Azeroth: Azeroth | The Return Of A Legendary Album
(2025 – Cuervo Records)
There are albums that are hard to forget, ones that have left a significant mark on the evolution of Spanish heavy metal. Azeroth’s debut album falls into that category. Does anyone remember those years? Yes, we have to go back to the year that kicked off this millennium. The year 2000, a time when European and German-style power metal reigned supreme, and everything seemed to be colored by the sounds of bands like Stratovarius or Rhapsody. Of course, here in Argentina the scene seemed to follow the global trends, and suddenly, out of nowhere, this project appeared. With countless ads in the genre’s leading magazine of the time (“Epopeya”), we all wondered where this had come from.
This was “Azeroth,” which, with an untitled album, offered something different. With a lineup consisting of Fernando Ricciardulli on bass and keyboards, Jose Manuel Villagra on guitars and backing vocals, and Maria Eugenia Ricciardulli on drums, percussion, and backing vocals, Azeroth’s sound diverged from the classic, basic lines of Power Metal. Their style, much closer to Blind Guardian than to Rhapsody to give a reference, had its own personality and resulted in an album that over the years became a true classic of Spanish-language heavy metal. Here it is again in the form of a reissue, and as a way to celebrate the 25th anniversary of its release.
Azeroth’s work on this debut album is nearly perfect. It’s a testament to when genius defies all limits. Returning to this material is like revisiting the old days for those of us who discovered this gem back then. And there isn’t a single track here that doesn’t sound like a classic.
Of course, part of the success captured on the album comes from the collaboration of two great vocalists, legends of the national heavy metal scene: Adrian Barilari (Rata Blanca) and Christian Bertoncelli (formerly of Horcas, Imperio, and Renacer; currently with Bertoncelli), two exceptional singers who brought their personal touch to every song they performed. But that’s not all—this new edition of Azeroth’s debut album comes with a bonus track: the band’s cover of a Logos classic, “No Te Rindas,” featuring none other than Alberto Zamarbide.
Naturally, this new edition contains the original tracks from the initial release, starting with the intro “El Dominio,” a symphony of keyboards and synthesizers that sets the stage for a true explosion: “En Agonía,” one of Azeroth’s finest expressions, both in lyrics and music. A tremendous blow that packs a punch, not only because of its sound but also because of the emotions its lyrics evoke. Barilari’s performance… what can I say! I never imagined hearing him sing in that register, but I believe, without fear of being wrong, that this must be one of the best performances of his musical career.
Since everything seems well thought out, structured, and cohesive, “La Salida” feels like a natural continuation. With lines and chords more in the style of Melodic Power Metal, and featuring Bertoncelli on vocals, what we find is a beautiful rendition of another of the album’s gems. “Esclavos Del Tiempo” is another must-hear gem; in the vein of a ballad taken into Metal territory, here Azeroth makes use of its versatility to craft another piece that touches our very souls.
“Campaña Al Desierto” also bears the mark of the legendary. An impeccable exploration of a dark chapter in Argentine history, with a slight nod toward more classic and traditional Heavy Metal, featuring Barilari and Bertoncelli sharing vocal duties. A true classic of Spanish-language Metal. Meanwhile, “En La Frontera De Toda Razón” is a flawless showcase of the virtuosity Azeroth demonstrated on this album. Its riffs, rhythms, and rapid passages, combined with its haunting melodies, establish it as another classic track on the album.
The epic and climactic has its place with “El Fin,” which is actually a traditional Irish melody to which Azeroth added narrative-style lyrics by Juan Vanrell and their own arrangements. A sort of epic, beautiful, and climactic poem. And so we arrive at another classic, “Historias De Hoy,” which, with its melodic tone and keyboards taking the lead, showcases that melodic, mid-tempo side that once again highlights the greatness of this album.
The epic and majestic finale comes in the form of “El Ocaso De Los Reyes.” Thoroughly medieval and featuring the classic sound of Melodic Power Metal, yet in their own unique style, Azeroth closes out an essential album in their history. A debut that, quite rightly, is part of the history of Argentine metal. And as we’ve already mentioned, this new edition includes, as a bonus track, the version Azeroth recorded with Alberto Zamarbide of a Logos classic, “No Te Rindas,” which is much more Power Metal than the original version.
The production of this album was a real game-changer at the dawn of the 2000s. Recorded in various studios but mixed by Charlie Bauerfeind in Hamburg, Germany, it gave this work a unique feel. With a crisp, sharp sound unlike anything else heard in those years, revisiting this material today is incredibly fascinating.
Not to mention the cover art. A true classic as well, and unlike the original version, this physical edition comes with a redesigned inner sleeve, featuring images that illustrate the theme of each song, as well as old photos from Azeroth’s early days—all presented with truly high-quality materials. And I don’t want to forget that sort of collectible postcard that accompanies this reissue, which is a bonus for those who purchase this physical edition.
Azeroth’s debut album marked, for many, an era. For the band, it wasn’t just their debut. It was perhaps one of the best things they’ve ever done in a studio. The tracks here aren’t just classics for the band; they’re also essential material at any concert. A reissue has been long overdue, especially considering that it became hard to find since it had been out of print for so long. Once again, Azeroth is making an album available that is worth listening to again, enjoying, and rediscovering…
To get this great album, we recommend contacting the label via the link below, or the band, whom we recommend following on social media to stay updated on news, tour dates, and more….
https://www.facebook.com/CuervoRecords
https://www.facebook.com/azerothmetal
https://www.instagram.com/azerothmetal
