MAGO DE OZ

These Spaniards are an absolute blast to listen to,very entertaining to say the least. I've seen them described as Celtic-Metal, and with the flute and prominant violin it makes sense.Take away the violin and this is an easy 4 stars for me.It's not that i don't like violin it's just i prefer my Metal with bass,guitars and drums.Old school.And the violin is all over this album.The vocals are in Spanish and sound great. "En Un Lugar..." is the short intro track that opens with bagpipes followed by a "battle" sample then flute and violin.It kicks in around a minute with the drums out in front. "El Santo Grial" opens with heavy SABBTH-like guitar with drums.It's uptempo as violin then vocals come in.There is a definite IRON MAIDEN flavour here.Blistering guitar before 3 minutes,violin follows. "La Leyenda De La Mancha" opens with attitude but that changes when the violin arrives.Contrasts continue.Great sound before 2 minutes. "Noche Toledana" is a short instrumental. "Molinas De Viente" is a powerful song with violin and vocals.It does settles before a minute but contrasts continue. "Dime Con Quien Andas" is laid back as reserved vocals come in.Violin follows.it's heavier before 2 minutes.Nice.It settles 3 minutes in as the guitar solos beautifully.Violin is back. "Maritornes" is uptempo as violin comes and goes.A good rocker. "El Balsame De Fierabras" has this great sounding rhythm like a JUDAS PRIEST tune.Guitar solo 2 minutes in.A fun song. "El Pacto" is mellow as violin comes in.It kicks in around a minute and vocals join in.Guitar solo 3 minutes in.He's lighting it up here.Vocals and violin follow. "La Insula De Barataria" has violin and flute in it.It's heavier 1 1/2 minutes in but it's brief. "El Templo Del Adios" is laid back with violin,vocals and strummed guitar. "Requiem" opens with solo,almost spoken vocals.Synths then drums join in as he starts to sing.This is catchy and it's building.Great sound before 3 minutes. "Ancha Es Castilla" is a mellow tune with picked guitar,violin and reserved vocals.Not a fan. So a pretty good album that could have been a killer one for my tastes sans violin.

MAGO DE OZ continues to prove me wrong in different ways: on one hand, I used to think of them as a repetitive if-you've-heard-one-song-you've-heard-them-all power metal kind of band, which they clearly aren't, as they add elements of all kinds of music to their sound and create very entertaining power metal songs mixed with folk and even traditional rock n' roll; on the other hand, I used to agree with their status as a prog-metal band. Now I'm not so sure.

Jesus de Chamberi is a metal opera, but unlike other works that share this definition, here we only have one singer who tells us of all the details and the events. An adaptation of Jesus Christ's life to the fiery Spain of MAGO DE OZ, the story is interesting, entertaining, irreverent. The music that accompanies it changes style as easily as the main character changed water into wine: from pure power metal to folk metal to bar-rock n' roll in the blink of an eye. Some songs lack any distinctive elements but some manage to shine through ("Hasta que tu muerte nos separe", "El fin del camino", "Jesus de Chamberi").

The album is uneven and difficult to categorize as progressive since the music is rather very traditional in its form. What could bridge that distance could be the constant addition of elements of different styles of music into one cohesive unity. In the end, Jesus de Chamberi is a very enjoyable work that needs no genre to be appreciated. Not as good as their later Gaia, I'll give it 3 stars over 5.

Mago De Oz is a Spanish 10 musicians Folk Metal band with good relations with Prog. It is good to note that also in the case of Prog Folk not all the bands are 100% Prog because Prog Folk is only a related genre with Prog. Said this I note that Mago De Oz is a great band that plays a good Power Folk Metal, sung in Spanish language.

This CD is extreme good, because compact and really powerfull. If you search Prog in this CD... You are (but not completely) outside of the road. Except for the strange Manowar/ Motorhead Rock'n'Roll 'Mi Nombre Es Rock'n'Roll' 'La Cudad De Los Arboles' is a great Folk Metal album that I approach to the work of Elvenking or Excelsis. Interesting is the use of bagpipes (in two versions), used for doubling (and for replace the rhythmic soli) the electric guitar that have a compressed sound, also if melodic. The songs are, in every case, close to Power Metal, helping in this fact from a production which highlights the power and not the technique.

In this album I do not have a preferred song. Except for 'Mi Nombre Es Rock'n'Roll' this album is a good example of Folk Metal and in this sense this album is very good. If you love Jethro Tull and you do not know Prog Metal Mago De Oz is the right band for to enter the world of Prog Metal.

Along with La Leyenda de La Mancha, Jesús de Chamberí is the best Mägo the Oz album... It easily surpases their last four studio efforts!

After their irregular debut, the group recruited a new singer and they took a long time to develope their next release... Three years of composition, arrangements and recordings! And the results were really good. The production is far from being the best of their career, but the sound is not bad. Except the weak Mohammed's violin sound and the bad Jose's vocalization (sometimes is really hard to understand what he's saying...), the instruments are not bad. Not spectacular, but functional.

The style of the album is really variated... Being a Rock Opera, they needed different types of moods for the songs, and this way we have some Iron Maiden oriented tracks (Jesús de Chamberí, El Fin del Camino...), 80's hard rock anthems (Hasta que tu Muerte nos Separe, Judas...), the typical Mägo de Oz's folk elements (El Cuco y la Zíngara, Jiga Irlandesa....), classical music influences (Czardas, the end of Hasta que tu Muerte nos separe...), the usual Mägo's folk rock (La Canción de Pedro, La Última Cena...) or rock n' roll mixed with cabaret (Domingo de Gramos...)

So this amount of variety makes this album easy and funny tu listen to... But there is not prog here. Just variated hard rock with a lot of folk and heavy influences. But not prog metal, folks.

The concept of the album is really curious... It's about a Jesus Christ's comeback in the spanish city of Madrid, in a neighborhood called Chamberí, where he preaches about a necessary change in Christianity. I think it's not necessary to say that this album hardly criticises the Catholic Church, in a not very polite way. Some people can find it annoying and offensive... But I find it just funny! The drummer Chus's lyrics are very good, not so overloaded and full of vulgarity like the lyrics he writes today. So if you understand spanish, you'll surely enjoy with this album's concept.

Best songs: Jesús de Chamberí (good riff and violin melodies...), El Ángel Caído (very funny folky rock track...), La Canción de Pedro (the better track of the album, and a band's classic...), El Cantar de la Luna Oscura (beautiful ballad) and El Fin del Camino (the longer and most complex song in the album, with some Iron Maiden's influences...)

Conclusion: this album is fantastic, and is a great example of what this band was able to do, before transforming themselves in the commercial and hypocrite band they are today... This album has more quality and is more sincere than the rest of the albums of the band, with the exception of the even better La Leyenda de la Mancha. So this is an excellent release... But being not prog in my opinion, this can not be an excellent additon to any prog music collection.

My personal rating: ****

ProgArchives rating: ***

This album has something for everybody.

Yes, there's no question about it. This is an epic power metal album with progressive elements, not a pure progressive metal album. This is music in the same vein as RHAPSODY OF FIRE. The neo-classical touches abound, as do the orchestral interludes, the anthem-like choruses, the usual Latin/Greek intros, the typical dramatic storytelling, the fast, relentless drums and guitars, joined by instruments like the violin or the flute to add to medieval flavor. This is epic power metal.

But rarely have I heard an album that has entertained me as much as "Gaia II: La Voz Dormida". Usually, I complain about music like this when bands release records full of repetitive songs, where it's hard to distinguish when one track ends and when the next one begins. Even a band like RHAPSODY would receive this criticism from me except in their best album. But MAGO DE OZ pulls a miracle here: a double album of epic metal that never bored me or seemed repetitive to me.

This is accomplished thanks to the balance of quiet and fast tracks, of soft melodic interludes and frantic guitar battles. This is also accomplished by the excellent melodies and hooks that one can find throughout this record. Every little song is memorable in its own way. None of them may be incredibly groundbreaking or original, but all of them are enjoyable, not one is dull or drags for too long. Next to instrumental-only tracks made in Hollywood-music style we can find the epic anthems with sing-along choruses, followed by tender moments for piano and vocals, after which an avalanche of guitar scales befalls, then we encounter passages that take us in a voyage back in time to the Middle Ages, and we're immediately brought back to the present by ferocious cascades of throttling drums. The equilibrium in the album is maintained during more than one hour and a half, which is a truly remarkable feat for a release of this kind of music.

Of course, the excellent musicianship of the band helps a lot. Drummer and lyrical/musical mastermind Txus de Fellatio constantly keeps a breathing pulse, while the bassist provides the grounds necessary to maintain the pressure. All the guitarists (there are a few in here) are terrific, as is Mohamed in the violin and Ponce de Leon on the flute. The vocals are outstanding, very melodic but also powerful. It helps that the lyrics deal with an interesting subject, as is the nefarious influence of religion in history. The band shows conviction while playing tracks to these lyrics.

I usually wouldn't dare to give an album in this genre which so barely scraps the prog-surface more than 3 stars for pure quality and enjoyment. But, as I will do soon with RHAPSODY's "Symphony of Enchanted Lands", I can't do anything else but applaud and recognize a band that has managed to surpass the problems intrinsic to the sort of music they play and that has released a double album listening to which I never, not for one minute, wanted the experience to end sooner rather than later. Excellent musicianship, excellent melodies, great entertainment value, a lot of music. What else should I ask from a record to award it a perfect rating?

I have always been drawn to celtic rock music, particularly bands like Runrig, Oysterband, Pogues, Men they Couldn't Hang, and other groups that seemed to balance the celtic and the rock aspects. At times they even verged onto proggish territory, but more as a reflection of influences rather than a true orientation. Although I cannot say I was wondering what a band would sound like if they combined those traits with more progressiveness and a serious metallic edge, I suspect that Mago de Oz provides the answer, and the result is far better than I could have anticipated.

With expressive vocals in Spanish, a full compliment of whistles and other appropriate instruments, and plenty of crashing rhythm guitars, "Gaia" contains a highly appealing blend of the muscle of prog metal and the folk song. Within we have truly beautiful ballads ( "La Rosa de los Vientos"), mysteriously gothic themes ("Obertura MDXX"), metal treatises ("La Conquista"), anthemic power ballads ("Si Te Vas"), stylish prog pop ("El Árbol de la Noche Triste"), and, most impressively, a couple of epics that combine all in one ("Gaia" and " La Venganza de Gaia").

The celtic vibe is really never far away on Gaia, so I would not recommend this to anyone who has a problem with that style. But to all others this is a real winner. This "wizard of oz" has given us a new genre that we were lacking, or did we really have it all along and just not know it?

Hahahahahahahahahahaha!!! What a hilarious album! Mago de Oz may be a commercial band in Spain, but here in the American midwest this stuff is a bit of a novelty, and a rather entertaining one at that.

Aside from the little snippet of Brahms on the second track, there is little to this album that could be considered progressive, but then again I wouldn’t call it folk either, but that’s what it gets labeled at times. I just finished re-reading Don Quixote about a month ago for the first time in many years, and despite the sometimes annoyingly insignificant details, it is still one of the few true classic works of modern times. Well, so much for reverent representation of the classics! Mago de Oz rip into the staid and pitifully dignified character of Señor Quixote and his inept sidekick Sancho beginning with the album’s artwork, and don’t let up until the final chords of the music fade away. This is not your grandfather’s vision of the old windmill-lancing knight!

Musically this is a real hodge-podge, mixing Celtic violin (gotta’ love that violin!), alternately tapping and shredding metal guitar, boisterous Spanish vocals, and a persistent metal rhythm, all while bastardizing the story of the knight whose gourd is protected by the shiny wash basin of a barber. Truth be told, I’m not even sure some of the song lyrics are proper Spanish, or at least I can’t quite decipher some of them. But no matter, this is a bundle of entertainment for an otherwise boring evening.

The influences are pretty apparent, including several almost blatant ripoffs of some of the finest Ritchie Blackmore riffs from any number of Rainbow classics; a little bit of Zeppelin’s pomp; the distinctively melodic metal chaos of Iron Maiden; maybe some Flogging Molly; and one tune (“El Pacto”) that sounds like Loverboy with a Latin Mike Reno front man. Priceless!

I don’t really know what to make of these guys, but I’ll give them credit for being awesomely entertaining. One note about the acoustic guitar work as well – this is about the least Latin-sounding acoustic guitar I’ve ever heard. More like Neil Young in places than Gypsy Kings, really. Good stuff.

The highlight is probably “Requiem”, where it gets difficult to discern the guitar from the violin at times, and the eventually building tempo just kicks ass. Vocalist José manages to sound like a slightly lower-key rap version of Ronnie James Dio, and pulls it off with gusto.

Like I said, this isn’t prog music, but it sure is fun to listen to. I’m glad to have this in my collection, and recommend it to fans of bands like Rhapsody, metal fans, and anyone with a sense of humor when it comes to music. Four stars.

peace

Well for my first experience with MDO, I don't think I fell upon the best album to find out what this group, is about, but it was the only one my library has. So I had a week to judge out this double album, but I must say that some 10 mins of listening to the first few tracks, then zapping from one track to the next, FFWding through every succeeding ones, my mind quickly grasped what "the deal was" and started thinking about getting the fondue set from the cupboard, for the cheesy storm under-whelming me. Stuck between an unimaginative folk, a pale copy of symphonic prog and a generally progmetal (or at least hard prog) overall attitude, with a done-1000000000-times-before concept and an artwork to shame it, this is the kind of album that HURTS the name of prog, because it represents all of the clichés of today's prog groups and steals plenty from their ancestors (the flute passages sounding like sub-par Tull amongst others), not escaping ridicule along the way.

Don't get me wrong, I haven't heard (or more likely very partially skipped through) an awful album, far from it. I mean, these guys obviously put a lot of work behind such a "project", but really before making such an investment, they should consider the need to actually invest time and money into such a needless and ill-advised concept album. One might think that they most likely did it for themselves, which is fair enough, but does the average proghead really need the lost of time in such inessential products as this one (let alone time, but cash as well). The "folk" is very cliché and reductive, always around the jig- type, their metal a bad mix of Hair Metal and Europe (the group) -AOR and is a bit laughable, while the symphonic parts are nearly as cliché as their folk;

I have no idea if their other records are any cheesier than this one, but I can say that this double-fondue dose gave me no envy to check out their other albums. Best avoided, 'less you like heavy stomachs, gummy teeth, reeking breath and difficult digestion.

mago de oz in my opinion is a very good band this cd was the first one i heard from them and as soon as i hears "hasta que el cuerpo aguante" and that kick ass solo in "santania" i was hooked. Its true that the cd has its up's and down's but what cd doesn't. And yes the vocals do sound some what distoted but its live, you cant expect perfect sound in a live album. Over all i think this album was great not there best but close.

A concept album, "La Leyenda De La Mancha" has MAGO DE OZ using heavy metal to bring Cervantes' story of Don Quijote de la Mancha to a young audience.

The cartoonist Gaboni has done some odd and amusing CD art for MAGO DE OZ albums and this one does not disappoint, the back cover showing a tatooed Sancho Panza wearing a MOTORHEAD T-shirt over his paunch, with leather jacket and earring! Don Quixote, in his jeans and bullet belt, has a guitar slung over his shoulder and is thumbing a lift.

'En Un Lugar...' starts with bagpipes and the sounds of battle, followed by Gaelic fiddle and tin whistle. Then it ups tempo, and guitars, bass and drums kick in using the same tune.

'El Santo Grial' is a real fast-paced rocker with Gaelic fiddle and José howling the lyrics. It owes more to the Classic Rock styles of DEEP PURPLE, RAINBOW, SCORPIONS, MOTORHEAD and AC/DC than Progressive Rock. It's not bad for head-banging rock music, though. There is a 'classical' interlude at machine gun speed using rock instruments and fiddle, playing a very well-known classical tune (Brahms' Hungarian Dance No. 5 in f sharp minor).

'La Leyenda de la Mancha' is another thumping Classic Rock-style number. Some great guitar soloing in this one. Fiddle midway through brings in the Gaelic feel again, but this is not Prog Rock either. Good, though.

'Noche Toledana' just consists of twangy, reverberating guitars picking out a tune.

'Molinos De Viento' is another Gaelic-sounding rocker of a song, although it has some quieter moments over some catchy fiddle. This is a real foot-tapper of a number and makes me want to sing along. Very enjoyable, actually. Quite interesting when the guitar takes up the part of the fiddle.

'Dime Con Quién Andas' is the slow rock ballad style so beloved of the Classic Rock bands, although there is some pleasant slow Gaelic-sounding fiddle too. Some heavy chopping guitars come in partway through and I can't complain. I also enjoy the wailing guitar solo.

'Maritornes' is another fast, thumping number with chopping axes assisted by fiddle in the refrain. Same formula, and again nothing to do with Progressive Rock. s'OK, though. I like the thumping beat. Another foot-tapper.

'El Bálsamo De Fierabrás' is just pure AC/DC. The guitar rocks. This is what you should have blasting from the stereo in your cabriolet with the top down on a sunny day as you cruise down the highway.

'El Pacto' starts quietly with some plucking acoustic guitar and Gaelic fiddle playing a simple but pleasant folk-ish tune. But, before long, in crash the guitars over the fiddle and José belts out the song as usual. Then some very DEEP PURPLE guitar soloing à la "Machine Head". Quite enjoyable over violin.

'La Insula De Barataria' starts off with very Gaelic fiddle and tin whistle over bass and drums. Another simple tune, but enjoyable, and I find it difficult not to whistle along. Then there's an interlude with some heavy guitar and almost Ian Anderson-like flute before the violin and tin whistle take over again. What can I say, I can't help liking it and tapping my foot. This would be great fun down the pub.

'El Templo Del Adiós' is another slowish ballad with fiddle in the background. Again a simple tune, but not bad for that. Rounded off nicely by some acoustic guitar.

'Réquiem', at over eight minutes, is the longest track by far on the album. It starts off calmly and very effectively, and the echoing, massively heavy chopping axes that come in are the business. This is quite an interesting track, actually, because it's pure Classic Rock in feel and yet, listening to it, it has interesting twists and changes in tempo and mood. Have to say I enjoy what the boys did on this one. The most 'progressive' track on the album. Love those axes. Crank this one up loud.

'Ancha Es Castilla (Epílogo)' rounds off the album nicely. It's a quieter song with acoustic guitar and some flute, and with an almost medieval sound and simplicity to it. José sounds rather like a minstrel on this one.

Now, this album has precious little to do with Progressive Rock. It's 180 degrees off my normal listening route, but I just happen to like the MAGO DE OZ formula: the addition of fiddle, tin whistle, the occasional flute and even bagpipes to produce a Gaelic feel here and there over some classic licks and chopping axes is quite fun. I also like the singing in Spanish, which makes an interesting change from the vast number of rock songs in English. There's no subtlety to it (especially to José's singing) but, hey, the group do what they do well and, sometimes, I want a meaty chargrilled burger with extra relish and fries, not nouvelle cuisine.

OK, what about a rating? Forgetting rock music genres, I would give this album 3.5, possibly 4 stars. As this is a site specialising in Progressive Rock, I'll stick to the 3 stars (Good, but not essential) but, if you like foot-tapping Classic Rock and the prospect of a Gaelic lilt to it sounds interesting, do give this album a try. Don't expect Progressive Rock, just fun music. Metal lovers should have no trouble at all enjoying this one. Rock on, MAGO DE OZ!