Year : 2010 (Z Rock Records Edition 2015)
Style : Melodic Hard Rock
Country : Argentina
Audio : 320 kbps + scans + Video
Size : 148 mb
Bio:
Watchmen formed back in April 2003 in the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina. After playing with different local bands, Ivan Sención, decided to put up a band according to his music tastes and preferences.The band’s members were : Rodrigo Gudiña and Emmanuel López (guitars), Germain Leth (bass) and Eduardo Giardina (drums).Together with the hosted keyboardist Guillermo De Medio, Watchmen entered the Doble B studios to record a promo demo for press and to have themselves known to the udience ; it was edited in May 2003 and featured the tracks “On The Road” and “Livin’ The Heartache”.Thanks to the demo, they started gaining some popularity not only in Argentina but also in the rest of the world. In that very same month, the band reached the first position in the list of popular bands in the on-line Chicago radio “Hardrocking 80’s”.At the end of 2003, Charlie Giardina joined the band to play keyboards while Rodrigo Gudiña decided to leave to take care of his band Adriana Project. With the following line-up (Ivan Sención vocals, Emmanuel López guitar and background vocals, Germain Leth bass and background vocals, Eduardo Giardina drums and background vocals and Charlie Giardina keyboards), Watchmen started composing the songs that would have been part of their debut album and started rehearsing to be ready to perform live.On the 14th of May 2004, they performed in the “Acatraz” club in Buenos Aires and in October of that year they started recording their debut album. However, Giardina left the band and drummer “Dukke” Del Duca (ex Kefren) joined in ; the band was later invited by Dave Jones (owner of the Cavern Club in Liverpool) to perform in the UK in some festival and, in there, the keyboardist Leonard Palmieri joined in (he was part of the band of Adrian Barilari, singer of the well known band Rata Blanca).2005 was a very important year for Watchmen : they both finished recording their debut album and flew to the UK to perform in 6 shows in the Cavern Club and even in the well known Ruskin Arms (where Iron Maiden first led out).Once they came back from Europe, the 15th of June 2005, they shared the stage as a supporting band for Richie Kotzen’s “Get Up Again Tour 2005” in Argentina. On November the 20th 2005 they supported a show held by Jeff Scott Soto for his “Lost In Translation – Latin American Tour”.During the first days of December 2005, the band filmed their first videoclip with the song “Time Is Over”. In June 2006 their very first album was released under the Blackstar label. In March 2007 Sergio “Dukke” Del Duca left the band and the former drummer Giardina temporarily joined it again.In May 2007 the drummer Alan Fritzler joined the band to stay and in August they performwd in San Paolo (Brazil) hosted by Ted Poley (Danger Danger) in the “Manifesto Bar” club ; the band gained a lot of good comments and critics from the press (Rock Brigade Magazine, Roadie Crew Magazine, Whiplash Webzine to name some). Thanks to these successful shows, the band came back to Brazil to play live with Gibly Clarke (ex GNR) and in March 2008 they started with the pre-production of their second album. In May, the band had its first performance in Santiago del Chile together with the local artist Nasson and on June the 6th they supported Eric Martin (ex. Mr Big).On September the 6th they played for the first time in the city of Montevideo, Uruguay, and on October the 15th Watchmen took part in the “Pepsi Music 2008” festival during the first Stone Temple Pilots Argentinian tour.In November, Germain Leth left the band and in 2009, despite not having their former bassist, they started a good number of gigs with a temporarily line-up including : Ivan Sencion, Emmanuel López, Leonardo Palmieri, Alan Fritzler (new bassist) and Eduardo Giardina (temporarily hosted by the band).In March the band started recording “Nowhere To Hide” while looking for a new bassist to join them. After some months of researches, the new member Sebastián Igino joined in and started rehearsing to get ready for their shows.On October the 27th their debut album was released in the UK and in the EU (Z Records) gaining great success through the critics (The May Fair Mall Zine, Rockrealms, Phoenix Radio, 7 Waves 92.1 FM, AOR Heaven, Strutter, etc.).In January 2010 they debuted live with the following line-up : Ivan Sencion, Emmanuel López,Leonardo Palmieri, Alan Fritzler and Sebastián Igino.In February, Watchmen, were recruited to record the theme song of the 2010 season of the program “Tiempos Violentos” in the prestigious FM Rock & Pop, presented by Gustavo Olmedo and Hugo García. At the moment the band is taking care of the last details of their “Nowhere To Hide” and its promotion in Argentina and in the rest of the world.
Album:
British label Z Rock Records has reissued band's second effort "Nowhere To Hide".Watchmen hails from Argentina, South America, and despite of not being the most fertile land for this brand of melodious Hard Rock, I assure you these guys rock on par with the best.Watchmen style has been described as a mix of Whitesnake, Badlands and Burning Rain, and although most the songs on offer here don't sound as bluesy as the material from these bands, I can easily understand where the comparisons come from: lead vocalist Ivan Sencion.He's in possession of a strong voice not that far away from Ray Gillen, Keith St. John and / or David Coverdale, but the guy adds his own touch and despite his native language is Spanish, there's not accent at sight.Apart from the great singer, Watchmen are a combo of superb musicians; love the rhythm section, the very well placed keyboards and special mention has to go to guitarist Emmanuel Lopez, a guy who can play some serious licks.On "Nowhere To Hide", Watchmen have evolved to a much more Melodic Hard Rock style, still retaining the sharp riffs but aiming for catchiness than the hard rock groove from the first album.There's a Mr. Big feel on many songs, also akin Spanish greats Guru.It's a varied record opening with 'The Gathering' and its Eastern melodies, followed by "One", a guitar driver hard rocker much like in the band's debut album.Title track 'Nowhere To Hide' is one of the highlights, a bright melodic rock tune with a mid-tempo pace especially designed for Ivan Sencion's vocals to shine. Is this guy the love child of David Coverdale?If you need some pulsating AOR, Watchmen deliver in "Lonely Rider" another highlight, or if you prefer, the strong and at the same time emotive ballad "I'll Be Allright".As said it's a varied album, and they provide balance with great rockers like "Adrenaline" (title says all), the intense & melodious "Dreamworld", the kicking "Solstice In Black" or "Holy Ground" and its mysterious keyboards.More variation arrives with album closer "In The End", a dreamy little acoustic number which sounds like an end titles movie soundtrack, really inspired.There's a couple of extra songs listed as bonus tracks: a cover of the bombastic '80s cult classic "Far From Over", made famous by Frank Stallone for the '83 Stayin' Alive movie. I really like Watchmen's take on this one, showing their versatility.The other song is sung in Spanish, "Tiempos Violentos" (Raging Times) composed for the Radio Rock show of the same name. It's a galloping hard rocker with stong guitars and blasting rhythm section.With "Nowhere To Hide" Watchmen confirm their talent to compose some awesome Melodic Hard Rock songs, rich in melodies, terrific vocal parts and kick ass instrumentation.This second album is more varied than the first,blending its potent hard rock grooves with superb melodic hard / AOR melodies influenced by classic acts of the genre from both sides of the Atlantic ocean.There's no boundaries in music: these guys may come from the most southernmost country of the planet, but they sound as good as the best exponents from the genre.Seriously, Watchmen are excellent, you need to check these guys immediately.
Line-Up:
Ivan Sencion - lead vocals
Emmanuel Lopez - guitars
Sebastian Igino - bass, backing vocals
Leonardo Palmieri - keyboards
Alan Fritzier - drums, backing vocals
Tracklist:
01. The Gathering
02. One
03. Nowhere To Hide
04. Adrenaline
05. Lonely Rider
06. Holy Ground
07. I'll Be Allright
08. Dreamworld
09. Solstice In Black
10. In The End
11. Far From Over (Bonus Track)
12. Tiempos Violentos (Bonus Track)
+ Video "Nowhere To Hide" (Official Video)
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