Music without Labels XXX
Heavy´s new wave by Iron Maiden
Sacred minimalism by Arvo Pärt
Power beat by Los Giros
Heavy metal VI: New Wave
At the end of the sixties, new bands appeared on the UK’s productive underground scene. By mixing traditional heavy metal and the speed of punk, they gave way to the so-called new wave of British heavy metal.
Among a long list, we can highlight groups such as Saxon, Diamond Head and Def Leppard, who from their hometown Sheffield set out to conquer the North American market. Their formula was: an imperative sound and elegant melodies.
Iron Maiden - Phantom of the Opera (1980)
This is a live version that they recorded in a concert of a song written by bassist Steve Harris. It appeared in their first album, named after the band’s name. It shows their power and expertise in live performances.
Iron Maiden were the pioneers of the new wave of British metal. They named themselves after a medieval torture device, and the horrible monster of their album covers is popular all around the world. They formed in London in 1976, with Steve Harris at the helm. After a rough start with an independent record, they entered the payroll of the powerful EMI label. The recipe of their success can be summarised in energy, technique and mythological epics. Their concerts are characterised by riffs, good melodies, two guitar sets and Bruce Dickinson’s compulsive screams.
International: Arvo Pärt
Arvo Pärt is an Estonian composer who is considered to be the forerunner of minimalist music, more specifically of sacred minimalism. He was a pioneer in this style, like his contemporaries Henryk Górecki and John Tavener.
Pärt is best known for his latest works, in which choral works stand out. He is a rare example of a composer that’s modern and oblivious to popular trends who reached popularity in life. He’s received many international awards.
Arvo Pärt – Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten (1984)
This is a self-written track that was released in his album Tabula Rasa. It’s performed by the Staatsorchester Stuttgart directed by the North American master Dennis Russell Davies.
Arvo Pärt was born in Paide (Estonia) in 1935. He started his musical education at seven years old and at fourteen he wrote his first compositions. Starting from Shostakóvich and Prokófiev’s Neoclassicism, he evolved towards a personal style that plunged him into a deep crisis. Later, drawing from the roots of antique music, he started a new style of music that he called tintinnabuli to which he added sacred texts with two-part singing. After 1980, Pärt migrated with his family to Vienna and later to Berlin, where he lived for thirty years. In 2010 he returned to Estonia, where he currently lives and directs his own foundation.
National: Los Giros
Los Giros are an emerging band that appeared in the musical scene of Elche. It’s formed by Iván Fernández on vocals and guitar, Asencio Ortíz on guitar and backing vocals, Miguel Ángel Requena on bass and Santi Vilella on drums.
They are influenced by the bands from the British invasion, pop art, psychedelia, the American’s west coast garage sound and the Spanish ensembles of the sixties to create a refreshing mix of power pop, beat and soul.
Los Giros - Redención (2019)
This is a track that was composed by Iván Fernández Watson that serves as an introduction to the band. It was recorded in the purest analogue style and edited by the Almeria label Clifford Records.
Los Giros began their journey in 2018, when Iván decided to set up the band to see his musical unrest though. They quickly completed a repertoire full of their own songs and a few covers. At the beginning of 2019, they began touring as the supporting artist for Paul Collin’s Beat. They continued performing in various festivals and in May this year they took part in the IPO festival in Liverpool, playing their famous The Cavern. Currently they are immersed in the preparations of their first album.