Rock en Español: Héroes del Silencio – Avalancha

Tracklist

1. “Derivas”
2. “¡Rueda, Fortuna!”
3. “Deshacer el Mundo”
4. “Iberia Sumergida”
5. “Avalancha” 
   
6. “En Brazos de la Fiebre”
7. “Parasiempre” 
   
8. “La Chispa Adecuada (Bendecida III)” 
   
9. “Días de Borrasca (Víspera de Resplandores)” 
   
10. “Morir Todavía”
11. “Opio”
12. “La Espuma de Venus”

About the album

Avalancha is the fourth and final studio album of Spanish rock band, Héroes del Silencio. Released in 1995, Avalancha is considered a turning point for the “Rock en Español” movement and is considered to be classic in this genre.

Thoughts on the album

Our European Spring break road trip continues, with a trip down to Zaragoza, Aragón, Spain. Today’s album is from Spanish rock band, Héroes del Silencio, and is their fourth and final album, Avalancha.

Before we begin, yes the entire album is in Spanish. It is of the genre “Rock en Español” or essentially, Spanish-language rock music. That said, Avalancha was produced by famed producer, Bob Ezrin. There is one thing to note about this album… the production. The production of Avalancha is excellent. In order to succeed in the Rock en Español genre, you are going to need excellent production. That’s what this album has.

Ezrin’s production of Avalancha allows the instruments and vocals to breathe and not be clustered and congested. For example, the urban voices and setting in the intro “Derivas“, the Harmonica in “Iberia Sumergida“, and the distorted vocals and chanting on some of the tracks (i.e. “Deshacer el Mundo“, “Parasiempre”, “Días de Borrasca”). These are just few examples of many of details you’re going to take in and enjoy throughout the album.

I can’t forget about the instrumentation now can I? Of course not. The instrumentation on Avalancha is crisp, sharp, and chock full of life. From the warming bass and drum sound on tracks like “Morir Todavia,” and “Opio” to the lively and cutting guitar on the rock-a-Billy like songs “Rueda Fortuna,” and “Parasiempre”. Of course, that not the only sound the album brings to the table, there are more quiet, alluring, and smoother acoustic songs like “En Brazos de la Fiebre,” “Opio,” and “La Chispa Adecuada”. The varied sound assures you that you will never get bored with the album.

The guitar riffs, are far from original… I’ll admit that. But they are diverse enough and well executed (with a ton of perfectly placed and executed distortion and effects). The bass lines have their own presence and take on a life on their own to make a solid backbone together with the drums, that have seemingly simple but enchanting placement in all the parts of the record.

Conclusion

Putting aside the fact that Spanish is not my primary language (English is), this is a damn good record.Almost everything about Avalancha is flawless. The excellent instrumentation, perfect use of effects and distortions, the perfect production, the lack of filler will amaze you. Definitely a must listen to.