Rata Blanca´s leading force finally makes a solo album.Walter Giardino has been recognized trough the years in Rata as the great guitarist he is, but nobody expected him to make an album such diverse as it is.It begins with "Corte porteño" a catchy song with an extraordinaire solo (a Tango:"Canaro en París) and some strong double bass drum.Then "Sobre la Raya" a pretty rock&roll, early Rata´s stuff.This sounds almost like an old hard rock band from the seventies, with blues riffs included.The third track is" Los Amigos del Campeón" is such another hard rock song with interesting lyrics (I think it´s based in Maradona´s friends)well you gotta know spanish to tell.Next one a ballad "Astrólogo" once more, seventies ambiance, killer blues´ stuff.The fifth song (one of my favourites) "Héroe de la eternidad" a headbanging masterpiece, it seems to be created to listen while driving a Harley Davidson.Solid guitar and simple but effective drums, pasted with a "hell´s angel" solo."Azul y negro",the next one, is another ballad that shows, how Giardino has evolved from blues to neoclasic to heavy to become a mature musician.Then "Caceria" a heavy metal one(fantastic solo).After that "La Danza del fuego"
(The Fire Dance) an instrumental by the Argentinian heavy metal all star team, leaded by Giardino including 1former members from bands such as Hermetica, Malon and Animal(How could such drumer be in that band).
If after hearing this you don´t want to play an instrument you´re just nuts.Then "El club de las almas perdidas" being this one a hard rock ballad reminding the audience, once more, the Hard Rock background of the composer.
To finish "Alquimia", a nice ending for such an album, representing this song everything what a heavy metal musician feels when "ensambling" a song.(It sound just like a Rata Blanca´s "Magos espadas y rosas" lost track)
Score: 8/10

Review by Jerec