The electricity returned the moment the sand clock was turned over. Time has not diminished the power of the light, even if it has turned blue. They have resumed the route in the place left by Oñati’s heavy metal band Latzen. The quartet has renewed itself and revitalized their proposal with ideas from the past, means of the present, and hopes for the future. The result is Denboraren orbainak’s third album: nurtured, mature, and diverse.
They have presented ten new songs, 27 years later. They serve to understand what was Latzen and everything, through the natural connection between the two. They have kept the same character, but with more experience in slowing down and speeding up. This is what Denboraren orbainak are like, ready to leave a trace.
The opening (Txori txarrak) and closing (Zilarrezko kaiola) tracks of the album showcase heavy moods, but they are not the only ones (Txarriboda). There are also slower pieces with a thrash influence (Memento mori, Dogma), songs aimed at a wider audience (Eutsi!, Heroi direnak, Arnasbideak), an instrumental section (Denboraren orbainak), and one of the most emotive songs created so far (Zauria).
The quality of the sound and production also deserves special mention. They recorded the album with Iker Bengo in the Silverstar studios in Gasteiz, elevating the songs to another level. Meanwhile, Nestor Urdanpilleta was responsible for brilliantly representing everything the album embodies.
Going back in time, to place in the present
The first short but successful era of those four young people is far behind. Between 1993 and 1999, they recorded the demo Heriotzari deika — which has reached 30 years — and released two albums: Kontzientzia ala infernua and Ardi larruz. They found their own way of playing Basque heavy/thrash metal. Although they achieved resonance thanks to a beautiful ballad, the strong repertoire of that time is even more valuable. When they decided to disband, the flow of creativity stopped, just as they were about to record new work.
The second era was even shorter for the four members as they got older. In 2007, they returned to give a concert tour at Hell’s gates, and in 2008 said goodbye for the second time. They performed fifteen concerts, one of which was filmed and included in the audiovisual work Hellmuga. Over the years, fans have kept that live performance very present, with one desire: to see the quartet on stage again.
They have started their third era this year, fulfilling that mentioned desire. After seventeen years, they performed at the Zorrotza youth center in Bilbao and at the last Hatortxu Rock festival in Lakuntza. For this, the quartet had to reunite. Yerko Ortiz (guitar) joined the original members Aitor Uriarte (vocals and guitar), Joxemari Azpitarte (bass), and Gorka Lazkano (drums) — replacing Iker Martinez de Zuazo.
From January onwards, they will present their new work “Denboraren orbainak” with a concert tour in various venues across the Basque Country and at major heavy metal festivals in Spain.
Inaxio Esnaola Aranzadi
