Barón Rojo

Biography

Barón Rojo (Spanish pronunciation: [baˈɾon ˈroxo]) is a Spanish heavy metal band from Madrid that achieved international success in the 1980s. The band is led by siblings Carlos and Armando de Castro, previously from the band Coz, and is considered one of the most important representatives of Spanish hard rock. Barón Rojo in Spanish means "red baron", the name of the band being an homage to Manfred von Richthofen; the 1981 eponymous song "Barón Rojo" is about him. In 2017, they were ranked number 18 on Rolling Stone's "50 Greatest Spanish Rock Bands".

Early years, first album: 1980–81

The original lineup of Barón Rojo consisted of brothers Armando and Carlos De Castro, both guitarists, who had just left the hard rock band Coz. José Luis Campuzano, nicknamed "Sherpa", who came from the prog rock band Módulos, joined them as bassist and vocalist. They eventually added Uruguayan drummer Hermes Calabria, who after touring Spain with his prog rock band Psiglo decided to stay in the country. Songwriting duties were divided between the de Castro brothers and "Sherpa" and his wife Carolina Cortés (who wrote the lyrics for his songs). This lineup remained stable until 1989.
Barón Rojo released their debut album, Larga Vida al Rock and Roll×Larga vida al rock and roll1981 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 9 tracksA1Con botas sucias4:14A2Anda suelto Satanás3:37A3El pobre3:37A4Los desertores del rock4:18A5Efluvios2:04B1Larga vida al rock and roll4:06B2El presidente3:58B3Chica de la ciudad4:01B4Barón rojo5:40, in 1981, with the first single being "Con Botas Sucias". The record achieved moderate success, earning them coverage from the media after winning Gold certification. It also strongly influenced the Spanish rock band Héroes del Silencio.
Around that time, Danish singer Mike Tramp, by then living in Madrid, opened for them at a number of shows. One of those times, Barón Rojo encouraged him to switch to playing hard rock instead of pop. Tramp followed their advice, which would eventually lead to the creation of his band White Lion in 1983.
In addition, Larga Vida al Rock and Roll caught the attention of the Australian hard rock band AC/DC, who invited Barón Rojo to accompany them on their 1981–1982 U.S. tour. The Spaniards turned down this offer, because they considered the travel costs too high, a decision they would later regret, as they never managed to enter the U.S. market.

Two albums, global success: 1982–83

Barón Rojo moved to London for the recording of their second album, Volumen Brutal×Volumen brutal22 February 1982 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracksA1Incomunicación3:40A2Los rockeros van al infierno4:18A3Dame la oportunidad3:35A4Son como hormigas4:07A5Las flores del mal4:53B1Resistiré5:04B2Satánico plan (volumen brutal)4:13B3Concierto para ellos4:42B4Hermano del rock & roll3:24B5El barón vuela sobre Inglaterra2:45 (1982), at Kingsway Studios, owned by Deep Purple frontman Ian Gillan. This album was released in two versions: one with the lyrics in Spanish and another sung in English. Bruce Dickinson from Iron Maiden is credited for helping them with the translation.
Volumen Brutal led the band to international success, especially in the UK, where they were featured on the cover of the music magazine Kerrang!, and it influenced numerous future metal musicians, such as Michael Amott (Carcass, Arch Enemy), who has stated that Barón Rojo is one of his favourite bands; Mille Petrozza (Kreator) and John Gallagher (Raven), who became fans watching Barón Rojo on tour; or Ronnie Romero (Rainbow, Elegant Weapons), who has stated that Volumen Brutal is the first album he ever bought. The record sold two million copies worldwide. It is considered one of the very best metal albums ever released in Spain, and one of the band's best releases.
On 27 August 1982, Barón Rojo played at the Reading music festival, along with Iron Maiden, Twisted Sister, and Marillion.
In 1983, Metalmorfosis, their third studio album, also recorded in London, was released and contained, among many other tracks, the well-known ballad "Siempre estás allí". Together with Volumen Brutal, it is considered one of their best albums.

Fourth album, live releases, international tours: 1984–86

In 1985, Barón Rojo released their fourth studio album, En un lugar de la marcha×En un lugar de la marcha1985 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 8 tracksA1Breakthoven5:27A2El baile de los malditos4:23A3Chicos del rock5:22A4Caso perdido5:45B1Cuerdas de acero4:45B2No ver, no hablar, no oír5:44B3Tras de ti4:46B4Hijos de Caín5:59, which included the popular song "Hijos de Caín", as well as two live albums, titled Barón al Rojo Vivo×Barón al Rojo Vivo26 March 1984 · Album · LiveSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 17 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11Barón Rojo6:002Incomunicación5:163Campo de concentración5:114El mundo puede ser diferente4:195Las flores del mal4:516Concierto para ellos5:027Mensajeros de la destrucción5:248Atacó el hombre blanco4:42Disc 21Tierra de Vándalos3:442Solo de Guitarra4:573Muchísimo Amor0:184Czardas1:515Los Rockeros Van al Infierno9:206Buenos Aires2:527Solo de Batería5:278Resistiré5:179Con Botas Sucias7:40 (1984)—produced by Chris Tsangarides—and Siempre Estás Allí (1986). Their international tours continued through Europe and Latin America; in 1984–1985, they had Metallica, at the time a relatively young band, open for them at a number of shows. As of 2018, the American band still played live cover versions of Barón Rojo songs.

Changing style, band tensions, fluctuating lineup: 1987–89

From then on, the band began experimenting with new musical elements, including orchestral compositions, as can be heard on their 1987 album, Tierra de Nadie×Tierra de nadie1987 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 8 tracksA1Pico de oro5:15A2El pedal5:25A3La voz de su amo4:41A4Tierra de nadie6:26B1Señor inspector4:01B2Sombras en la noche5:58B3Pobre Madrid5:07B4El precio del futuro7:43, which includes their well-known song "Tierra de nadie". This album, the band's fifth, rounded out what are considered to be Barón Rojo's best releases. Meanwhile, the mood between band members, described by them as "pure hatred", kept on getting worse.
By the end of 1989, after they released their albums No va más and Obstinato×Obstinato1989 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracksA1Vampiros y banqueros5:27A2Por vez primera4:55A3Get On Your Knees3:51A4Tren fantasma5:01A5Colapso en la M-305:11B1Paraíso terrenal3:54B2Dueño de mi destino4:27B3Herencia letal7:11B4Seguimos vivos4:37B5Pura sangre4:45, bassist/singer/composer José Luis Campuzano ("Sherpa") and drummer Hermes Calabria exited the band, leaving the De Castro brothers with an ever-changing lineup, with a turnover ranging from one to several years.

Further releases, legal disputes: 1992–2008

The album Desafío×Desafío1992 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1Te espero en el infierno5:522Alí-Babá y los cuarenta4:523Exorcismo4:294Noches de Rock 'n' Roll5:505El enemigo a abatir4:296Rock'stimulación4:417Político6:158Señor censor5:059Hijos del blues (Generación perdida)7:1010Girls Got Rhythm3:30, released in 1992 and recorded in Madrid, was produced by guitarist Carlos de Castro, with Niko del Hierro on bass, José Antonio del Nogal on drums, and the de Castro brothers sharing vocal duties. The new bassist and drummer would not last long in the band, and these new lineups without all the original members would receive mixed reviews, beginning with Desafío.
After two compilation albums, the studio album Arma Secreta×Arma secreta1997 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Bajo tierra4:102Arma secreta4:413Todo me da igual4:014No hay solución sin rock & roll4:465Aquí estoy4:296No odas2:317Fugitivo4:508Blues del teléfono4:169Comunicación4:0410Sobre este mundo hostil4:3411Robinsong3:4412Hielo al rojo3:21 (1997), and legal disputes with their label (Zafiro) about royalties, BMG released a double compilation album called Cueste lo que cueste×Cueste lo que cueste1999 · Album · CompilationSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 31 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11Cueste lo que cueste4:592El trepa5:153Con botas sucias4:094Satánico plan4:105Señor Inspector4:016Cuerdas de acero4:467Invulnerable5:378Chicos del rock5:219Chica de la ciudad3:5910Los rockeros van al infierno4:1711Siempre estás allí6:2912Vampiros y banqueros5:2813Breakthoven5:2614Rockero indomable3:5915Barón rojo5:40Disc 21Cielo o infierno5:582Más de ti4:503Casi me mato3:414Larga vida al rock and roll4:015Campo de concentración5:106Celtas cortos5:237El malo5:238La voz de su amo4:399El pobre3:3310Incomunicación3:4011Buenos Aires3:0412Conciertos para ellos4:4113Pura sangre4:4514Caso perdido5:4315Tierra de vándalos3:3916Resistiré (nueva versión)5:17, which included 31 hits by the band plus four new songs.
2001 saw the release of the album 20+, an allusion to more than twenty years of existence. In 2002, Barón Rojo were honored with a tribute album, Larga Vida al... Volumen Brutal, by such Spanish and Latin American bands as Rata Blanca, Mägo de Oz, Tierra Santa, and Los Suaves. In 2003, they issued the covers album Perversiones×Perversiones9 June 2003 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 16 tracks1Spotlight Kid4:512Why Dontcha3:233Loneliness6:284Turn It Up3:345Assault Attack4:186Spanish Castle Magic3:557Shake My Tree4:598Good Lovin' Gone Bad3:449Neon Knights3:5810Hoochie Coochie Man6:1111Plynth (Water Down the Drain)3:5912Crossroads4:1813Pictures of Home4:3414Move Over4:4915What's Next to the Moon3:5516Father of Night8:37, featuring renditions of songs by artists including Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and AC/DC.
Drummer Vale Rodríguez left the band in 2005 and was replaced by a returning José Martos.
In 2006, Barón Rojo released Ultimasmentes, an album sung entirely by Carlos de Castro. That same year, the band was honored with another tribute album, this time exclusively of Argentine bands, titled El Barón vuela sobre Argentina.
Ángel Arias and José Martos left Barón Rojo in 2007, just after the live CD and DVD Desde Barón a Bilbao was released, and Tony Ferrer departed in September 2008. He was replaced by former Ñu bassist Gorka Alegre.

Reunions, final album, documentary film, touring: 2009–present

Barón Rojo held a reunion concert on 20 June 2009 at the Metalway music festival in Zaragoza in their original formation, including José Luís "Sherpa" Campuzano on vocals. That same year, they released the live album En Clave de Rock×En clave de rock2009 · Album · LiveSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 53 tracks · 3 discsDisc 11Little house music6:082Barón rojo6:153Los desertores del rock4:204Larga vida al rock & roll3:205Hombre de las cavernas4:106Incomunicación7:467Invulnerable5:458Te espero en el infierno5:009Las flores del mal5:5110Volumen brutal6:3511Cueste lo que cueste8:0312El malo5:1413Caso perdido5:4914La voz de su amo4:44Disc 21Concierto para ellos6:062Cuerdas de acero6:393Con botas sucias8:434Los rockeros van al infierno12:375Hiroshima6:106Se escapa el tiempo4:437Intro 5ª sinfonía2:288Breakthoven5:399Hijos de Caín7:3910Resistiré5:3911Siempre estás allí10:1212Czardas2:25Disc 31Intro Little House Music (Orquesta Del C.I.M / Marc Van Delft)6:072Barón Rojo6:143Los desertores del rock4:194Larga vida al rock’n’roll3:195Hombre de las cavernas4:106Incomunicación7:467Invulnerable5:458Te espero en el infierno4:599Las flores del mal5:5010Volumen brutal6:3511Cueste lo que cueste8:0312El malo5:1413Caso perdido5:4914La voz de su amo4:4115Concierto para ellos6:0516Cuerdas de acero6:3817Con botas sucias8:4318Los rockeros van al infierno12:0619Hiroshima6:0920Se escapa el tiempo4:4221Intro 5ª sinfonía (Orquesta del C.I.M.)2:2722Breakthoven5:3923Hijos de Caín7:3824What's Next to the Moon5:5625Resistiré5:3826Siempre estás allí10:1227Czardas2:23. After this concert, they reunited again for a tour, starting and finishing in Madrid, with the first show being held at "La Riviera" on 30 January 2010 and the last at the former bullring Palacio de Vistalegre on 22 October 2011, where they announced the filming of a Barón Rojo documentary. The film was released in 2012. The same year, they also released their latest studio album, titled Tommy Barón×Tommy Barón11 December 2012 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 24 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11Obertura5:242Un varón0:42319213:314Viaje asombroso3:255Ráfagas3:476Un ciego verá2:117Navidad4:098El primo Kevin5:039La Reina Ácida3:3310Undertura7:43Disc 21¿Y tú crees que está bien?0:502Al enredar1:253El rey del pinball3:214Encontré un doctor0:205Hacia el espejo4:076Tommy ¿puedes oírme?1:277Romper el espejo1:438Sensación3:029¡Vaya milagro!0:2110Sally Simpson4:4511Libre soy2:4512Ven a esta casa5:1513El parque de Tommy1:0214No lo aceptaremos7:05, a cover album of Tommy featuring Spanish musician Eva Amaral. In 2020, on their 40th anniversary, Barón Rojo decided to finally disband. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, their final tour was postponed and as such, their farewell concert rescheduled to December 2021. It featured guest appearances by artists such as Graham Bonnet, Mel Collins, Jørn Lande, and Aurora Beltrán (replacing Doro Pesch, who was unable to travel due to pandemic restrictions).
Despite having announced that this would be their last show, claiming that their farewell tour had been shorter than they would have liked because of the pandemic and appealing to the proximity of the 45th anniversary of their founding in 1980, Barón Rojo played further live shows in 2023, toured Latin America in 2024, and they have continued to put on shows occasionally in 2025. This decision was criticized by the media, especially due to Carlos de Castro's poor vocal performance.

Band members

Current

Carlos de Castro – vocals, guitar (1980–present)
Armando de Castro – guitar, vocals (1980–present)
Rafa Díaz – drums (2007–present)
José Luis Morán – bass (2020–present)
Past

José Luís "Sherpa" Campuzano – bass, vocals (1980–1989, 2009–2011)
Hermes Calabria – drums (1980–1989, 2009–2011)
Máximo González – vocals (1991)
Pepe Bao – bass (1990–1991)
José Antonio del Nogal ("Kamakhan") – drums (1991–1995)
Niko del Hierro – bass (1991–1992)
José Luis Aragón – bass (1993–1995)
Valeriano Rodríguez – drums (1998–2005)
José Martos – drums (1996–1998, 2005-2007)
Angel Arias – bass (1995–2007, 2016–2017)
Tony Ferrer – bass (2007–2008)
Gorka Alegre – bass (2008–2015)
Óscar Cuenca – bass (2015–2016)
Javier Rodríguez – bass (2017–2020)