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Ten
fe en Dios
Espada de Metal
Rey de Reyes
Epistola N°7
Su primer amor
Puño de Hierro
Efetzian-
- el enfermo de la ciudad
Ven a él
Cantaré al señor
71-29
(¿Quién podrá hacer que amanezca?)
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This is an unique example
in México, since it is the only "White" Metal band able of recording an
LP. But when I say White Metal, I'm referring to the lyrical orientation
of the band. Don't be fooled by the back cover pics where the guys show
Stryper T-Shirts, the music in PUÑO DE HIERRO was melodic Power Metal not
Glam rock as you might think. With the evident guidance of the German/British
style, irrumpts the Power Metal of >Ten fe en Dios< (Have faith in
God), a quasi fast track with very melodic passages, without over saturating
the song with thin lines. The double bass drums and guitar solos add great
power to this song of real headbanging, which raises the Metal mood. Again
comes the Power Metal of the >Espada de Metal< (Metalsword) which
is also melodic, but with time changes and cool vocals. Heavy metal in a
very fine shape and performance. As a low-budget product, there are some
small error here and there, but nothing to affect the song/album itself.
I'm sure if this would have been properly produced, then this must have
been equal than many LP's around the world…. >Rey de Reyes< (King
of Kings) is actually heavy and mighty, without loosing the trademark of
the band: moderated melody but still aggressive and powerful. This one also
has changes and breaks that make it a bit more elaborated, with the exact
amount of technique and rawness at the same time. To be honest, on this
moment, the band reaches a more personal style. >Epistola N°7< (Epistole
N°7) continues with the smashing display of power. It's great to know that
a band with a religious message as this one does not abuse soft melodies
and shit as most of the White Metal bands do, this is the fact that separates
PUÑO DE HIERRO from the weak rest. The acoustic guitar on the start of >Su
primer amor< (Her first Love) reminds very much on the intro of METALLICA's
>Fight fire with fire<. This is a song with strong touches of a ballad,
but it is not in the right sense of the word. There is not much of soft
parts and cry-like kind of vocals, rather, the heavy cutting is the sign
of this song. I think this is an unnecessary track, but if we take notice
of the texts of the band, then it is almost obligated to be included…. The
B-side opens with the melodic Speed Metal of >Puño de Hierro< (Iron
Fist) and the LP takes a more aggressive level. Again the twin guitar licks
are present here and there to add some harmonic touches among the aggressive
side of the song. This track was one of those which the band loved to play
in their live set. Heavy metal is the >Efetzian -el enfermo de la ciudad<
(Efetzian, the sick one in the city), no more no less. Perhaps for those
who aren't too related to Latin Metal bands could find a bit strange some
elements of this LP, mainly in the vocal lines, which could sound even out
of tune, but that's a characteristic which is part of the Spanish-sung Heavy
Metal. >Ven a él< (Come to him) enters in fast tempo, followed with
some chorus attempting to put an epic touch to the song, in a way they reached
the goal and the tracks get a plus. In fact that kind of things were very
few used in those years, it sounded even a bit innovative. >Cantaré al
señor< (I'll sing to the Lord) is more a traditional Heavy Metal song,
with the classic velocity rising just to add some intensity in some guitar
solo and vocals. This is also an elaborated track, due to the major quantity
of solos and tempo changes, even the vocals are a bit more arranged and
attractive. The final track is the instrumental and emotive >71-29 (¿Quién
podrá hacer que amanezca?)< (71-29 -Who would Bring the Dawn?-) which
is a real classical-like kind of track, that reminds a bit on the baroque
era, united with the heaviness of the electric guitar and drums. Sadly,
this is the only LP the band ever recorded, and even more sad is the fact
that this album is so rare these days, well in fact, almost every metal
LP in México is rare, since they all were released in very few numbers.
Well, to make it short, if you like melodic Power Metal, not boring, then
get this one and hear it through the not-so-bad production; I think you
could be taken by surprise.
Reviewed by Jose Luis Cano
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