Guerrero del Arco Iris

After the inspiring album "Magos, espadas y rosas", things couldn't get better for Rata Blanca. Or could they? The bottom line is that in those years, the band had a very strong fanbase throughout Argentina and South America, and their previous record was a huge success, so Rata Blanca had to continue with their music legacy releasing a worthy follow-up record. This was how "Guerrero del arcoiris" appeared on 1991, and I also consider this album as Rata Blanca's magnum opus.

If you thought "Magos, espadas y rosas" was a classic masterpiece, you'll be stunned and captivated with "Guerrero del arcoiris", (titled in honour of the Greenpeace ship named "Rainbow Warrior") since it is a more complex and mature album than the previous one. It still has the epic touch which made the band so famous, but it also focuses in other lyrical themes (Rock 'n' roll, feelings, independence) which makes it more diverse and interesting. It has two of the group's most important and brilliant ballads ("Nada es facil sin tu amor", "Noche sin sueños"), an incredible set of anthems ("Angeles de acero", "Abrazando el rock 'n' roll", "Los ojos del dragon", "Guerrero del arcoiris"), and the production quality is very good. What about Adrian Barilari? Yeah, you guessed it right... His endless talent covers this release with a golden signature, because his voice has developed itself to be more leveled than ever. This is something that no one, and I mean NO ONE should miss.

Evolution shows itself with two solid, radio friendly (In a small way), and rock 'n' rollish tracks. "Hombre de Hielo" (Ice man), and "Angeles de Acero" (Angels of steel), songs that you will listen over and over again, because they are catchy as hell, the riffs are absolutely memorable, and they have been remembered by Rata Blanca's fanbase throughout the years. Positive messages of independence urging the weak of mind to stand up and fight for what they believe in can be found in those songs as well as in the outstanding "Quiza empieces otra vez" ("Maybe you will start again"), a song that reminds you in some way of "El camino del sol" (From the album "Magos, espadas y rosas"), because of its soft intro and dark atmosphere (Performed by Hugo Bistolfi), but this song is heavier and more direct, very enjoyable, and Walter's shredding doesn't let us down, boosting the quality of this album to unreachable heights.

"Noche sin sueños" (Night without dreams) is that one remarkable ballad which cools down the emotions and grabs our senses. Hugo Bistolfi is the main
star with Barilari, and work magnificently. However, Giardino's guitar is the element which adds the song a romantic, yet melancholic and lonely atmosphere. This is probably their most well-known ballad after "Mujer Amante", but this track is slower, sadder, and less radio friendly (Which is good). The headbanging experience rises again with "Abrazando el rock 'n' roll", an adrenaline shot for everyone out there who enjoys and believes in true rock 'n' roll, which undoubtedly never gets old, and it's going to live forever, no matter if you're only a teenager, or if you're an aged man. Once you hear the opening riff, you'll feel trapped because of its beauty, and it'll grab you from head to toe, because there's so much adrenaline flowing all around the song, with catchy choruses and smart lyrics. It's a fabulous rush of blood to your brain.

Want some power metal blasts? Where you starting to miss speedy songs like "El beso de la bruja"? Well, guess what. "La boca del lobo" is the perfect song for you to drive crazy and revive the neo-classical approaches that Walter Giardino has offered since the band's debut. This is a very interesting turning point for the album, because the pleasant experience grows with the title track of this jewel called "Guerrero del arcoiris". Mystical, passionate and inspirational, this is how I describe it, and it makes the album reach to an indescribable climax, with mid-tempos and the best riffs in the history of the band. It is a real life warcry like none other, and a warning for all the human race in order to save our planet from tearing apart. "Los ojos del dragon" (The eyes of the dragon), is as epic as "Guerrero del Arcoiris", but faster and more neo-classical oriented, and you guessed right again... Very influenced on shredder Yngwie Malmsteen (Check out Malmsteen's albums "Marching Out" or "Trilogy" for further details). This is another highly recommended song if you've enjoyed what this album has offered so far.

Finally, we arrive to the last song of the album, "Nada es facil sin tu amor" ("Nothing is easy without your love"), and just with the title, you can have a good idea of what this song is up to. Yes, this is the second ballad of the album, almost as slow as "Noche sin sueños", but it turns into a mid-tempo song after the decent guitar opening, followed by low-pitched vocals (At first). This is an average ballad, and I see it as the continuation of "Noche sin sueños", but it doesn't have the personality or depth of the previous one. "Nada es facil sin tu amor" could have been replaced by an instrumental shred-fest of Mr. Giardino. However, it's not a bad track, and you MUST pay attention to the high pitched sharp note which appears at the end of the song. Absolutely outstanding!

And this is a small overview of "Guerrero del Arcoiris". I don't feel that it's neccesary to add anything else, because I don't want to be redundant. This release describes perfection, not only in sound, but also in lyrical themes, feelings, and music in general. Each member plays at his best, and this is why "Guerrero del Arcoiris" has been so praised and considered as a modern influence for thousands of latin and Spanish heavy metal bands which have emerged in recent years. "Guerrero del arcoiris" has it all, and it is a very important part of Latin American heavy metal history. Another classic.

Highlights: "Guerrero del Arcoiris", "Abrazando el rock 'n' roll", "Los ojos del dragon", "Quiza empieces otra vez".

RATA BLANCA – GUERRERO DEL ARCOIRIS.

1991´s “Guerrero Del Arcoiris” is, in my humble opinion, Rata Blanca’s most representative and also their best album. This is the album in which all the ideas and formulas the band uses are shown at its best; the riffs are held tightly and cohesively by the drums, the vocals are high-pitched but not too much and the catchiness of the band is at its top.

There are several quirky and entertaining fast-paced numbers like “Hombre De Hielo” which shows a damn good main riff and a nice drum work backing it up. “Angeles De Acero” is another fast-paced anthem with a thick guitar tone that sounds quite similar to the one used by Baron Rojo on the early 80´s. The song is definitely catchy, especially that sweet and memorable chorus.

“La Boca Del Lobo” is a nifty and efficient power metal number with a consistent back up drumming. The title track “Guerrero Del Arcoiris” is a really catchy fast-paced number with a distinguished main riff, a nice melodic solo, an efficient vocal performance and a memorable chorus. “Los Ojos Del Dragón” is the biggest example of how catchy can this band be. It starts off with an epic intro and then the ubbercatchy riff kicks in backed up by proficient drumming and a moderately prominent keyboard. Definately this is how true power metal was played many years ago, imagine the second and third Blind Guardian efforts. This is more or less alike but featuring one of those overlong guitar solos by Giardino and even a keyboard solo, the fact here is that both solos work perfectly here.

Then we also have the rock & rollish “Abrazando Al Rock & Roll” which is a bit too overlong but still pretty good, another good and efficient number is “Quiza Empieces Otra Vez” which is quite a generic Rata Blanca tune but it’s nonetheless enjoyable.
“Noche Sin Sueños” and “Nada Es Facil Sin Tu Amor” are the obligatory sappy ballads that always lessen the band’s score for every damn album.

Conclusion: This is the best album by this band. Here Rata Blanca take all the distinctive and characteristic formulas they use and pt them on a higher level of quality and add lots of catchiness.