El camino del fuego

Yes, Rata Blanca is back after five years of slumber. The classic lineup returns, (Barilari on vocals, Bistolfi on keyboards, Sanchez on bass, and Giardino on lead guitar), except for Gustavo Rowek (Who is replaced by Fernando Scarcella) and Sergio Berdichevsky, who is now a part of groove metal band Nativo. Walter decided to leave the band with five members (Exactly as Rata Blanca started back in 1988).

"El camino del fuego" is a mature and powerful album which redefines Rata Blanca's music and gives their fans a new reason to believe in them. It approaches to many genres (hard rock/melodic heavy metal/power metal/neo-classical metal), and tries to reach every field it can, in order to please their most "die-hard" fans. After the underrated "VII", which was blasted by 90% of their fan base, and greatly caused them to disband for a few years, it was clear that the only way the band could regain respect was to go back to their neo-classical roots, reinventing themselves, and blending their unquestionable talent to create a solid, inspirational and strong comeback album.

Did this happen? We'll find out right now...

Contrary to what many could have expected, the album starts with speedy and rock 'n' rollish track "El amo del camino" (Master of the highway), which immediately catches our attention, because the song is very different from what the band has done in the past. However, it reminds me of beauties like "Lejos de Casa" (From the album "El libro oculto"), or the cover "Traveling band" (From the album "Entre el cielo y el infierno), but it is not your average, energetic song, which is only good to listen at first and then becomes repetitive. No, "El amo del camino" is way more complex, energetic, stunning, and Giardino's soloing gives more life to the track, crowning it as an interesting highlight. I think this is one of the best openers that Rata Blanca has released in years.

"Volviendo a casa" ("Back home") is a song which causes mixed emotions, because it is, indeed, a good song, but the problem is its radio friendly approach, which has made the band get out from their cave again and be heard everywhere, especially by non-metal listeners. This track is probably the weakest part of the album, featuring a sloppy chorus, average riffs and lyrics, and little more. Don't be scared, because the rest of the album is way much better.

"La canción del guerrero" ("The warrior's song) is the third track from "El Camino del fuego". Just for a few pointers... This is NOT a "rip-off" of them. This song’s background story is fully connected to the classic tune "Guerrero del arcoiris", since it tells the story of the "Rainbow Warrior" itself, and explores his feelings, thoughts and reactions after watching how the human race is walking through a path of self-destruction. ("Guerrero del arcoiris", in the contrary, is told by a desperate human being who seeks for help.) This song was supposed to be released long ago, but there was never a place for it until now. You can breathe deeply with relief, since you will listen to an epic, power metal-oriented track. Barilari performs way too different here, because of his growls, which made me feel pretty surprised, because he carries his voice to agressive boundaries, and the result is amazing.

"Abeja reina" ("Queen bee") is another old school rock 'n' rollish song, but more mid-paced and entertaining. It is a hilarious homage to all the "femme fatales", who captivate men, play with them, until they drive their victims crazy. Sexy and catchy, "Abeja reina" is the song which hooks you up for the rest of the album, along with the nostalgic "Lluvia Purpura" (Purple rain), an outrageous highlight of this album, which shows how Deep Purple has influenced the band throughout their career. If you were looking for a worthy example of how 70's heavy metal was made, then this is the song for you, because it brings back the sound of legendary groups like Whitesnake, Judas Priest, and, of course... The band to which this song is dedicated: Deep Purple. Next, we have "Señora Furia" (Mrs. Fury) which is a slow-grower, yet enjoyable track. It doesn't have any musical depth, and the lyrics are average, but it has its memorable parts, and this is a nice way to relax a little bit, since the best is about to come.

"Sinfonia fantastica" is one of those Rata Blanca's unique songs, which can only be described as masterpieces. It is an apocalyptic story, where good and evil battle to see which one is the last force to prevail. This is, as its name suggests, a "fantastic symphony", because it includes (In more than nine minutes) all the virtuosity of Walter Giardino, epic passages, magical atmospheres, and the "Rata Blanca sound" which distinguishes them from the rest of the bands in this world. This is one of the highest points of the album, and a brilliant creation which can be compared to other classics such as "La leyenda del hada y el mago", or "El ultimo ataque".

Ballads can never be left behind, and this is how we discover slow, depressive, but average "Cuando la luz oscurece" ("When the light darkens"), which has infuriated many fans, because of its "poppish" approach and its lack of "feeling". However, although this is not a strong song, it's not bad, either, and there's a huge blues influence, which they didn't use until now. Anyways, the main problem is Barilari's voice, which is not appropriate for these types of songs, since it waters out the emotions that are supposed to be reflected in the listener. He sounds too low, to the point where his voice becomes very annoying. Fair, but forgettable song, which has been said to be the worst ballad that Rata Blanca has ever done.

Don't worry, the trip isn't over yet, and it's good to know that the two remaining tracks from the album are killer, astounding and catchy as hell. First, we have "En nombre de Dios?" ("In the name of God?"), the first song that I heard from this album back in 2002, and it sends blazes down to my vertebrae every time I play it, because it is a power-metallish and neo-classical jewel, with raging riffs, solos and drumming. It carries a few religious phrases, but there are many truths among the lyrics, which prevents the song from falling in the same field of lyrical themes commonly used by white metal bands. In addition, "En nombre de Dios?" is a total head-banging experience.

"Caballo Salvaje" ("Wild horse") happens to be the closing song of the full-length album "El camino del fuego", and it is another surprise for the listener, since it starts with a keyboard intro, which is suddenly followed by a nice bass shredding from Guillermo Sanchez, who definitely brings us his best performance. The excitement grows from that point, since you feel haunted by this mid-paced heavy metal song, which has, in some way a curious "raw", wild sound. The solo part sounds as if you were actually listening to a wild horse, can you believe it? All these elements help to create the best experience for any true metal head, because they add the extra touch that the song needs to stand as the perfect closing track for this LP.

Production couldn't be better. In fact, Rata Blanca has never let us down in this area, and the only "minus" I have to mention is that the sound is louder than it should be, and there are a few distortions here and there (Like in the song "Abeja reina", but this was suddenly fixed with new reissues which didn't have this problem). Other than that, the sound quality is admirable, and it increases the score for this album.

Apocalypse, war, freedom, depression, daily life, and rock 'n' roll... All of these are included in "El camino del fuego". Sometimes it's hard to combine so many different elements into a single album, but Rata Blanca does it with no problem at all, being a mature band, holding the title of the most representative icon from Argentina, having more than 15 years of life, (at the time this album was released), and they prove once again that the legendary journey which they have traveled throughout their own "highway on fire", is far from over.

Highlights: "El amo del camino", "La cancion del guerrero", "Lluvia purpura", "Sinfonia fantastica", "En nombre de Dios?"

After two changes of vocalist and more than 5 years, Adrian Barilari returns to Rata Blanca, and Rata Blanca returns to the style that made them famous in Argentina, Latin America and Spain.
El Camino del Fuego it's clearly different from Entre El Cielo Y El Infierno and Rata Blanca VII, in some points you could say it's still the same thing after 15 years, but i think this is a great record.
El amo del camino opens the record with a very rock 'n roll-ish style, a song to listen in the car doing 100 mph, great song.
Volviendo a casa is the typical ballad to sell albums, it's a sad thing to say but it's true, it's sad that these kind of songs are the ones who the whole world know, which are, also, the worst songs of the band.
La Canción del guerrero is the typical power metal song, with something of Deep Purple in the solo and the riff, but really catchy song.
Abeja Reina is as simple as great, with a extremely simple riff the whole song makes you nod your head as the drums are played.
Lluvia Purpura it's a very purple song, with a catchy riff and great lyrics. A great song to open shows.
Señora Furia it's a very rock and roll-ish song, with great druming and bass playing.
Sinfonía Fantastica is THE power metal song, more than 9 minutes of pure power metal riff and soloing and the usual lyrics about this songs.
Cuando la luz oscurece it's one of the greatest songs of this album, mixing a ballad with a blues guitar and sweet voices, it's one of this songs when you are alone and outside is raining, one of the greatest ballads of the band.
En Nombre de Dios? it's another highlight in the record, showing a typical Rata Blanca riff but this time with stronger keyboards in the back and an incredible great solo, fucking great.
Caballo Salvaje, the last song of the album, begins with a Rainbow-kind-of- keyboard intro and the riff makes you nod your head every time.

Some people might say it's the same thing after 15 years, it could be, but at least this great guitar player (Walter Giardino) always tried to create the solo based in the song, not the song just to fit the solo. I remember the time when Ritchie Blackmore talked about Yngwie Malmsteen saying he was a great guitar player, but he still didn't knew how to write good songs.....well, Ritchie, i think that here in Argentina you have a great follower, and he surely can create great songs.

RATA BLANCA – EL CAMINO DEL FUEGO.

Most of Rata Blanca’s stuff that I've heard so far is usually slightly above or under average. This one is no exception. Compounded by ten tracks which are not very different from the ones on the previous album or the previous to that or every Rata Blanca effort since 1990, this album proves that the band is tight as always but running out of riffs and lyrical ideas.

The opener is “Amo Del Camino” which is a very fast and rocker song. All the instruments are played pretty well and fit right into the song but Giardino’s soloing is far the best on this one. “Volviendo a Casa” is the lame hit that was played more times in the radio than I'd care for and I'm sure was a cool song before I heard it five million times in FM HIT. Next is “La Canción Del Guerrero” Only by reading the title you will realize that they were running out of ideas lyrically. This album is easily an absolute rip off from themselves; it is a fast power metal type of song with a Malmsteen-type guitar playing and it is surely one of the highlights of the album. Next is “Abeja Reina” which is not spectacular, but it's a really fun listen. Catchy and entertaining mid-paced song with cool guitar riffs and catchy verses that fit decently. “Lluvia Purpura” is another of the highlights. It’s a clear tribute to Deep Purple. It’s a heavy and hitting mid paced number in the vein of Deep Purple (who else?) and it features catchy verses and nice vocal harmonies.

“Señora Furía” is an average heavy song with a good drumming but nothing spectacular, and then again it is quite generic. “Sinfonia Fantastica” is an average power metal slow tune; it starts good but keeps on losing steam until it becomes simply boring. Next is “Cuando la Luz Se Oscurece” and I'm deeply sorry but this song just completely fucking sucks, they intended to do a mix between a ballad and a blues song and plainly failed at it. It ended being a fag moron joke that it doesn’t even make me laugh. Then we have “En Nombre De Dios” and an incredible fast-paced riff is belted out by Giardino and the keyboard melodies fit in awesomely, but the chorus really sucks dick. I hate evangelist fags, religion and all that crap and lyrics about it makes me go mad. Again there’s good soloing by Giardino and fitting bass lines, good work by Sanchez indeed. The closer song is “Caballo Salvaje” which is another average rip off heavy song.

Well....hmm....Giardino was pretty cool. He wasn't the god everyone makes him out to be but he is a very capable guitarist and riff-writer, even though he stole half of his riff repertoire to Blackmore or Malmsteen. The vocalist Adrian Barilari sounds really strained most of the time but also he delivers some good acute screams a couple of times. Sanchez on bass, Scarcella on drums and Hugo Bistolfi on keyboards stand out just fine, not brilliant but far away from bad.

Conclusion: the album is very well played and although it's good it certainly doesn't deserve all the praise it receives. I am starting to get sick of the perfect guitar players that are copy cats of Malmsteen and are considered geniuses instead of rip offs.