Page 77 - ION Indie Magazine JanFeb 2018

Question: What do you get when you cross heavy metal riffs with the romantic sounds of mariachi? You get
Metalachi -- The World’s First and Only Heavy Metal Mariachi Band. The only thing more Mexican than tequila
is these 5 musicians from Juarez, Mexico, via Los Angeles, California. Metalachi consists of Vega de la Rockha, El
Cucuy, Queen Kyla Vera, Paco Halen, and Kiko Caine. Cumulatively, they offer up on a metal platter everyone’s
favorites -- from Black Sabbath's "War Pigs" to Ozzy Osbourne's "Crazy Train" – even throwing into the mix a
Journey medley, for good measure. Adding to this evening’s smorgasbord of sound, they additionally treated
everyone with a brand-new song in their raucous repertoire, Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” This is all served
with a Metalachi “twist” – which includes a theatrical stage show, influenced by Mexican wrestlers and your
Nana’s Novella’s (Mexican soap opera). Not exactly what you'd expect from a traditional mariachi band. And
make no mistake this IS a Mariachi band…that just happens to play hard rock and metal covers. This is done
without the use of electric guitars or drums (except there WAS that one the time when Dave Lombardo of
Slayer performed on stage with them). This innovative group employs the “regular suspects” that are in the
arsenal of any respectable Mariachi band…violin, trumpet, acoustic guitars, and vocals…but that’s where the
similarity gets thrown out the ventana.

First of all, I am not a virgin when it comes to Metalachi shows as a 5-time Metalachi concert-goer here. The
near sold-out 191 Toole venue, known for their many live music events, hosted a concert this night that turned
into a party and shifted into a full-blown fiesta. The audience enjoyed the music, had a heck of a lot of fun, and
no doubt, went home horny/happy.

The shoulder-to-shoulder crowd quickly got swept into the spirit when opening band Fuzz Evil began their set.
This was, however, a Metalachi crowd…and their fans exploded with appreciative screams, applause, shouts,
and the occasional “Ajuua!” the instant that the band stepped onto the stage.

First on stage was Warren Moscow, cowboy rock and roll band manager and the evening’s MC. Warren pulled

master of ceremonies duties all through the night, effortlessly rousing up the audience and on occasion jumping

in to lend a hand on various songs.

Vocalist Vega de la Rockha wore his Mariachi/spandex pants decorated with silver botonadura and a cholo

bandanna-style tank top. The setup behind his microphone stand proudly displayed a size 60 GGG bra waving

like a flag. As I am a professional journalist and thus, trained in the art of keen observation, I made a mental note
that this bra was much larger than the bras waving from the other mic stands.

The band heralded their arrival to the
stage with a display of musical Pictured: Warren Moscow
contradiction, opening with the
traditional Mexican song “Guadalajara” with Vega de la Rockha
which showcased the excellent side of
their musicianship, but this segued into
Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train.”

The song was played with energy and
fire, filled with a dynamic fiddle solo
from the beautiful Queen Kyla Vera. You
could sense a little Randy Rhoads-
inspired solo shining through her
performance.