Stravaganzza

Stravaganzza is a Spanish gothic metal band from Madrid. It emerged in the middle of 2004 and in its beginnings it was made up of Pepe Herrero, Patricio Babasasa, Carlos Expósito, Fernando Martín, Rodrigo Calderón, Aroa Martín, Natalia Barrios (body painting), Noemí Pasca (dancer) and the ex-vocalist of Saratoga, Leo Jimenez. Their style of music could be classified as heavy metal with a gothic, progressive, and symphonic cut, with influences from 90s extreme metal.

History

In 2004 they debuted with Primer acto, their first album. This one offers cuts like Dios or Oveja negra that are already fixed in the group's live presentations. In 2005 they confirmed themselves as a revolution group with Sentimientos, a thematic album that revolves around the different sensations that human beings experience in their lives. These two albums were recorded by the first formation: Edu Fernández, Dani Pérez, Leo Jiménez and Pepe Herrero.

In 2005 Dani Pérez started what would be his new project with the band Skizoo (which Edu Fernández would also join a year later) and, over time, he left Saratoga, his other band, due to his idea of wanting to fully dedicate himself to Skizoo and Stravaganzza.

On March 11, 2006, the news was released that Dani and Edu, due to both time and record problems, could not combine their activity between both bands and decided to leave Stravaganzza. This was announced through a brief statement that was published on the group's official website:

"We regret to inform you that, for reasons beyond the control of the band, Dani Pérez and Edu Fernández have to leave Stravaganzza. You will have more news from us shortly."

As a result of that announcement, rumors began to spread about the group's separation, since Dani Pérez had been one of the emblems of the group due to his quality on drums. However, both Leo and Pepe reacted quickly and on March 31 they announced the incorporation of two new members: Carlos Expósito, drummer recommended by the sadly deceased Big Simon, and Patricio Babasasa as bassist. On the other hand, Rodrigo Calderón -violin- and Fernando Martín -keyboards-, who had accompanied the group during their live performances, become active members.

In mid-May, to demonstrate that this situation was not a "patch" but something stable, they publish their third studio album: Hijo del miedo. It is an EP that includes songs from his first two albums remixed, for example "Pasión" (orchestral version) and "God" (re-recorded by the new formation), in addition to the hit song "Hijo de la luna" (from Mecano) metal version. In 2006 they filmed a spot for the clothing and footwear company New Rock with the theme "Soledad". In July 2006, rumors began to emerge that Leo Jiménez would leave Saratoga in October to fully dedicate himself to Stravaganzza and be able to go on tour. For 2007 the third studio album of the band entitled "Third Act" is planned. In November 2006, Leo Jiménez's departure from Saratoga was confirmed to dedicate himself fully to Stravaganzza.

On May 24, 2007, his new album came out, the third act called "Réquiem". In the topic "Man" collaborates Molly, singer of the group Hamlet. Another stunning cover from the 80s, "Eloise" made famous by the brilliant Tino Casal, and a turn to more extreme sounds, without forgetting the forceful metal and its most gothic registers.

On December 5, 2007, Stravaganzza would record what would be his first live show at the Heineken room. A live show full of collaborations, where the entire third act was performed and at the end of this album songs chosen by the fans. It was revealed that due to little interest from the record company this live was never released.

In December 2009 they announced on their official website that they are in the studio recording a new album with their new label DFX Discos Especiales, which will be the Fourth Act called "Raíces", which was finally published on April 27, 2010 after several problems with said company, causing the original Raíces album to have a tiny and unknown number of copies. It wasn't until years later that the members of Stravaganzza were able to reissue it and release it again together with the record company that released the others, Avispa Music.

At the end of September 2010 they announced an indefinite hiatus due to technical and infrastructure problems, assuring that sooner or later they will return.

After Stravaganzza's break, Leo Jiménez focused on a new band called 037 (later renamed Zero3iete after his departure) to later focus on a solo career, counting on drums with Carlos Expósito, and Pepe Herrero has continued with his musical composer career and collaborating with the singer Mónica Naranjo.

On December 30, 2016, various members of the group announced on their Facebook pages a possible return of Stravaganzza.

On January 12, 2017, the band's return was announced on the band's official Facebook page. On September 23, 2017 they did their first concert in Madrid after returning.

On September 29, 2019 they recorded their first album live at Sala La Riviera in Madrid called La Noche del Fénix.

Members

• Leo Jiménez "The Beast": Voice and Guitar (2003-2010, 2017-presente)
• Pepe Herrero: Guitar, orchestration (2003-2010, 2017-present)
• Patricio Babasasa: Low (2006-2010, 2017-present)
• Carlos Expósito: Battery (2006-2010, 2017-present)

Previous members

• Dani Pérez: Battery (2003-2006)
• Edu Fernández: Bajo (2003-2006)
• Fernando Martín: Keyboards (live, 2007-2010)
• Rodrigo Calderón: Violín (2007-2010)
• Aroa Martín: Coros (2007-2010)

Timeline

Discography

• First Act (2004)
• Sentencing (Second Act) (2005)
• Son of Fear (EP) (2006)
• Requiem (Third Act) (2007)
• (Fourth Act) (2010)
• The Best Of... (Recollective) (2010)
• The Night of the Phoenix (Live) (2020)