A Spanish power/progressive metal outfit built around the seasoned talents of guitarist Tony Hernando (Saratoga), bassist Victor Durán, drummer Andy C., and Chilean-born vocalist Ronnie Romero, the latter of whom fronted Rainbow during their 2016 reunion shows, Lords of Black specialize in highly melodic yet always hard-hitting classic rock-fueled prog-metal. Invoking names like Masterplan, Symphony X, and Kamelot, the band issued their eponymous debut LP, which was co-produced, mixed, and mastered by Roland Grapow (Helloween, Masterplan), in 2014, followed by a heavy bout of touring that eventually landed them in the offices of Frontiers Records. After inking a deal with the Italian label, they returned to the studio to begin work on their sophomore release. The resulting II, co-produced once again by Grapow, dropped in early 2016. Two years later the band released its third long-player, Icons of the New Days. ~ James Christopher Monger