.

So many years of enjoying good music, and it is not for less, the Rock and Metal are just that: BEST MUSIC ON THE WHOLE UNIVERSE. There are untouchable and classic bands as MAIDEN, SABBATH, ZEPPELIN, RUSH, PRIEST and they are “sacred”. They already have a pedestal in the musical paradise.

Other bands that have left their mark and are still leaving it, are JOURNEY, SURVIVOR, EUROPE, TOTO, FOREIGNER that would be as the AOR of yesteryear, because today have arisen bands such as SKAGARAK, HOUSE OF LORDS, RIVERSIDE, EVERGREY, HUIS, KRUK, MAGNUM, TEN, MYSTERY, RPWL and SONUS UMBRA (from Mexico) among others many.

And there are other bands, influenced by those that have seen the light and have grown beneath the feet of the same.

In the recent decades some bands have reached “the top” to stay and others had to go very fast. Bands that remain, they stick to the formula of success with a song and going by this "same" path, leaving aside the innovation, the creativity and the love of music. They spoil!

And after one album, disappear.

Ah! But there are bands that are well built up with musical knowledge, wanting to give battle between the “big bands”, with innovations, creativity music and eager to break buttocks within the scene of Rock and Metal. These bands are very few, and have come to stay. They are bands that have generated new sounds and extraordinary sounds in Rock and Metal. There are genres known as Prog - Metal, Death Metal, Nu - Metal, Hard Rock and mainly the famous AOR, which is exactly that, music for adults. 

And with this not refers to persons of legal age, but that adults "in musical knowledge", which have already passed for listening to classic bands, respect them and now they know and listen of the new AOR bands. Because I have had the pleasure of enjoying as young people between 12 and 18 who have good influences of parents and hear excellent bands.

Of these new bands that have emerged in this decade, there are few that reach the degree qualify as "extraordinary" and much more within the AOR genre, because this genre is pure, fine, with excellent arrangements, harmonies, equalization, direction and production of their material. They sound so much good in the Studio and Live. They are bands that I've found (many have rejected them) and today have been so share them, recommend them and so that they are in this huge list of "Big bands"; such bands as REASON (UK), EQUATOR, DELTA DEEP, DEEP LIMBIC SYSTEM (Mexico), SHOOTING ANGELS (Austria with a Mexican drummer), MORTICIAN (Austria with a Mexican drummer), WAR KABINETT (Mexico), KARNATAKA, ZAPHIRA (Austria with a Mexican drummer), S7N (Mexico) and there are more. Today, there is a band that has grown out of many, from Rome, Italy, and the name is EDEN.

EDEN, Italian band formed by Alessandro Iovannitti: on the Drums, Percussions & Vocals; Paolo Castellani: Keyboards & Vocals; Stefano Mastrangeli: Guitars & Vocals; Patrizio Izzo: in main Vocals; and Giordano Latini: Bass & Vocals.

These Italians are going strong in the AOR scene in many countries, and Mexico is no exception. It is a quintet formed in Rome in 2011, and they have brought us an album developed, produced, edited and released by themselves, which is still more than welcome.

It has a very fresh sound, with guitars that do the same, those “guitar sounds” are heard when they should listen at very high volume and occasionally are heard when they only accompany other instruments or voice. Also the keyboards; they never abuse of the song, they just do their job, they "decorate" sometimes the song and in others they accompany it and in other musical times, stand out as the main instrument. Very fine and well played by Paolo. 

Brutal!

EDEN is the current band that sets a tone for the AOR, the classic sound that repeats song after song and always different sound in each song from the album. Their debut album has an introduction, a pause of a call and eight songs, is how to enjoy superb eight different songs, as if they were from eight different bands and not, are all of EDEN. Note the pleasure with which was the album and also the enormous work of each of its members. Everything indicates that in Italy, as in most countries, should have confidence in these new bands and will bring the "power" and take it to the most remote places on Earth. This goal is also for all of us: their fans.

The disc came to my computer, and like many others it was formed in line to listen to it. When it came his turn, it was a moment full of ecstasy and delight. I had a few months of not hearing an AOR at this level. I think it was with DREADFUL MINDS and REASON recent occasions.

Since the introduction with "Sounds from Eden" captivated me. Then give account you want more turn up the volume and this is already the most. I need more!

Then comes the song "Dreamin'" similarly, picks you up and will not let you go. "Fear Has Gone" it is shocking, has been that most lasted in my cerebral hemispheres, while one is singing it, the other is describing the lyric. "I Know You Know" arrives with a few very powerful drum sounds. Different sound to the two earlier songs.

UF, spectacular! We are going to the other songs.

The turn goes for "My Time", a ballad, with keyboards accompanying on guitar and drums, with that so fine voice of Patrizio. A soft voice that always stands out in first level. Then comes the song "Enemy" with little more than power and an acute voice. "Feel the Fire" is the next and with the same power to continue hitting Italian AOR as it should be.

Fuck! And then comes another huge ballad, direct to the heart. In fact at this moment, as I’m writing these humble words, my romanticism is strong, because matches the lyrics and the song with what I've been living, although far... very close from her (MG). "A Change of Life" is this song, and is the type of ballad that you will never forget, since you hear it for the first time until the day that you grow old and you have Alzheimer's disease. Huge ballad because Patrizio begins with whispers in your ear that bristles your skin and then hits the acute sounds and those painful cries to the veins, so blood run through your entire body and you feel completely, "live". 

Applause to this song!

To finish this masterpiece of AOR, comes an introduction of a cell call after a downpour, and responding to the answering machine, enters the song "Into the Night". Wonderful song to close with a flourish this magnificent album. The bass is noticeable from the beginning and is at full volume, the body feels it.

After this album, what more remains?

That yes, it is highly recommended. Buy it in digitally format at the usual sites; in addition you have to buy it in physical format, because it will never compare the digital version with the pleasure of opening the box, feel the booklet and read the autographs (mine and my cousin Hugo's are in the way), open the disc tray, close it and put the sound at maximum volume to enjoy EDEN until the windows vibrate, and why not?... Break them!

EDEN, from Italy, for the world.