Mägo de Oz
Encyclopedia
Mägo de Oz is a Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...

 folk
Folk metal
Folk metal is a sub-genre of heavy metal music that developed in Europe during the 1990s. As the name suggests, the genre is a fusion of heavy metal with traditional folk music...

/heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...

 band from Begoña, Madrid
Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...

 formed in mid-1988 by drummer Txus di Fellatio. In 1992, the band were finalists in the Villa de Madrid contest. Then, they went onto achieve great success in Spain, and in 1995, were declared Revolution Rock Band. Around 1996, the band's definitive line-up began to emerge; that same year, they began recording the rock opera
Rock opera
A rock opera is a work of rock music that presents a storyline told over multiple parts, songs or sections in the manner of opera. A rock opera differs from a conventional rock album, which usually includes songs that are not unified by a common theme or narrative. More recent developments include...

 CD, Jesús de Chamberí
Jesús de Chamberí
Jesús de Chamberí is the second album by Spanish folk metal band Mägo de Oz, which was released in 1996. The album that made Mägo de Oz popular in Spain — a rock opera about a Jesus of the modern day on Madrid, and the start of the band's trend of heavily criticizing the Catholic Church...

, which was produced by Alberto Plaza and Mägo de Oz. The CD was released in 1996, through Locomotive Music
Locomotive Music
Locomotive Music or Locomotive Records is an independent record label based in Spain.-Selected artists:* A.O.K.* Adagio* AlogiA* Anthenora* Anubis Gate* Astral Doors* Barón Rojo* Before the Dawn* Benedictum* Blood Stain Child* Crystallion...

. The band are well known for the strong Celtic
Celtic music
Celtic music is a term utilised by artists, record companies, music stores and music magazines to describe a broad grouping of musical genres that evolved out of the folk musical traditions of the Celtic people of Western Europe...

 feel to their music strengthened through their constant usage of a violinist and flautist. The name for the band was chosen, according to founding member Txus, because "life is a yellow brick road, on which we walk in the company of others searching for our dreams."

History

The band was founded in May, 1989 by the drummer Txus di Fellatio, who slowly recruited the rest of his members for the band, and by 1992, had a line-up. Originally, the band was called "Transilvania" (Transylvania in Spanish), named after the metallic instrumental piece of the same name from their idols, Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band from Leyton in east London, formed in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Since their inception, the band's discography has grown to include a total of thirty-six albums: fifteen studio albums; eleven live albums; four EPs; and six...

. In 1992, the band members were:
  • Txus: drums and backing vocals
  • Mohamed: violin
  • Charlie: lead guitar
  • Chema: rhythm guitar
  • Salva: bass
  • Juanma: lead vocals, backup drums


They recorded several demos: "Y qué más da" (1989), "Canción de cuna para un bohemio", and a third one in 1992. Their music was open to a wide range of styles and influences, but still basing their full musical potential in folk metal and Celtic music.

In 1992 the band was the finalist in the festival, "Concurso Villa de Madrid". But even still, Chema, the guitarist, decided to leave the band. His replacement was Carlitos. Through two recording sessions, and the ousting of Charlie and Chema's reentry into the band, the band launched their debut in 1994, produced by Txus and Alberto Plaza under the name, Mago de Oz. This album found very little success and people were barely aware of the band's existence. During this time, Mago de Oz suffered one of their most difficult times, now with the definite expulsion of Juanma and Chema. In 1996, the lineup that has persisted almost until the present time was formed. Here, we see the entrance of José Andrëa replacing Auri, a singer who had only recorded a couple of demos then decided to leave the band, and Frank replacing Chema. By then, the lineup consisted of:
  • Txus: drums and backing vocals
  • Mohamed: violin and backing vocals
  • Carlitos: lead Guitar and backing vocals
  • Frank: rhythm Guitar, acoustic guitar, and backing vocals
  • Salva: bass and backing vocals
  • José Andrëa: lead Vocals, keyboards


The very same year, the band began recording their rock opera
Rock opera
A rock opera is a work of rock music that presents a storyline told over multiple parts, songs or sections in the manner of opera. A rock opera differs from a conventional rock album, which usually includes songs that are not unified by a common theme or narrative. More recent developments include...

 album, Jesús de Chamberí
Jesús de Chamberí
Jesús de Chamberí is the second album by Spanish folk metal band Mägo de Oz, which was released in 1996. The album that made Mägo de Oz popular in Spain — a rock opera about a Jesus of the modern day on Madrid, and the start of the band's trend of heavily criticizing the Catholic Church...

, which dealt with the theme of Jesus' return to the Madrid neighborhood of Chamberí. The album was edited and sold under the label Locomotive Music
Locomotive Music
Locomotive Music or Locomotive Records is an independent record label based in Spain.-Selected artists:* A.O.K.* Adagio* AlogiA* Anthenora* Anubis Gate* Astral Doors* Barón Rojo* Before the Dawn* Benedictum* Blood Stain Child* Crystallion...

. Mago de Oz saw a huge surge in popularity following the release of the album, due largely in part to the addition of their newest singer, José Andrëa, who was clearly a far superior singer than the original Juanma.

The band promoted the album with the "Via Crucis Tour", which further cemented the band's popularity in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...

. In 1997, the band decided to rerecord five songs from their debut album, now with the new singer. The EP simply bears the title Mago de Oz, however many fans refer to it as La Bruja, meaning "The Witch" in Spanish, as there is a witch playing a violin with a moon backdrop, on the album cover. The name has now become as a de facto name for the EP and even the official website now refers to the EP as simply "La Bruja". Indeed one can compare this to a very similar occurrence with the Beatles' self-titled album, The Beatles, but it is referred to by fans as "The White Album".

La Bruja further opened Mägo de Oz's chance for more festivals and events, and obtained more success than Jesús de Chamberí
Jesús de Chamberí
Jesús de Chamberí is the second album by Spanish folk metal band Mägo de Oz, which was released in 1996. The album that made Mägo de Oz popular in Spain — a rock opera about a Jesus of the modern day on Madrid, and the start of the band's trend of heavily criticizing the Catholic Church...

.

Mägo de Oz began to take a strong interest in concept albums and rock operas as was shown in Jesús de Chamberí. Still instilled with this interest, Mago de Oz released their third and perhaps most famous album, La Leyenda de La Mancha. The album is a modern retelling of Miguel de Cervantes' Don Quixote. Rock opera has been a style present in all of their albums from Jesús de Chamberí up until the present.

Mägo de Oz embarked on their "The Riiiichal Tour" which contained the greatest number of concerts performed ever on a tour (115 concerts).

Because of the massive success of "La leyenda de La Mancha", and to mark their 10th anniversary, the band released a documentary concerning them called "Resacosix en Hispania", in 1999. The documentary was later released on DVD in 2004.
Towards the end of 1999 Mägo de Oz embarked in an ambitious project: a double disc dubbed Finisterra
Finisterra (album)
Finisterra is a 2000 album by the Spanish folk metal band Mägo de Oz. It narrates the story of Satania, a fictional society in the future where life depends on the Internet and computers.-Plot:In the year 2199, a new order, Satania, is ruling the world...

. Fueled with a desire to succeed musically, the band recruited Sergio "Kiskilla" on the keyboards and accordion
Accordion
The accordion is a box-shaped musical instrument of the bellows-driven free-reed aerophone family, sometimes referred to as a squeezebox. A person who plays the accordion is called an accordionist....

 and Fernando on the flute. The album was then released in 2000. This album has been the most folk out of all of the albums, while still keeping their heavy metal roots. The tour for this album was also far more sophisticated than previous ones, now with elaborate sets, pyrotechnics, and impressive lights. This also marked the departure of the bassist, Salva, and the entrance of his substitute, Sergio. In 2002 the band released their first live album, Fölktergeist, a compilation of songs played at different shows throughout the tour.

In 2003, Mägo de Oz released an album named Gaia
Gaia (album)
Gaia is a 2003 album by Spanish folk metal band Mägo de Oz. It is the first rock opera of a trilogy. The album tells of a man, the reincarnation of Azzak , who after his execution, is relieved of his soul: the soul of Azzak...

, the first in what would become a trilogy completed in 2010. This album showcased hit songs such as "La Costa del Silencio" and "La Rosa de los Vientos". By that time, Mägo de Oz had already started performing concerts in Latin America. Some fans disliked Gaia, as it shows a softer side of Mägo de Oz, however the album shows a great step ahead in the musical maturity of the band. Gaia can be considered as a concept album with two main themes surrounding the plot, the wild Spanish conquest of America and the extreme ecological abuse of mankind towards mother earth (Gaia). The CD includes a high quality booklet which contains a touching and cruel story about the subjects mentioned before. Every chapter takes you to a carefully selected song that complements the plot and the story. The album features flutes and violins, and has a Celtic rock
Celtic rock
Celtic rock is a genre of folk rock and a form of Celtic fusion which incorporates Celtic music, instrumentation and themes into a rock music context...

 sound.

In 2004, Mägo de Oz returned to the studio to record Belfast
Belfast (album)
Belfast is an album by folk metal artists Mägo de Oz, which was released in 2004.-Track listing:# "Irish Pub" - 2:58# "Belfast" - 4:52# "La Rosa de los Vientos" - 6:19...

 named after the city in Northern Ireland and the numerous ethnic conflicts that have taken place there. Many of the songs on the album are simply re-recordings of songs on previous albums. The band recorded a metal version of "La Rosa de los Vientos" as well as adding some orchestral improvements to certain earlier songs.

At this time, Mägo de Oz underwent important changes: the entrance of a third guitarist, Jorge Salán, and within a few months, the departure of bassist, Sergio.

In 2005, Mägo de Oz released two albums. The first one, was a second live album called Madrid - Las Ventas
Madrid - Las Ventas
Madrid – Las Ventas is a live album by folk metal artists Mägo de Oz, which was released in 2005.-Disc one:# "Obertura MDXX"# "Van a Rodar Cabezas"# "Ancha Es Castilla"# "Fiesta Pagana"# "El Que Quiera Entender Que Entienda"# "El Pacto"...

, recorded in Madrid's bullfighting arena, Las Ventas. There were some rather large complications concerning this album, since Locomotive Music had released the album, and Mägo de Oz had now signed themselves under a new label, and therefore, Locomotive Music did not have the consent of the band. The second disc, Gaia II: La Voz Dormida, under the new label, Warner Dro, was the second album in the Gaia trilogy and it released a single "La Posada de los Muertos". For this album, came their newest bassist, Pedro "Peri". Along with "La Posada de los Muertos" came more singles: "Hoy Toca Ser Feliz" and "Diabulus in Musica". "Diabulus" is one of their most powerful anti-religious songs along with "La Voz Dormida". "Hoy Toca Ser Feliz" was promoted by a video with the members of the band dressed as the characters from The Wizard of Oz, Txus drumming in costume as Glinda
Glinda
Glinda is a fictional character in the Land of Oz created by American author L. Frank Baum. She is the most powerful sorceress of Oz, ruler of the Quadling Country south of the Emerald City, and protector of Princess Ozma.- Literature :Baum's 1900 children's novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz...

 the Good Witch, with giant wings.

During the tour for Gaia II, Txus temporarily left the band due to extreme exhaustion and problems which required his presence. His substitute for the time would be Joaquín Arellano, who filled in Txus's position at the drums for a month and a half. On September 8, 2006, Txus returned to the drums.

On December 5, Mägo de Oz released their very first greatest hits album Rock N' Oz
Rock N' Oz
Rock n' Oz is the very first greatest hits compilation of the Spanish folk metal band Mägo de Oz. It also comes with a special edition entitled The Best Oz which includes an extra disc containing rare recordings as well as a DVD highlighting their American tour.The album also has four rerecorded...

. This album included a re-recording of the songs "Molinos de Viento, "Jesús de Chamberí", "Hasta que tu Muerte nos Separe", and "El Cantar de la luna Oscura". The album is a double album, the first disc contains singles and the second non-singles. A special edition of Rock N' Oz, entitled The Best Oz came in a box set with the original 2 discs and an extra disc containing rare recordings including old recordings of songs never before released with the first singer Juanma still in the lineup. It also contains a DVD highlighting their American tour.

On October 10, 2007, the video for their latest single "Y ahora voy a salir
Y Ahora Voy A Salir
'Y Ahora Voy Salir' is the first single from the album 'La Ciudad De Los Arboles' by the Spanish Folk metal band Mägo De Oz. The video for the single was premiered on the band's official website on October 10 2007 and is due for release on October 16...

" ("And now I'm going to leave") was premiered on the band's website. The single was released on October 16, 2007 and is the first from their latest album La Ciudad de los Árboles
La Ciudad de los Árboles
La Ciudad de los Árboles is the eighth studio album by Spanish folk metal group Mägo de Oz, it was released on November 6, 2007...

 (The city of trees) which was released on November 6.

On November 10, 2008, Jorge Salán announced on the band's website about his official break-up from the band, to focus on his own music. Jorge will continue recording and touring with the band at special dates.

On April 6, 2010, the band released their latest album, Gaia III: Atlantia
Gaia III: Atlantia
Gaia III: Atlantia is the tenth album by the folk metal band Mägo de Oz. It will be the third installment of the trilogy "Gaia" which began in 2003 with Gaia and continued in 2005 with Gaia II: La Voz Dormida...

.

Current

  • Patricia Tapia - female vocals
  • Carlitos - lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Frank - rhythm guitar, acoustic guitar, backing vocals
  • Peri - bass guitar
  • Txus - drums, percussion, backing vocals
  • Mohamed - violin, viola, backing vocals
  • Sergio Cisneros "Kiskilla" - keyboards, synthesizers, samplers, piano, accordion
  • Josema Pizarro - flutes, backing vocals

Former members

  • Salva - bass guitar (1989–2002)
  • Charlie - lead guitar (1989–1993; 1994–1996)
  • Juanma Rodríguez - vocals (1989–1995)
  • José María Alonso "Chema" - rhythm guitar (1990–1996)
  • Tony del Corral - saxophone (1994)
  • Auri - vocals (1995–1996)
  • Sergio Martínez - bass guitar (2003–2004)
  • Luis Miguel Navalón - bass guitar (2004)
  • Jorge Salán - lead guitar (2004–2008)
  • Fernando Ponce - flute, whistle, gaita (2000–2010)
  • José Andrëa - vocals (1996-2011)

Studio albums

  • Mägo de Oz
    Mägo de Oz (album)
    Mägo de Oz was Mägo de Oz's debut album, released in 1994. It was edited and re-released in 1999.-Track listing:#"T'esnucaré Contra'l Bidé" - 3:51#"El Lago" - 4:29#"Rock Kaki Rock" - 3:14#"Gerdundula" cover of Status Quo] - 1:51...

     (1994)
  • Jesús de Chamberí
    Jesús de Chamberí
    Jesús de Chamberí is the second album by Spanish folk metal band Mägo de Oz, which was released in 1996. The album that made Mägo de Oz popular in Spain — a rock opera about a Jesus of the modern day on Madrid, and the start of the band's trend of heavily criticizing the Catholic Church...

     (1996)
  • Mägo de Oz (La Bruja)
    Mägo de Oz (La Bruja)
    Mägo de Oz is an album by folk metal artists Mägo de Oz, which was released in 1994.It includes five tracks from the original release, redone with the current band members. The title is not actually La Bruja - it is self-titled - but that is the name it acquired due to the witch on the cover...

     (1997 reedition)
  • La Leyenda de la Mancha
    La Leyenda de la Mancha
    La Leyenda de La Mancha is an album by the Spanish heavy metal band Mägo de Oz released in 1998. It is concept album, specifically a modern day retelling of Don Quixote. This album is perhaps their most famous one...

     (1998)
  • Finisterra
    Finisterra (album)
    Finisterra is a 2000 album by the Spanish folk metal band Mägo de Oz. It narrates the story of Satania, a fictional society in the future where life depends on the Internet and computers.-Plot:In the year 2199, a new order, Satania, is ruling the world...

     (2000)
  • Gaia
    Gaia (album)
    Gaia is a 2003 album by Spanish folk metal band Mägo de Oz. It is the first rock opera of a trilogy. The album tells of a man, the reincarnation of Azzak , who after his execution, is relieved of his soul: the soul of Azzak...

     (2003)
  • Belfast
    Belfast (album)
    Belfast is an album by folk metal artists Mägo de Oz, which was released in 2004.-Track listing:# "Irish Pub" - 2:58# "Belfast" - 4:52# "La Rosa de los Vientos" - 6:19...

     (2004)
  • Gaia II: La Voz Dormida (2005)
  • La Ciudad de los Árboles
    La Ciudad de los Árboles
    La Ciudad de los Árboles is the eighth studio album by Spanish folk metal group Mägo de Oz, it was released on November 6, 2007...

     (2007)
  • Gaia III: Atlantia
    Gaia III: Atlantia
    Gaia III: Atlantia is the tenth album by the folk metal band Mägo de Oz. It will be the third installment of the trilogy "Gaia" which began in 2003 with Gaia and continued in 2005 with Gaia II: La Voz Dormida...

     (2010)
  • Gaia: Epilogo (2010)

Live albums

  • Fölktergeist
    Fölktergeist
    Fölktergeist is a live album by Mägo de Oz, which was released in 2002.-Disc one:# "Satania"# "Maritornes"# "El que quiera entender que entienda"# "El Santo Grial"# "El Lago"# "Hasta que el cuerpo aguante"# "El Cantar de la Luna Oscura"...

     (2002)
  • Madrid - Las Ventas
    Madrid - Las Ventas
    Madrid – Las Ventas is a live album by folk metal artists Mägo de Oz, which was released in 2005.-Disc one:# "Obertura MDXX"# "Van a Rodar Cabezas"# "Ancha Es Castilla"# "Fiesta Pagana"# "El Que Quiera Entender Que Entienda"# "El Pacto"...

     (2005)
  • A Costa da Morte
    A Costa da Morte
    A Costa da Morte is a 2007 Mägo de Oz album.The Spanish Death Coast is called a Costa da Morte in the Galician language.-Disc One:# "Intro Gazza Ladra"# "El Santo Grial"# "Molinos de Viento"# "El que Quiera Entender"# "Santa Compana"...

     (2007)
  • Barakaldo D.F. (2008)

Compilations

  • The Best Oz
    Rock N' Oz
    Rock n' Oz is the very first greatest hits compilation of the Spanish folk metal band Mägo de Oz. It also comes with a special edition entitled The Best Oz which includes an extra disc containing rare recordings as well as a DVD highlighting their American tour.The album also has four rerecorded...

     (2006)
  • Rock N' Oz
    Rock N' Oz
    Rock n' Oz is the very first greatest hits compilation of the Spanish folk metal band Mägo de Oz. It also comes with a special edition entitled The Best Oz which includes an extra disc containing rare recordings as well as a DVD highlighting their American tour.The album also has four rerecorded...

     (2006)
  • Rare Zds (2006)

Videos

  • A Costa da Rock (2003)
  • Finisterra (2003)
  • Resacosix en Hispania (2004)
  • Madrid - Las Ventas
    Madrid - Las Ventas
    Madrid – Las Ventas is a live album by folk metal artists Mägo de Oz, which was released in 2005.-Disc one:# "Obertura MDXX"# "Van a Rodar Cabezas"# "Ancha Es Castilla"# "Fiesta Pagana"# "El Que Quiera Entender Que Entienda"# "El Pacto"...

     (2005)
  • Barakaldo D.F. (2008)

Singles

  • Molinos de viento (1997)
  • Resacosix en Hispania (1999)
  • Fiesta pagana (2000)
  • ¡Feliz Navidad, Cabrones! (2000)
  • El que quiera entender que entienda (2000)
  • Molinos de viento (live) (2001)
  • La danza del Fuego (2001)
  • Pensando en ti (2002)
  • La costa del silencio (2003)
  • El atrapasueños (Promo) (2004)
  • La rosa de los vientos (2004)
  • La posada de los muertos (2005)
  • Hoy toca ser feliz (2006)
  • Diabulus in Musica (2006)
  • Y ahora voy a salir (Ranxeira) (2007)
  • Deja de llorar (2008)
  • Que el viento sople a tu favor (2010)

Demos

  • Y qué más da (1989)
  • Canción de cuna para un bohemio (1990)
  • Con la cabeza bien alta (1992)

External links

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