Nepal: Manifiesto (re-issue 2023) | Argentine Heavy Metal At Its Maximum Expression
(RGS Music – 2023)
From time to time, many classic Argentinean Metal albums that over time had been discontinued are once again available in physical format. This jewel that is “Manifiesto” by the legendary Nepal could not be the exception. At the time it was the biggest gamble they made and its aura had become legendary. Now thanks to this re-release, we can rediscover one of the best works of national Heavy Metal from a band that should be recognized as the band that rowed the hardest since its foundation, back in the 80s. You have to think that in those times, even in the ’90s, it was quite difficult for national bands to release an album, and to be recognized, especially when you didn’t have an ex V8 among the ranks. Well, Nepal managed to stand out and above all, to release a pretentious album like the one we are talking about.
“Manifiesto” has 11 tracks (12 if we count ‘Crisis Total’, which is included as a bonus track), which were recorded between 1996 and 1997 at ‘El Zoológico’ studios with a system that few have been able to use. It is the “Holophonic’s 3D Sound” that allows the sound recording in three-dimensional form, achieving the famous holophonic sound, which can be really appreciated in a good high fidelity audio equipment. Nepal was the first Metal band to use this technology, whose technical explanations are too many and exceed the purpose of this review. If we can say that “Manifesto” has an excellent audio quality, a very good mix and a work that should have brought them more recognition than they got in their time.
Among the songs included we can highlight the excellent “Ciegos de Poder”, a classic from Nepal; “Perfil Siniestro” (with the participation of André Matos from Angra on vocals), Más Allá Del Asfalto”, etc, tracks that deepen the straightforward Heavy Metal that Nepal always offered, with that very national imprint for which it was always characterized. The vocals of the great Larry Zavala is already a national heritage, and added to the great base built by one of the emblems of the bass in the National Metal, Beto Vazquez, that great guitarist Javier Bagalá and the great work of Facundo Vega on drums, build the best work of Nepal after so many years of fighting.
There we find an excellent song like “Besando La Tierra”, an excellent tribute to the 30000 prisoners disappeared by the Argentine military dictatorship (I can already imagine the fascist and crybaby girls saying that they are not 30000), and that counts with the participation of Hansi Kürsch (Blind Guardian), with an excellent orchestration. There is also a different version of this track in English entitled “Stagnant Waters”, voiced by Kürsch himself and Martin Walkyer.
Nepal also took time to include two covers. “Children Of The Grave” by Black Sabbath and ‘Lanzado Al Mundo Hoy’ by V8. “Crisis Total”, as a bonus track closes the album.
Regarding the lyrics, sharp as always, Nepal does not move from its axis, focused on social and political criticism with a simple structure and without any euphemisms or metaphors. This re-edition preserves the cover, very good and superior to that of their previous albums.
Perhaps the re-release of this great work responds, on the one hand, to the unavailability of this title in the physical format and, on the other hand, to Nepal’s return to the stage, sporadic and without the continuity of those years. Whatever the reason, the good thing is to be able to enjoy again a great work like “Manifesto” and put things in their place. Nepal, rightly, is a very important part of the history of Heavy Metal in Argentina, and that is not a minor issue.
Fortunately, this album is available both on compact disc and vinyl.
