Lords of Black

Tony Hernando, renowned rock guitarist, as a solo artist and also a guitarist and co-producer of the Saratoga group between 2007 and 2013, founded (with Ronnie Romero) Lords Of Black, with a truly modern sounding metal yet classic, progressive and melodic style approach. They were quickly joined in the project by drummer Andy C., who was along Tony Hernando in Saratoga previously and soon they started work composing, arranging, and recording their debut album with Tony Hernando and renowned guitarist and producer Roland Grapow (Masterplan, Ex- Helloween) as Producers. Their debut, self-titled album, Lords of Black, was released in May 2014 and the public and critical reaction was unanimous: it was one of the best releases of the year in that style.

The first live shows, including spots as special guests of internationally renowned bands such as Gotthard, Unisonic and Helloween, perfectly recreated the complexity and majesty of the studio album and added scenic and visual details to the show, making Lords Of Black reputation increase within fans and within the Hard Rock and Metal industry. It was, however, during production stages of the new album in 2015 when the "story of the year" in the world of rock exploded and spread like wildfire: Ritchie Blackmore announced his return to rock with a new line up of Rainbow which would contain Ronnie Romero in front as new the singer. This announcement changes everything; Lords of Black are finally world discovered and the band was immediately signed by the label Frontiers Records, with whom they released their new album, Lords of Black II[1] in March 2016, and again, the audiences and critics reviews were unanimous: "this is one of the best Rock-Metal albums of the year".

The debut album of the band, self-titled, has twelve songs and an instrumental introduction. This album combines powerful and catchy riffs with elaborate structures and harmonies and unexpected and original twists on some letters and varied and maintained themes that result in a powerful and entertaining journey.

The album was co-produced by band's guitarist and founder Tony Hernando and Roland Grapow, the latter who is also responsible for mixing and mastering in his Grapow Studios in Slovakia giving the album a very modern sound with a strong batteries and sharp and defined guitars. All this plastering with a defined low and rich orchestrations, on which the special voice of Romero shines brightly.

Highlights the issues "Lords of Black", "Nothing to Fear", "The Grand Design", "At the end of the world", songs really worked impactful melodies and choruses that are not forgotten ( "The World That came after "," Would you take me "," Forgive or Forget "," Too close to the edge ") with more epics like" The art of Illusion "Part I" Smoke and Mirrors "-Part II" The man from beyond ". All it enclosed with the part of almost ten minutes long, the epic "When everything is gone". The album is full of virtuosic brushwork by Tony Hernando and Andy C. that are integrated in a balanced way through all the passages.

In early 2016, the band signed a contract with the Italian label Frontiers Records under which they released their second album II. In its creation, they used the same formula of his previous work with Tony Hernando and Roland Grapow as producers and mixing and mastering by Roland Grapow at his "Grapow Studios" in Slovakia. "II" was soon to be acclaimed by fans and critics, a great follow up to his outstanding debut album, featuring the classic trademarks of the band combining Classic Rock and Heavy Metal with progressive and Epic elements but within songs that were easier to get at first (as guitarist Tony Hernando commented about, this was the unconscious result of the live shows experiences they just had touring for the previous album that made into the vibe and direction of the new record).

The album was a great international success and the band was able to tour non stop for more than a year, in different legs or opening for other artists such Axel Rudi Pell on September 2016. Lords Of Black closed an incredible 2016 with their first show in Japan at Loud Park Festival and another European Tour as headliners under the moniker of "Merciless Over Europe Tour" (fall 2016), with their minds set to begin writing and producing even a bigger follow up album.[2][3]

While continuing touring in support of the album "II" and making their first appearances in big festivals such as Wacken or Prog Power USA, the band was writing and recording demos intensely for the third album, knowing the importance of that and the created momentum up till then. The recordings took over a year to conclude and the album, entitled "Icons Of The New Days" was finally released on May 11, 2018, and the reception was once again overwhelming, with the first two singles and videos "Icons Of The New Days" and "World Gone Mad" as album presentation. "Icons Of The New Days" was released in standard cd, double cd limited edition with Bonus Tracks and on Double Gatefold Vinyl. However, the band played only two shows (opening for Ozzy Osbourne and Judas Priest) and no official Tour in support of the album followed, and after a few months with almost no public exposure, Ronnie Romero announced his departure from the band on January 4, 2019.

On February 13, 2019, the incorporation of a new vocalist was announced. The Argentine Diego Valdez (Dream Child, Electronomicon and ex-Helker and ex-Triddana) had the enormous challenge of replacing the charismatic Ronnie Romero. The band started pre production for a new album and announced a live performance at "Leyendas del Rock" Festival as official presentation for the new singer, but to the surprise of the public, the band appeared with not only Diego Valdez but with Dino Jelusic as lead singer for most of the show and with a temporary drummer as well. Months followed with very little activity of the band on the socials, making press and fan base wonder what was the state of the band and who'd be the actual singer to feature on the new album, already announced with a video teaser under the title of "Alchemy Of Souls Pt.I" for a 2020 release date.

On May 11, 2020, Lords of Black announced the return of Ronnie Romero and the conclusion of the production of follow up album "Alchemy of Souls". Later Jo Nunez was announced as the new drummer, being already on the recording of the new album .

• Tony Hernando - Guitars (2014–present)
• Daniel Criado - Bass (2017–present)
• Ronnie Romero - Vocals (2014-2019, 2020-present)
• Jo Nunez - Drums (2020-present)

• Diego Valdez - Vocals (2019)
• Víctor Durán - Bass (2014-2015)
• Javier García - Bass (2016–2017)
• Andy C. (Andres Cobos) - Drums (2014–2020)

• Lords of Black (2014)
• II (2016)
• Icons of the New Days (2018)
• Alchemy of Souls, Part 1 (2020)