Origin: Berkeley, California, USA  
Genres:
DISBANDED
YouTube
Page online: July 4, 2010
Last update/review: April 25, 2023

Flametal

Here we have something pretty unique. The style of this band (mostly a solo project for guitarist Ben Woods) was a blending of flamenco and metal (hence the name Flametal), and while it's not new for bands to incorporate non-metal influences, flamenco metal is a true rarity. The band eventually released four albums as of this writing, with the album reviewed here being the debut, The Elder. The majority of songs on display are instrumental and really highlight the flamenco side of the band (Woods is quite accomplished as a flamenco guitarist), though on the other end of the spectrum is "Red Cobblestones", a straight doom song that seems a bit out of place here. Overall, opinions on this band are quite divided. Some think the band is a bit on the gimmicky side, others believe the integration of flamenco and metal isn't what it could or should be, and some just aren't down with the band at all, while others find the style original and fresh. To these ears, they are quite original, and the only gimmicky element is the band name itself. The album isn't perfect (for one, the production is a bit thin), but it's a pretty interesting listen. Certainly a band that the more adventurous metal fan could give a spin. Woods sadly passed away from cancer in September 2022, with a posthumous recording, Redux, released in 2023.

Last Lineup

Ben Woods

guitars RIP: September 28, 2022, cancer, age 46

Former Members/Guests

Brian Spalding

guitars

Glen Drover (guest)

guitars (ex-Eidolon, ex-King Diamond, ex-Megadeth, Withering Scorn)

Marc Rizzo (guest)

guitars (ex-Cavalera, Ill Niño, ex-Soulfly)

Uriah Duffy

bass (ex-Whitesnake)

Angeline Saris

bass

Thomas Perry

drums

Sean Reinert (guest)

drums (ex-Aghora, ex-Cynic, ex-Death, ex-Gordian Knot) RIP: January 24, 2020, age 48

Mike Benett (guest)

drums



Discography


The Elder  
2005
  1. The Elder
  2. Silencio, escobilla
  3. Red Cobblestone
  4. Bruja tortura
  5. P'alla al inferno vas
  6. The Summoning
  7. Cuatro caballeros
  8. Journey into Fear
  • Ben Woods
  • Brian Spalding
  • Uriah Duffy
  • Thomas Perry



Master Of The Aire  
2008
  1. Master of the Aire
  2. Seguiriyas
  3. Strange Rails
  4. Nightwalkers
  5. The Curse
  6. Istvan
  7. La Cuenta
  8. Left Hemisphere
  9. Peteneras
  10. The Swarm
  11. M.O.T.A Reprise
  • Ben Woods
  • Brian Spalding
  • Angeline Saris
  • Thomas Perry



Heavy Mellow  COVERS
2010
  1. Spill The Blood (Slayer)
  2. In My Darkest Hour (Megadeth)
  3. Aces High (Iron Maiden)
  4. Gates Of Babylon (Rainbow)
  5. I Am A Viking (Yngwie Malmsteen)
  6. Sails Of Charon (Scorpions)
  7. Tears Are Falling (Kiss)
  8. Eyes Of A Stranger (Queensryche)
  9. Welcome Home (King Diamond)
  10. Bark At The Moon (Ozzy Osbourne)
  11. Cursed
  • Ben Woods



Flametal  
2014 independent
  1. Alien Ghost Maneuvers
  2. Legacy of Djinn (Bulerias)
  3. Tribal Sahidi
  4. Forbidden Zone
  5. Cosmosis (Bulerias)
  6. Cuatro Cervezas (Sevillanas)
  7. Mora Mora (Zambra)
  8. Por Arriba (Solea)
  9. 1849
  10. Pineal Eye (Bulerias)
  11. Magnetic Propulsion (Tientos)
  • Ben Woods
  • Glen Drover
  • Marc Rizzo
  • Sean Reinert
  • Mike Benett



Redux  
2023 independent
  1. Anda Jaleo
  2. Bamflam
  3. Beyond the Horizon
  4. Bruja
  5. Cruising the Void
  6. Elder
  7. Primal
  8. Solar Flames
  9. Summon
  10. Reflexión




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