Sober

Sôber rose to prominence as one of Spain’s leading rock acts in the opening years of the 2000s. The Madrid-based quartet began life under the name Sober Stoned, a nod to the members’ decision to forgo alcohol. Their first album, Torcidos, surfaced in 1997; shortly afterward they trimmed the moniker to Sôber and inked a deal with Zero Records. Morfología arrived in 1999, yet only the third LP, Synthesis, brought the band national attention.

Paradÿsso, released in 2002, surpassed 100,000 copies on the strength of its progressive, guitar-heavy hard-rock style, frequently likened to American counterparts such as Tool. One further studio album, Reddo, preceded a lengthy hiatus that began in 2005. During the break each member launched solo ventures, though the side project Savia—featuring Sôber’s Carlos Escobedo and drummer Alberto Madrid—ended abruptly with Madrid’s fatal car crash in 2006.

The original lineup regrouped in 2010 with Manu Reyes on drums and commenced work on new material. Superbia appeared the following year, after which the band embarked on an extensive tour of Spain, South America, and Central America.