Impureza – Alcázares

Franco-Spanish metal band Impureza combines a fusion of styles which falls most definitely under the genre of Hispanic metal. The bringing together of flamenco and death metal is unusual but not unknown, Allegaeon being another example. However, with this material the flamenco element has a truly authentic sound and plays a bigger part throughout. The band’s name translates as impurity and that is true of their music, being neither pure flamenco nor pure death metal. 

Their new – and third album – “Alcázares” started life in March 2021 and has been approximately four years in the making. This new chapter has a concept that explores the Reconquista, which was the medieval Spanish period from 722 to 1492. During that time there was a series of campaigns by Christian states to recapture territory from the Muslims (Moors). These incumbents had occupied most of the Iberian Peninsula since the early 8th century. 

The lyrics and delivery thereof are all in Spanish. Also referred to as the language of Cervantes, so called because of the huge influence of author Miguel Cervantes. This adds some mystique, but for those not conversant in the language it negates the enjoyment of the concept element. That said, I was looking forward to translating the track titles, something that proved to be not 100% possible.

Verdiales is a very old flamenco style and is also the title of the opening short instrumental. The style was originally based on the fandango and the track introduces you to that side of Hispanic metal. The next track brings in the other genre, death metal. The story within the concept begins here in ‘Bajo Las Tizonas De Toledo’ (possibly Under the Swords of Toledo).  

Preparation for battle seems to be the gist of this song, as some roughly translated lyrics would suggest. “The fortress opens its gates. The cavalry is ready. The wind raises the dust. The rider will raise his sword. The cursed sandy paths will guide you. The voices of deceased souls will speak to you. They will speak to you, under the swords of Toledo”, and so on. The riffs are heavy, the guitar licks squeal, there’s harsh and clean vocals but there is a definite Spanish feel to it. 

Spiralling drum rolls from Guilhem Auge introduce ‘Covadonga’ and there’s no need to translate this title; it’s a Municipality in Spain. The brutal side of the material then takes over courtesy of harsh vocals from Esteban Martín and heavy but catchy riffs. By this point all aspects of the band’s sound have been experienced. For their first single from this album, they chose a track that encompasses all those ingredients. Acoustic guitar and a bit of trumpet ease you into ‘Pestilencia’. Then, one by one, the rest of the elements that the band has in its repertoire present themselves. There are no prizes for guessing what this song’s title translates as. 

Combining the genres is common in most of the tracks and the expectation of changes throughout a number is inevitable. Both ‘Reconquistar Al-Ándalus’ and ‘La Orden Del Yelmo Negro’ (The Order of the Black Helm) certainly follow that trend. Nestling between them lies another short instrumental of pure flamenco complete with hand clapping entitled ‘Murallas’ (walls). 

Ecclesiastical Punishments implies a particularly nasty part of the story and in the heaviest parts of ‘Castigos Eclesiasticos’ imagination can take over. The story then continues with ‘El Ejército De Los Fallecidos De Alarcos’ (The Army of the Dead of Alarcos). Here we enter the realms of the supernatural. “The fallen in Alarcos are reborn. Black magic directed by the sacred hand of evil witchcraft. Children of oppression, malevolence, black magic, divine art, supreme eternal, creatures of the night”. The suitably intense and fast pace throughout make this one of the heavier tracks on the album. 

There’s one last short instrumental called ‘Ruina Del Alcázar’ (Ruins of the Alcázar) before the final push. Here the talents of Lionel Cano Muñoz on guitar and Florian Saillard on fretless bass really shine. The last chapter in this story is ‘Santa Inquisición’ (Holy Inquisition) and they finish in gran moda (grand fashion) with their hybrid style. It’s brutal in parts but tempered with subtle Hispanic influences woven in, creating an extreme but sublime end to this story.                     

I’m not sure I’ve come across a band quite like Impureza before, sometimes it’s like listening to two different bands. The straightforward death metal parts sound much like many other bands. The flamenco sections are delightful, but the best bits come when they merge the two styles in what can only be described as Death Flamenco. They prefer to call it Hispanic Metal, and if that’s not progressive enough, I don’t know what is. 

Track-list:

1. Verdiales
2. Bajo Las Tizonas De Toledo
3. Covadonga
4. Pestilencia
5. Reconquistar Al-Ándalus
6. Murallas
7. La Orden Del Yelmo Negro
8. Castigos Eclesiástico
9. El Ejército De Los Fallecidos De Alarcos
10. Ruina Del Alcázar
11. Santa Inquisición