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Don't miss this piece of Latin American history!
Reino Ermitaño is a band from Perú formed in 2001 by Tania Duarte (vocals), Henry Guevara (guitars), Marcos Coifman (bass) and Julio Almeida (drums). For their musical proposal, the band embraced the down-tuned and slow riffs of Black Sabbath and Doom Metal pioneers like Pentagram, The Obsessed, Saint Vitus, Trouble, Iron Man, and elements of 70’s Heavy and Prog Rock from bands like Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Cactus, Genesis, Jethro Tull, etc.
The original line up recorded the first three albums, “S/T” (2003), “Brujas Del Mar” (2006) and “Rituales Interiores” (2008) and then parted ways with their guitarist. The promotional tour of “Rituales Interiores” took the band to Europe, where they played in the famous German festival “Doom Shall Rise”, sharing the stage with titans like Pagan Altar, Lord Vicar, Revelation, Tortured Spirit, among others. For the band, this tour was the opportunity to gain fans around the world and recognition as a force to recognize within the heavy underground scene.
In 2012, they recorded their fourth album “Veneración Del Fuego” now with Eloy Arturo as their guitarist. With this line up the band also delivered their latest album “Conjuros De Poder” in 2014, consolidating their reputation as one of the most important Latin American Doom Metal bands.
This year the Peruvian label Necio Records, which we presented in our first edition of “Meet the Labels” a few months ago, gave all the fans of the heavy riffs the good news that they would release the band’s debut on vinyl, giving us the perfect opportunity to review and remember this classic.
How is the sound ?
As soon as you hear the first songs of the album, you can tell the love this band has for classic doom metal, particularly for bands of the Maryland scene, something that is evident as soon as you hear the first riffs of “El Ensoñador”. In “Las Hadas” the band incorporates acoustic elements, something that suits well with the fairy-focused lyrics. These kinds of arrangements will be a constant in their next albums and part of the trademark sound of the band. “Espacio Interior” is an instrumental piece that reminds of Sabbath classics like “Laguna Sunrise” and “Fluff”. “Letargo” is a jam-driven song that expands the musical palette of the band by reminding us pioneering heavy rock bands like Blue Cheers, Sir Lord Baltimore and Leaf Hound.
“Birro, El Mórbido” is a cover from Mazo, another classic Peruvian doom metal, a song that fits pretty well in the album. “Bardo” is an instrumental piece with folk arrangements inspired by Medieval and Celtic music. “Fortaleza”, “Profundidad De Las Sombras” and “Celda Del Dolor” are part of the main dish of the heavy feast the band has delivered since the first song, they’re pure doom metal of the highest caliber.
“Danza De Las Brujas I” is another instrumental piece inspired by Medieval music and could easily set the mood for a sword and sorcery or fantasy adventure. This song and its continuation, “Danza De Las Brujas II”, works as introduction and closure to “Melquiades” and “Mariposa”, the heaviest songs and my favorites of the album. The acoustic intro and mid-section of “Mariposa” also have strong elements of 70’s prog rock, reminding us of bands like Genesis, Jethro Tull and Camel.
Remember this album was released 16 years ago. Back in the day, when doom metal had not experienced the new boom of the last decade, the band was able to deliver a fresh proposal with a unique approach, a sound that would be refined and consolidated in later works.
Why is this album worth listening ?
- A historical document that shows the beginning of one of the most important bands from Perú and Latin American before Doom Metal became a global trend thanks to the consolidation of the internet and streaming platforms. Reino Ermitaño is the equivalent to Los Natas for the doom scene: an excellent Latin American band that managed to transcend national borders and become an obligatory reference of the genre.
In what situation you should listen to this album ?
- At home with a pair of good headphones, so you can bang your head with the heavy guitar riffs of Henry Guevara and witchy vocals of Tania Duarte.
- While teaching a lesson of Heavy Music History and the importance of Latin American bands for the global scene.
Something particular to note ?
As I said before, Necio Records is in charge of the vinyl reissue of this album. You can grab it thru the label’s Bandcamp and get a piece of Latin American doom metal history.
Favorite Track
La Mariposa
For Fans Of
Chained Lace, Pentagram, Misty Grey, Saint Vitus, Trouble, Iron Man
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