Barricada

Spanish heavy metal outfit Barricada came together in the early 1980s around singer and bassist Enrique "El Drogas" Villareal. The lineup was completed by ex-Némesis guitarist Javier Hernández, drummer Mikel Astrain, and ex-Kafarmaún singer/guitarist Sergio Oses, and the group played its first show in 1982. Guitarist Alfredo Piedrafita soon stepped in for Sergio Oses. Independent imprint Soñua issued the quartet’s debut album, Noches de Rock & Roll, in 1983. On April 2, 1984, Mikel Astrain succumbed to a brain tumor; drummer Fernando Coronado filled the vacancy. The band honored Astrain by writing “Pon Esa Música de Nuevo,” a track that appeared on the second album, Barrio Conflictivo, released by RCA and followed the next year by No Hay Tregua. After moving to PolyGram, the rock act cut No Se Que Hacer Contigo and Rojo with producer Dennis J. Herman; both LPs reached stores in March 1988. A self-titled double live set, captured on January 19, 20, and 21, 1990, arrived later.