LA CIUDAD DE LOS ÁRBOLES

An interesting music with Spain lyrics and good musicianship. The use of violin enriches the music really well. The music is not typical progressive metal - it has some traditional elements as well. The album opens excellently with 'El Espíritu del Bosque (Intro)' - 1:46 that serves as overture of the album: setting the overall tone of the music they offer in the album. It flows excellently into second track 'La Ciudad de los Árboles' - 6:02. I like this track very well because it has excellent composition combining electric as well as acoustic instruments (violin) with traditional elements, performed in energetic fashion with excellent vocal work. The traditional elements are really good. I like the style and tempo changes that happen frequently during the track. The next track, as the title implies 'Mi Nombre es Rock & Roll - 6:03, is basically a straight rocker with good violin inserts that sometimes remind me to Kansas. The guitar solo is stunning. 'El Rincón de los Sentidos' - 4:38 involves violin since the beginning of the track and the violin serves as background during vocal at low register notes. My favorite track is 'La Canción de los Deseos' - 4:01 which basically a pop song backed nicely with violin and piano. I think the beauty of Mago de Oz music is their musicianship in blending modern instruments with the traditional elements using violin and piano as main instruments. The keyboard work is also nice.

It's a good album and it's different than what you usually hear. It's a new experience for me. Keep on proggin' ...!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

Between the recording of "Gaia II" and "Gaia III," Mägo de Oz took a break from the extensive rock opera format to offer us a more straightforward album, without such a clear concept and with a somewhat more rebellious air!

For this, they entered the Cube studio in Madrid in 2007 with the same lineup as "Gaia II" and already with Patricia Tapia as an official member of the group. Txus and the company's idea was to create songs that did not exceed 5 minutes in duration, with a less metal and more festive overall atmosphere.

Unfortunately, in my opinion, the quality of the compositions on this album did not match up, despite the initially good idea. The album does emit lighter and less serious vibe, occasionally reminiscent of "Jesús de Chamberí" but ultimately, the main feeling is that everything this album offers to our ears has already been heard before, and much better.

After four or five listens, it's difficult to pick out any specific track or chorus, as the album falls into absolute mediocrity and does not hold up over the long term. The sound is excellent, and the musical execution is quite competent (Jorge Salán is an outstanding guitarist), but the lyrics are generally overly sentimental and rely too much on clichés, and the melodies are far from the memorable tunes that made them great in albums like "La Leyenda de la Mancha" or "Finisterra."

Best songs: Y ahora voy a salir (not a good song at all, but at least surprising to hear Mägo de Oz attempting to sing a Mexican ranchera) and Runa Llena (a decent instrumental track)

Conclusion: "La Ciudad de los Árboles" is a lighter and more direct album compared to the "Gaia" trilogy, which was the main project the band was involved in at that time.

However, this is no guarantee of quality, as the album falls into absolute mediocrity, with very few genuinely acceptable songs and practically none that are memorable. In my opinion, it represents a true low point in the band's discography, both musically and lyrically, and is a completely forgettable work.