Baleas, meaning “whales” in Galician, checks in with us from the eclectic music scene of northwest Spain’s Galicia region. Formed by musicians from diverse backgrounds, the band unites artists previously involved in hardcore, progressive rock, and metal. Despite their wide influences, Baleas primarily identifies with post-rock and post-metal (aka brutal pop), creating a unique sound that reflects their broad musical tastes.
In our feature below, Baleas reveals their handpicked top 10 Spanish bands, highlighting the diverse influences that inspire their unique sound.
Recently, Baleas released their debut EP titled L’appel du vide, featuring three self-produced tracks. The EP was recorded in their rehearsal space and handled entirely by the band, showcasing their commitment to self-management and artistic independence. Following this release, the band plans to return to the studio to record three additional songs, continuing their momentum in the music industry.
Baleas draws inspiration from a variety of influential bands, including Brutus, If These Trees Could Talk, Mogwai, Alcest, This Will Destroy You, God Is an Astronaut, The End of the Ocean, Tides from Nebula, Russian Circles, and Cult of Luna. Their diverse influences extend to contemporary bands like Glaston, Astodan, Nothing, Chalk Hands, DIIV, and Iress, reflecting their appreciation for the evolving alternative music landscape.
Daniel, a member of Baleas, emphasizes the band’s departure from typical genre constraints: “…for me, coming from punk-rock and metal, Baleas gives me the opportunity to get out of the typical roles of those genres. Here we can experiment with harmonies and passages that make us be totally free with respect to our way of playing. It’s like we reach a goal by going different ways…”.
Diego, another band member, offers insight into their musical philosophy: “…Making a retrospective of the music I have made during all these years, I have realized that regardless of the style, all my songs in the background have a pop conception, that is, I have always tried that somehow, each song when you listen to it, stays in your head to a greater or lesser extent and if you reduce it to an acoustic format of a single guitar for example, the resulting skeleton or structure, still works just like the whole song, reaching your head and staying inside you. That’s why, as a definition of the style we do, I would say we are a brutal pop band…”
The EP L’appel du vide features three tracks, each with distinct themes and inspirations:
Ecaterina
Ecaterina takes as a reference Ecaterina Teodoroiu, a Romanian soldier who fought and died in the First World War. Entering a mostly male world, she demonstrated courage and self-sacrifice, becoming respected and decorated.
Today, in addition to being a symbol of her country, she is the first woman to appear on a banknote.
For all this, Ecaterina was composed thinking of all the mothers and grandmothers who were born with nothing and had to fight their own wars to get ahead.
Accompanied by Gabriel Aresti’s poem (recited by Irune Zabaleta), we want to make this song an ode to those who fight daily battles, defending their principles and their loved ones with bare hands.
This song is deeply inspired by the feeling that unites us all with our land, our roots and our family. In the poem there are some verses that synthesize it perfectly.
…” They will take away my weapons and with my hands I will defend
my father’s house; they will cut off my hands and with my arms I will defend my father’s house.
my father’s house; they will leave me without arms, without shoulders and without breasts,
and with my soul I will defend my father’s house.
I shall die, my soul shall be lost, my offspring shall be lost,
but my father’s house shall stand…”
Bailan llamas
“You and I will be a bonfire
while the night devours the world
only fire will matter within these walls”.
It is an allegory of intimate relationships, that moment when the world can burn out there and only the connection you have with the person you love matters. Feeling that that moment and that person are your refuge.
Weltschmerz
Carlo Maria Cipolla said that “There is a human force more energetic than the largest corporations, more powerful than the most robust states and even bolder than sophisticated criminal networks. That force is that of human stupidity.”
Human beings can be wonderful, but they can also be terrible, implacable and insane, which is why it is so difficult to face the reality around us.
It is hard to understand that the same species that created Auschwitz is the same species capable of making a sculpture by Bernini, a record like “Wish you were here” or a painting by Caravaggio, isn’t it?
“Weltschmerz” is based on that feeling of absolute contradiction and the despair it produces, and at the same time it tries to reflect the pain of someone who feels left out, a victim trapped in a wheel of destruction that keeps turning while looking at the sky and trying to find a ray of hope.
But the gods no longer live in heaven, mankind created them and destroyed them as well.
Top 10 Spanish bands to dive into
Baleas sat down with us to give you their top 10 Spanish bands worth a good listen, a list they proudly present as part of their year-end reflections.
TOUNDRA
Undoubtedly they are the national reference band, nobody had reached as far as they have in a minority style such as post rock. Since their beginnings they have created impeccable songs and albums.
LE TEMPS DU LOUP
Another incredible band! I would dare to say that they are the Spanish Russian Circles, but not without their own personality.
SYBERIA
High quality progressive post rock. A gem!
EL ALTAR DEL HOLOCAUSTO
A clear bet for post rock and post metal, but always with tunics hahahahaha!
DÛRGA
Another of the greats of national post rock, a band that improves with each album, creating great compositions that are like a roller coaster of emotions.
TERRESTRE
Russian Circles, Omega Massif and Kokomo… take those three ingredients, mix them well and you will have their sound.
DERIVA
Perhaps the band with the most progressive sound in this list. Great musicians that unite technique and intensity making metal sound interesting again.
KALTE SONNE
The incombustible post metal trio!!!
BONEFLOWER
A great band that has been able to evolve combining post harcore, screamo with evocative atmospheres of post rock, even approaching the most modern shoegaze.
ÁNTEROS
Screamo, post-hardcore, sludge… the three pillars of a great band with a devastating sound.
Baleas consists of Sara Cabaleiro on drums, María Velasco on bass, Adrián Campo on keyboards, Daniel Balseiro on guitar, and Diego Garcia on guitar.
L’appel du vide is available on Bandcamp, Spotify, and their YouTube channel. Follow the band via Instagram.
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