Tandem: La Vida Es Hoy | A Simple And Effective Formula
(2025 – Icarus Music)
Simple rock, or rather hard rock, with good, powerful songs used to be one of the best excuses for heavy music in the ’70s, ’80s, and even in the early ’90s. Over time, much of that sound was lost in the immeasurable and inevitable alleys of modernity. Tandem chooses a different path, offering us a kind of bridge to that old sound without losing its relevance.
Originality does not seem to be one of Tandem’s fundamental characteristics, it is true, but they make up for this lack with their personality, offering a kind of cross between old melodic hard rock and A.O.R., with influences ranging from Rata Blanca, Rainbow, Deep Purple, Scorpions, etc., working on tones that are foreign to the classic genre and with a vocalist like Javier Dular, who has a voice that is different from what one might expect from a band like Tandem, and which in a certain way is fundamental in giving a different color to the band’s proposal, in which the riffs and guitar orchestrations also stand out, being the fundamental basis on which the band’s sound is supported.
Thus, “La Vida Es Hoy” becomes an invitation to enjoy 10 songs with different sensations, good taste, and melodies that undoubtedly round out a good album. The opening track, “Lágrimas De Rabia,” has that hook that is so recognizable in good songs, and in a way, invites you to delve deeper into this album, continuing with the title track, with a firm and precise riff as its hallmark and a chorus interesting enough to keep you hooked.
“Hipnotizado” is perhaps the most seventies-esque moment on the album. It is conceived as a remembrance of the good old days, while “Susurros” takes us on a kind of ballad with a guitar riff intro that gives it a different feel. What follows is the classic and typical slow song. “Traición En Mis Venas” shows a side close to the melodic Scorpions, to give a reference.
An interesting riff accompanies “Mundo Nuevo,” one of the best songs on the album and one of the closest things to metal we’ll hear from Tandem, as in “No Estas,” the following song, which has a semi-galloping march feel so typical of neoclassical metal.
With “Tanto Amor,” we have another of the album’s mid-tempo ballads, followed immediately by the energetic “Electroshock,” which makes its presence felt with classic hard rock intentions and heavy guitar riffs.
The finale comes with “Amor Valiente,” one of the most interesting ballads on the album and one that arouses the most feelings.
In short, “La Vida Es Hoy” has all the makings of a classic hard rock album, with no pretensions other than to offer a variety of songs based on a combination of that genre with some touches of what could be more traditional heavy metal and even a slight tendency towards A.O.R. In any case, one of the most notable characteristics is the persistence of a very classic base, with strong guitars, riffs, chords, and strums that give each song a distinctive touch, in addition to the sonic and orchestral cushion that the keyboards provide at every moment of the album.
Clearly, there is no intention on Tandem’s part to invent anything new or unusual. Their strength lies in the songs, which are both classic and emotional compositions, with roots in classic rock and metal. However, it is not that there is an excessive attachment to this, but rather that the band manages, based on their influences, to have their own sound and personality, giving them their own style without resorting to anything too novel.
The formula is simple and effective. Strong foundations, based on guitars, and structures that border on classic rock and hard rock. This is the best definition of what Tandem is.
Modesty is the best definition of the artwork. To begin with, the cover is not entirely original, although we found it to be appropriate, without standing out too much. Inside the booklet, the design follows the same line as the cover, as does the CD. The lyrics and photographs of the members of Tandem are also included. Precisely, and in relation to the lyrics of the songs, these are personal and very lyrical.
The album was recorded at RUMA Studios, but mixed and mastered at the well-known La Nave de Osberg Studios by Sebastián Manta. The overall production was handled by Tandem themselves, so we assume it is a self-managed product, beyond the support of the Icarus Music label.
At the moment, “La Vida Es Hoy” is only available in physical format on compact disc, in addition to the usual digital edition, and can be purchased mainly through the label’s official website.
Finally, we leave you not only with the coordinates to follow Tandem on social media, but also with the lyric video for the title track of this interesting album…
https://www.facebook.com/TandemRock.ar
https://www.instagram.com/tandemrock.ar
