Finisterra, named after a region in Spain where the land ends and the mighty Pacific begins, is probably one of the longer albums in my collection. Spanning two discs and twenty songs, ranging in influences from Mago De Oz’s unique take on classic rock, speed metal, and hints of Iberian folk as well as Celtic folk are present on the expansive album known as Finisterra. With all of the songs one would logically expect the album to sag at points, and while there is the occasional questionable hard rock song like El senor de los Gramillos the album stays afloat for its entirety. For the Spanish speaking metalhead the album is rich with tales from Spain about knights and what not, and for everyone else the music speaks for itself in all of its poppy and ridiculously catchy charm.

Twenty songs includes everything from the opening faster-paced riffing in La Cruz De Santiago, and with the flute playing prior to the solo you’d figure you’d be listening to Jethro Tull. Luckily, the solo reminds you are listening to a folky take on power metal, and yes the folk influences are quite prominent in tracks such as the bouncy Hasta que el cuerpo aguante to the entirely medieval Fiesta pagana. Instrumental tracks as well such as Duerme and Tres tristes tigres also divvy up a massively varied album such as this, though I’m of the persuasion that Astaroth lacks the rocking moments they attempt to convey. The flute again resurfaces in La dama de Amanecer though unfortunately the track features some rather drab riffing, and while the vocalist is quite talented he falls short of memorable in that song.

Es horta de morchar along with the various other instrumentals on the album, happen to be the reason why I adore the album so much. The riffing as present in La Cruz De Santiago and the opening speed-metal esque riffing also count as being a refresher, and the vocals (while the fellow very seldom ventures into the falsetto territory) are fine as well. Another powerful riff occurs in El Que quiera entender que entienda and briefly lifts the tempo, as the vocalist croons in among a slightly too cheesy chorus. The folk aspects will spellbind your ears as the riffs take you to a bygone era of jousting and drinking ale until you pass out, but the album itself is one of Mago De Oz’s finest hours and should be heard by fans of of all power metal niches.