Lords of Black

Lords of Black - Mechanics of Predacity album cover art.
Album Reviews

LORDS OF BLACK – Mechanics of Predacity

March 22, 2024 Bryce Van Patten

Italian based Power-Prog masters Lords of Black strike hard with their 6th studio release titled Mechanics Of Predacity on Frontiers Music s.r.l., which is easily their most aggressive album to date. Masterminded by guitarist/founder Tony Hernando, the album has a blend of beautiful acoustic guitar passages, tying into full throttle Heavy Metal. The lineup remains constant with Ronnie Romero (Rainbow, MSG, Elegant Weapons) killing it on the vocals, the incredible drumming of Jo Nunez (Dragonland, Firewind, Gus G.) and the expert bass guitar work of Dani Criado (Ankhara (live), ex-Kaothic). Predators and Prey The narrative unfolds as a contemplation of how individuals, tribes, nations, and entities engage in an unending cycle of predation. The album addresses the harsh reality that greed, power, and malevolence have consistently fueled conflicts throughout history. The eternal conflict between oppressors and the oppressed, predators and victims, is shown in the lyrics “the weak ones seem to be just the meat for the strong ones to eat”. Final Notes Lords of Black have been on the rise since their debut album, which launched Ronnie Romero into fame. Mechanics of Predacity really shines, showing how far this band has come, and this is the best work so far by the band as a whole. The album has a fantastic mix by Roland Grapow (ex-Helloween), and is a true gem. Fans of everything Ronnie Romero, and of any Power Prog will want to add this to their collection. Lineup Ronnie Romero: Vocals Tony Hernando: Guitars Dani Criado: Bass Jo Nunez: Drums Mechanics Of Predacity – Tracklist For What is Owed to Us Let the Nightmare Come I Want the Darkness to Stop Let It Burn Can We Be Heroes Again Crown Of Thorns Obsessions of the Mind Build the Silence A World That’s Departed I. About to Rese …READ MORE

Tony Hernando Of Lords of Black
Interviews

TONY HERNANDO (LORDS OF BLACK):”We Feel It’s A Traditional Album To Enjoy From Top To Bottom“

March 4, 2024 Bryce Van Patten

Known for their skill and prowess in Progressive Power Metal, Lords Of Black are poised to wow fans once again with their sixth studio album: Mechanics Of Predacity, scheduled for a global release via Frontiers Music on March 15, 2024. With compelling lyrics, and powerful and passionate musicality, the songs are all expertly combined in this amazing record. Mechanics Of Predacity represents a pinnacle in the band’s career. Lords Of Black’s creative ability is demonstrated by the outstanding compositions of Tony Hernando, the powerful drumming of Jo Nunez, the great bass guitar of Dani Criado, and of course the expressive voice by Ronnie Romero. Metal Express Radio’s Bryce Van Patten caught up with guitarist/founder of Lords Of Black Tony Hernando, discussing the new album, Tony’s song writing process, upcoming live events, and a whole lot more. Lords of Black Lineup Ronnie Romero: Vocals Tony Hernando: Guitars Dani Criado: Bass Jo Nunez: Drums Check out the video of “I Want The World To Stop” by Lords Of Black off of their new album Mechanics Of Predacity here.

Ronnie Romero
Interviews

RONNIE ROMERO (MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP): (On His Solo LP) “We Went More Into The B Sides… It Was More Challenging”

April 15, 2022 Bryce Van Patten

Ronnie Romero is one vocalist who is never at a loss for work, and who’s made a huge name for himself showing his diverse talent singing for some of the biggest names in Hard Rock and Heavy Metal. Ronnie has sang for Lords of Black, Destinia, CoreLeoni, Sunstorm, The Ferrymen, Walter Giardino Temple, and Rainbow, and is currently getting ready to tour in support of the new Michael Schenker Group album. With all of this on his plate, Ronnie has put together a great collection of cover songs that are a little different from what you’d expect. Metal Express Radio’s Bryce Van Patten had a chance to talk with vocalist Ronnie Romero of Michael Schenker Group, Rainbow, Lords of Black and Sunstorm about his busy career, his new solo album titled Raised on Radio. Ronnie also talks about the bands that inspired him in his youth, when Ronnie James Dio was at his greatest, and a whole lot more. Lineup Ronnie Romero – vocals Srdjan Brankovic – guitars Javi Garcia – bass Andy C – drums Alessandro Del Vecchio – keyboards MER Gallery

RAINBOW (Live at The Hydro, Glasgow, U.K., June 25, 2017)
Interviews

RONNIE ROMERO (SUNSTORM, LORDS OF BLACK, THE FERRYMEN): “I Just Got The Call From The Record Label To Sing The Songs… JOE LYNN TURNER Is One Of My Favorite Singers”

March 17, 2021 George Dionne

A New Storm On The Horizon Whether you love it or hate it, Joe Lynn Turner is out as the vocalist of Sunstorm after 5 albums. Frontiers Music President Serafino Perugino originally conceived the AOR project in 2006 to showcase the former Deep Purple/Rainbow front man’s ’80s style roots. Even with Turner gone from the project, Frontiers still saw value in the brand. Rather than let Sunstorm die off, in-house producer/songwriter Alessandro Del Vecchio was brought on board to help recapture the AOR magic of the first album, that slowly started to fade with each future release. Chilean-born singer Ronnie Romero was the label’s first and only choice to lead Sunstorm into its new era. Romero more than proved his vocal prowess when Ritchie Blackmore recruited him for his Rainbow revival in 2015. Romero also shines on his other Frontiers Music projects, Lords of Black and The Ferrymen. This contributor had the chance to listen to an advance of the new Sunstorm album Afterlife [review]. Those that are quick to dismiss it because of the vocalist change are really missing out. If you give it a chance and listen with an open mind, you will realize that Afterlife is a powerful, melodic, and edgy AOR album. When you consider that Romero is known as a “Metal guy,” and he delivers just as well when he ‘softens up’, you’ll realize just how versatile of a talent Ronnie is. I had the chance to speak with Ronnie Romero about his involvement in latest version of Sunstorm. Highlights Include Discussion of the new Sunstorm album Afterlife Transitioning from Heavy Metal to AOR Working with producer/songwriter Alessandro Del Vecchio Keeping the Sunstorm name after changing vocalists Dealing with social media criticism The future of Lords of Black, The Ferrymen, and Vanderberg Will there be …READ MORE

LORDS OF BLACK - Alchemy Of Souls
Album Reviews

LORDS OF BLACK – Alchemy Of Souls

November 11, 2020 Alex Reis

Fourth Time is a Charm Spanish Power/Prog Metal act Lords of Black are back with their fourth full-length release, Alchemy of Souls. Vocalist Ronnie Romero (Rainbow) and guitarist Tony Hernando’s brainchild delivers the goods in a bigger payback than ever before. MER’s George Dionne has interviewed Tony Hernando about this release. Click here to listen to the interview. The overall sound of Alchemy of Souls is mainly modern Power Metal with a blend of  Classic Heavy Metal moments and Progressive passages that are always tastefully mixed into the arrangements without interfering with the music’s flow. Lyrical themes revolve around the current divide in the world in economics, politics, and ideas. Production, handled by Roland Grapow (Masterplan, ex-Helloween), is amazing, with a wide soundstage, clarity in every instrument, breadth and depth in the synths, and unmatched weight in the drums, bass, and guitars. A little more attention to bringing vocal harmonies forward would be welcome, but there’s something to be said for the approach taken that showcases Ronnie’s vocal prowess better than wider choirs would. Classic Heavy Metal heritage meets modern Prog/Power Ronnie Romero’s vocals are extremely competent and bear an uncanny resemblance to another famous Ronnie, the one and only Ronnie James Dio. May he rest in peace. Richie Blackmore has described Romero’s voice as “a cross between Ronnie James Dio and Freddie Mercury,” and he’s not wrong. Hernando’s guitar playing and songwriting are spot on, threading on modern Power Metal while avoiding most of the genre’s clichés. Album Breakdown “Dying To Live” lives or dies by Romero’s vocal performance, which is spot on. The track is a proper Power Metal anthem, with inspired riffs and a sticky melody that will stay in your head for a long time. Lyrics revolve around a call-to-arms, linking to modern politics and the …READ MORE

Ronnie Romero and Tony Hernando of LORDS OF BLACK (Live at Trillians, Newcastle, U.K., December 6, 2016)
Audio Interviews

TONY HERNANDO (LORDS OF BLACK): “[RONNIE ROMERO And I] Realized That We Are Stronger Together Than Separated”

November 5, 2020 George Dionne

Spanish Power Metal Act Decries There is Hope in a World of Chaos Lords of Black was formed by two world class Spanish musicians, guitarist Tony Hernando and vocalist Ronnie Romero. The band self-released their self-titled debut in 2014. Lords of Black got the attention of several record labels after Romero was chosen by Ritchie Blackmore to front the latest version of Rainbow. Now signed by Frontiers Music, Lords of Black released II in 2016 and Icons of the New Days in (2018). 2019 looked to be a rough year for the group as Ronnie Romero announced his departure in January. Lords of Black continued their live show commitments with a couple of different singers until the Covid-19 lockdowns began. Earlier this year it was announced that Ronnie Romero had returned to Lords of Black. It was said that guitarist Tony Hernando had written such a powerful album, that Romero just couldn’t resist. On November 6, 2020 Lords of Black releases their fourth album Alchemy of Souls, Part 1 [review]. I had the chance to speak with Tony Hernando about his latest album. We also discussed what lead to the loss and return of Romero, his musical endeavors during Lords of Black’s downtime, our love for the band Giant, and what he has planned going forward. Lords of Black is: Ronnie Romero – Vocals Tony Hernando – Guitars Jo Nunez – Drums Dani Criado – Bass Band Links: Official Site Facebook Instagram

LORDS OF BLACK - Icons Of The New Days
Album Reviews

LORDS OF BLACK – Icons Of The New Days

May 15, 2018 Stevie Shred

Icons Of The New Days is the third album from Spanish Power Metal band Lords Of Black.  Formed in 2014 in Madrid by singer Ronnie Romero, guitarist Tony Hernando, and drummer/keyboardist Andy C., the current line up is rounded out by bassist Javier Garcia.  Icons Of The New Days is certainly a Power Metal release, but Lords Of Black also incorporate elements of Melodic Metal, Progressive Metal, and even some Industrial or NuMetal nuances, particularly in the keyboards.   The album features 12 tracks, ranging in length from 4:26 (“Not In A Place Like This”) to well over 11 minutes (“All I Have Left”), and there is very little downtime. Track 1, “World Gone Mad”, begins with a brief musical interlude that quickly erupts into a powerhouse, with Progressive chops on display.  Romero has an impressive range, and a guttural quality well suited to Power metal.  Excellent production, excellent performances, and interesting and well written songs are the rule, and while there are some chops heavy moments, Icons Of The New Days doesn’t lose its listenability.  There are even some elements of Classical Music added for good measure, such as the piano intro to “The Way I’ll Remember”, and the acoustic guitar on “All I Have Left”.  Very good record, and a must listen for Power Metal, Melodic Metal, and of course, Lords Of Black fans.  TUNE INTO METALEXPRESSRADIO.COM at NOON & MIDNIGHT (EST) / 6:00 & 18:00 (CET) TO HEAR THE BEST TRACKS FROM THIS UPCOMING RELEASE!!!