Master Of Rock 2025 -Tecnópolis, Buenos Aires 26-04-2025 | These Cool Old Guys
(By Javier Dinovitzer)
The time tunnel is still working and, as if it were not enough, it brought six emblematic Metal bands to these lands, with a diversity as catching as rarely can be found. Opeth, Queensryche, Savataje, Europe, Judas Priest and Scorpions (who came to the country but not to the event due to a health problem of their vocalist Klaus Meine). All of them promised a Rock party.
In an act of sincerity, I must confess that it was not easy to decide to buy a ticket considering that I was expecting a very long day of more than 10 hours of music with all that this implies. My legs hurt, my back was heavy and the fatigue was getting heavier with each passing hour, but my heart won over my reason and there I went, with great expectation and proudly wearing my Tourniquet t-shirt to listen to the bands that accompanied me in my adolescence.
OPETH
Gentlemen, this Swedish band is pure virtuosity. From the first song it was clear that their music is not easy to approach, with influences from very diverse bands like Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd, Morbid Angel, among others. I think nothing sounds like Opeth today, their live set was a roller coaster of totally positive sensations. When a band leaves you wanting to keep listening to them it means that the goal was accomplished. One favor, if you love music, don’t miss this band live.
QUEENSRYCHE
My big doubt was if the replacement vocalist for the great singer Geoff Tate could live up to the circumstances and, to be honest, he fulfilled all my expectations and I think those of the audience. It was a dream set, almost an act of generosity for the nostalgic. Classics like “Queen of the Reich”, “Operation Mindcrime”, “Take Hold of the Falme”, among other hymns, shows that Queensryche with its intelligent, delicate, sophisticated metal, is more valid than ever and is always a band that will never, but never, disappoint the lovers of melodic metal.
SAVATAGE
It took 20 years for the North American boys to return to the stage. A classic, honest band, that despite the time has not lost its freshness. We all knew that vocalist Jon Oliva could not come for health reasons, but ZaK Stevens rose to the occasion. Classic guitars and catchy melodies made SAVATAGE’s set a pampering to the soul, a reunion with the purest heavy metal and a demonstration that, despite the years, good music never loses its validity.
EUROPE
For those who think that Europe is simply “The Final Countdows” and “Carrie”, let me say that they are mistaken. This Swedish band is a locomotive, compact. Their vocalist, Joey Tempest, has it tied. An impeccable voice and a frontman who knows every corner of the stage and shows it in every song, accompanied by virtuoso musicians. Everything makes Europe still valid for lovers of classic metal, a band that excites and reminds us that rock is not only power but also melodies and heart.
JUDAS PRIEST
What can we say about this British band? They are the Maradona and Messi of metal, the masters of the music we love so much, 50 years of career. Their stage presence was overwhelming, pure power. They played almost all their classics accompanied by an audience that did not stop singing and getting excited at the same time. A chemistry that very few bands can achieve. Judas Priest came to Buenos Aires giving the sensation of being more alive than ever.
I confess that I bought the ticket more than anything to see the Scorpions, but taking stock while returning home, I realized that it was one of the events that made me more excited and vibrate. A mixture of nostalgia, tiredness, pain in almost all my body, but with an immense joy that made me forget the absence of the Germans.
Really, it was a party for those of us who love Rock and Metal focused on the ’80s. The downside was that we missed Scorpions, but well, anyone can have a bad day. Let’s hope they can visit Argentina in the near future. Due to time constraints, I couldn’t see the national bands that were performing (“Entre El Cielo y El Infierno”, “Tandem”, “La Carga” and others), but really this kind of festivals take time. Will there be a 2026 edition? Let’s bet there will, time will tell….
Thanks to the guys from “Armada de los Inmortales” who shared their photos with us. Due to lack of photographic equipment, we were not able to take pictures of each of the bands, so we are deeply grateful to them for allowing us to use theirs!!!!.
