Release date: June, 2025

The Mexican band makes its debut with this EP, Goldea, steeped in the aesthetics of 1980s heavy metal. Their proposal strongly resonates with classic Spanish-speaking bands like Saratoga, Barón Rojo, Obús or Ángeles del Infierno, delivering a sonic force that draws from speed, thrash and rock and roll. The group opts for a raw and direct performance, recorded the old-school way, in eight tracks that come together into a final assembly that’s hard to ignore.

Review

Entrega tu vida: with a voice from beyond the grave announcing that the gates of heavy metal have opened (oh yes!), we hear a direct opening with a riff driven deep into the bones and a lyrical phrasing that appears without delay. The bass locks in with the guitar rhythm but its lines are clearly audible, creating a heavy sound that merges perfectly with the six strings. The rhythmic attack moves between fast and chopped figures. Heber Tolosa’s voice, who also handles rhythm guitar, leans into high tones with an impeccable use of falsetto. Not too much nuance, but pleasant and expansive, in powerful contrast to the raw structure the band proposes. The guitar solos are clean, with a twin guitar interlude.

El maestro del Gas: without unnecessary adornments, the song kicks off with fast drumming, standing out for its tuning and its hard, reverberated tones that strongly recall 80s American thrash. Even the rhythmic patterns include fast and chromatic turns, very much in the speed and rock and roll style. The guitar solo sounds thin, but we must not forget that the musical proposal is as live and unfiltered as possible, and rather than seeing it as a flaw, it should be understood as part of the sound Rickk Rigger is working with.

Frente al Rey: opening with sharp rhythmic breaks and a slightly syncopated drum beat, here we hear a song with fast developments and a traditional heavy metal style, avoiding monotony while delivering changes and harmonies that take good advantage of the two guitars. The bass is a key element in the composition. It’s not as galloping or flashy as Iron Maiden, but it does have body and presence, like the classics Riot or Grim Reaper. The result is a raw sound with exquisite breakage. It sounds fresh, alive, organic.

Por el Rock: with clean guitars and strumming, the lyrical phrasing opens the first measures before giving way to a song built in a rock and roll fashion. The tempo is mid-paced, and while the vocal lines convey power and conviction, the bass feels rigid, lacking the brightness and boldness shown in earlier songs. The drumming is not outstanding but effective, although it suffers due to the bass that fails to shine or deliver good fills. The final quarter of the song returns to a heavier sound with a crushing rhythm, which unfortunately drowns out the solo guitars, which are barely audible. It’s a track with a good structure that could benefit from a re-recording and remix.

Conclusion

Goldea is a debut filled with identity, courage and a clear desire to reclaim the essence of Iberoamerican heavy metal. Rickk Rigger does not aim to sound modern or perfect but authentic. A band that records under austere conditions, with a live, direct sound and without unnecessary polish. Despite some mixing flaws and moments where certain instruments lose presence, the result is a solid calling card, full of energy, conviction and respect for the genre’s legacy. A promising first step for a band that, if it manages to refine its proposal without losing its rawness, could carve out a strong position in the scene.

TheNwothm Score: 7.5/10

Links

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/rickrigger/

Label: Un Mapache Vomitó Fuera de la iglesia