Rata Blanca

Heavy metal's initial foray into global recognition from Argentina came via Rata Blanca. Walter Giardino, the group's primary songwriter and driving force, earns recognition among Latin America's premier guitarists in the style, his playing frequently likened to that of Yngwie Malmsteen. Securing a contract with Polygram in 1988 allowed the release of their first full-length record. The follow-up effort Magos, Espadas y Rosas arrived in 1990, featuring standout tracks including the soft metal ballad "Mujer Amante" that has achieved sales exceeding one million units so far. Multiple editions of prominent metal festivals such as Monsters of Rock and Rock in Rio have featured Rata Blanca as headliners, where they performed alongside Ozzy Osbourne, Therapy?, and Alice Cooper. The year 2005 saw the issuance of the live DVD En Vivo: Teatro Gran Rex, documenting a performance in Buenos Aires that included former Deep Purple and Black Sabbath bassist Glenn Hughes.