Lords of Black

Lords of Black
Lords of Black performing in 2017
Lords of Black performing in 2017
Background information
OriginMadrid, Spain
Genres
Years active2014–present
LabelsFrontiers
MembersTony Hernando
Daniel Criado
Johan Nunez
Ronnie Romero
Past membersDiego Valdez
Víctor Durán
Javi García
Andy C
Websitelordsofblack.com

Lords of Black is a Spanish heavy metal band formed in Madrid in 2014 by guitarist Tony Hernando and singer Ronnie Romero.

History

First album: 2014

In 2014, guitarist Tony Hernando founded Lords of Black together with vocalist Ronnie Romero. They were joined by drummer Andres Cobos (known as Andy C), who had previously played with Hernando in the band Saratoga. Their debut, self-titled album, was released in May 2014. It was produced by Hernando and Roland Grapow.[1][2]

Lords of Black II: 2015–16

Lords of Black received record label attention after Ritchie Blackmore announced that Romero would be fronting the revival of Rainbow. In early 2016, the band signed a contract with the Italian label Frontiers Records, with whom they released their next album, II.[3][4] Once again, Hernando and Grapow acted as producers, and mixing and mastering was done at Grapow Studios in Slovakia.[5]

In the fall of 2016, Lords of Black conducted their Merciless Over Europe Tour, with intentions to begin writing and producing a follow-up album afterwards.[6]

Icons of the New Days, departure of Ronnie Romero: 2017–19

While continuing to tour in support of their second album and making their first appearances at larger festivals such as Wacken[7] and ProgPower USA,[8] the band was writing and recording demos for the third album. The recordings took over a year to conclude and the album, titled Icons of the New Days, was released on 11 May 2018, with "Icons of the New Days" and "World Gone Mad" as singles. In January 2019, Ronnie Romero announced his departure from the band.[9]

Alchemy of Souls, Pt. I: 2019–present

In February 2019, Argentine vocalist Diego Valdez was announced as Romero's replacement. The band started pre-production for a new album and announced a live performance at Leyendas del Rock Festival. During the performance, they were joined onstage by Croatian singer Dino Jelusick. Additionally, drummer Andy C was replaced by Matt de Vallejo for the duration of the festival.[10]

In May 2020, Lords of Black announced the return of Ronnie Romero[11] and the conclusion of their latest album, Alchemy of Souls, Pt. I. Johan Nunez, who recorded the drums on the album, was announced as the replacement for Andy C.[12]

Band members

Current

  • Ronnie Romero – vocals (2014–2019, 2020–present)
  • Tony Hernando – guitar (2014–present)
  • Daniel Criado – bass (2017–present)
  • Johan Nunez – drums (2020–present)

Past

  • Diego Valdez – vocals (2019)
  • Víctor Durán – bass (2014–2015)
  • Javier García – bass (2016–2017)
  • Andy C – drums (2014–2020)

Discography

  • Lords of Black (2014)
  • II (2016)
  • Icons of the New Days (2018)
  • Alchemy of Souls, Part 1 (2020)
  • Alchemy of Souls, Part 2 (2021)
  • Mechanics of Predacity (2024)

References

  1. ^ "Lords of Black". discogs.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  2. ^ "Lords of Black Debut "Into the Black" Music Video". bravewords.com. 15 October 2020. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  3. ^ "Review del segundo trabajo de Lords of Black "II"". TNT Radio Rock. 6 May 2016. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
  4. ^ "New RAINBOW Singer RONNIE ROMERO to Release Second LORDS oF BLACK Album in March". Blabbermouth.net. 15 December 2015. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  5. ^ "ROLAND GRAPOW: With our new album we are going back to our roots". powermetal.no. 27 September 2019. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  6. ^ "Listen To New RAINBOW Singer RONNIE ROMERO Cover 'Lady Of The Lake' With LORDS OF BLACK". Blabbermouth.net. 24 June 2016. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  7. ^ "Lords of Black Live at Wacken Open Air 2017; Watch Prr-Show Video of Full Performance". bravewords.com. 4 May 2020. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  8. ^ "LORDS OF BLACK triunfan en el Festival Prog Power en Atlanta, EU" [LORDS OF BLACK triumph at ProgPower Festival in Atlanta, USA]. rafabasa.com (in Spanish). 12 September 2017. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  9. ^ "Rainbow Singer Ronnie Romero Quits Lords of Black". blabbermouth.net. 3 January 2019. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  10. ^ "Lords of Black en Leyendas Del Rock 2019" [Lords of Black at Leyendas Del Rock 2019]. metaljournal.net (in Spanish). 21 August 2019. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  11. ^ "Lords of Black - Ronnie Romero kehrt zurück" [Lords of Black - Ronnie Romero Returns]. rockhard.de (in German). 11 May 2020. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  12. ^ "Lords of Black – Alchemy of Souls, Part I (Album Review)". sonicperspectives.com. 27 October 2020. Retrieved 8 January 2021.