LARGA VIDA AL...VOLUMEN BRUTAL
Various Artists
Locomotive Music, 2002

Tribute albums are always controversial. Some fans like them, and others don't. Some fans agree with the selection of songs, while others are disappointed because the compilers haven't picked up their favourite song(s). This album is controversial for the same fact that makes it unique: it only has songs from the first two albums (Larga Vida al Rock and Roll and Volumen Brutal). It is unique because it is the first time (as far a I know) that two whole albums are covered song by song by different bands. And this is precisely the main reason against it. Barón Rojo have released 12 great albums, and it's unfair that only two of them are paid tribute. In fact, it's not enough a tribute for such a wonderful discography.

The songs are in the same playing order than in the original albums, but they are covered in a wide selection of different bands and styles within Heavy Metal.

The songs from Larga Vida al Rock and Roll are quite disappointing, the only good covers being Muro's "Los Desertores del Rock" and Tierra Santa's "Barón Rojo", apart from the nice rendition of the title track by Lujuria and the stoner rock-type cover of "Anda Suelto Satanás" by Disidencia.

Volumen Brutal's songs are quite better, starting with the shocking "Incomunicación" by Grass and a stunning rendition of "Los Rockeros Van al Infierno" by the Argentinian band Rata Blanca, followed by a very interesting version of "Dame la Oportunidad" by Los Suaves (with some changes in the lyrics) and a very combative version of "Son Como Hormigas" by radical band Boikot. Then we find the worst and the best songs next to one another: Ankhara should be ashamed of their cover of "Las Flores del Mal" and Azrael have to be very proud of their rendition of "Resistiré". Next we find an awful version of "Satánico Plan" by Ktulu and a quite good cover of "Concierto Para Ellos" by folk rockers Mago de Oz. The album ends with a dull version full of apathy of "Hermano del Rock and Roll" by Blood, and a Top-of-the-Bill version of the instrumental "El Barón Vuela Sobre Inglaterra" by Pyramid.

In conclusion, this is NOT a tribute to Barón Rojo, but to two of the most important records in the history of Spanish Heavy Metal.

Text: Juan Carlos Laguna Jiménez.
20 October 2002.
In Spanish.