Excalibur, a long established Spanish metal band has the unique distinction of having one of the rarest and most expensive albums ever issued. 1988's Generacion Maldita (Damned Generation) was produced by La Factoria Studios in Madrid before it burnt down and only 100 copies were issued.
On their third release Humo Negro (Black Smoke) a new division of XTREEM Music, Fighter Record is now focusing on a more traditional metal sound which Excalibur is perfectly suited. Paco Mira, the vocalist is excellent and reminds me of commercial Helloween (during those Keeper of the Seven Keys albums.) The band is musically tight and achieves a European sounding album complete with background keyboards or keyboard sounding effects which lends mood to many of the tracks.
I am particularly fond of "Europa" and the title track "Humo Negro" (Black Smoke) with their melodic guitar work and impassioned vocals all sung to lyrics in the Spanish language. For metal fans this is not a barrier but rather a fun challenge to appreciate the strength and conviction of international metal acts whom prefer to sing in their native language. When I was stationed in West Germany (in the USAF) I was stunned and then pleasantly educated on how The Scorpions would often sing nearly have their show in German. We take so much for granted but it is easy to overcome the unfamiliar when focusing on what does connect: soaring vocals, blazing guitars and healthy respect for a genre once thought dead during those awful Grunge days. It's never going to die with bands like Excalibur leading the way. Gracias, Excalibur.
Tracklist
1) Excalibur (4:25)
2) El Indigente (4:51)
3) Fuera de Lugar (4:01)
4) Rock and Roll (4:35)
5) Levantate (3:48)
6) Europa (4:27)
7) Fiesta Motera (4:06)
8) Humo Negro (3:41)
9) Fuego (4:06)
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