Nemesis

The Spanish heavy metal giants from Vallecas, Madrid, have been around in name since 1995, but the band has undergone numerous personal changes, with bassist Niko del Hierro remaining the only constant. Nemesis is their first album of original material in three years, and the third with their latest incarnation, featuring vocalist Tete Novoa and guitarist Tony Hernando. Hernando, whose guitar pyrotechnics are arguably the star of the album, also co-produced Nemesis with del Hierro. Saratoga sound as compact and powerful as ever -- sometimes even bordering on trash metal -- as they go about their thundering business, stopping only for a couple of their trademark ballads. ~ Mariano Prunes