BARON ROJO – Volumen Brutal 12" Vinyl LP Album

- Spain’s loudest export of 1982, recorded in London and forged in pure heavy metal fire.

Album Front Cover Photo of BARON ROJO – Volumen Brutal Visit: https://vinyl-records.nl/

“Volumen Brutal” by Barón Rojo is more than a record — it’s a revolution pressed into vinyl. Recorded in London’s Kingsway Studios and produced by Vicente “Chapa” Romero with sound engineer Bob Broglia, this 1982 release was the Spanish band’s battle cry to the world. A bilingual assault of riffs and rebellion, it captured Spain’s leap from dictatorship silence into roaring, electrified freedom.

Table of Contents

"Volumen Brutal" (1982) Album Description:

When "Volumen Brutal" landed in 1982, it wasn’t just another heavy metal record — it was Spain’s loud, defiant declaration that they could play with the big boys. Barón Rojo didn’t just make an album; they carved their country’s name into the same molten wall as Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, and Accept. It was fast, furious, and unapologetically proud.

From Franco’s Shadow to Heavy Metal Glory

Spain was still shaking off its post-dictatorship hangover when Barón Rojo plugged in their Marshalls. Rock music had been suppressed for decades, and the early 1980s finally cracked open the doors. The country was hungry for rebellion, and heavy metal — with its volume, attitude, and freedom — fit like a leather glove on a clenched fist.

The Road to London

Brothers Armando and Carlos de Castro had already built a local following with their debut, "Larga Vida al Rock and Roll." But they wanted more than regional fame — they wanted the sound and punch of international metal. So they packed their guitars, crossed the Channel, and recorded at London’s Kingsway Recorders, the same studio used by metal royalty.

The Sound of Determination

“Volumen Brutal” explodes with thick riffs, dual-guitar harmonies, and a contagious sense of purpose. Songs like "Los Rockeros Van al Infierno" and "Resistiré" blend British metal muscle with a distinctly Spanish sense of drama. It’s an album that sounds both familiar and foreign — like Iron Maiden taking a detour through Madrid after too much Rioja.

Two Languages, One Attitude

In a bold move, Barón Rojo recorded the album in both Spanish and English. It wasn’t just a marketing trick — it was a statement. Few non-English metal bands of the era dared to chase the global stage, and even fewer pulled it off. The English version landed features in Kerrang! and earned the band a cult following beyond Iberia.

Heavy Metal’s European Kinship

Compared to the polished theatrics of Iron Maiden’s “Number of the Beast” or the street grit of Accept’s “Restless and Wild,” “Volumen Brutal” carries a rawer soul. The production isn’t pristine, but it bleeds sincerity — a DIY anthem from musicians who knew they had one shot to make the world listen.

Behind the Amps and Cigarette Smoke

Producer Vicente “Chapa” Romero steered the sessions like a true believer, while British engineer Bob Broglia gave the mix its metallic backbone. The band’s chemistry was electric, sometimes literally — the tension between ambition and exhaustion fed directly into their sound. You can almost hear the sweat in the grooves.

Legacy of a Loud Revolution

“Volumen Brutal” didn’t just break Barón Rojo internationally — it broke the ceiling for Spanish rock itself. Suddenly, Spain wasn’t just importing heavy metal; it was exporting it. Decades later, the album still roars with that first rush of freedom — all distortion, pride, and youthful defiance pressed forever into vinyl.

And if you drop the needle today, it still feels like 1982 all over again — loud, hopeful, and just a little bit dangerous.

Album Key Details: Genre, Label, Format & Release Info

Music Genre:

Spanish Heavy Metal / Hard Rock

One of Spain’s first internationally recognized heavy metal albums, “Volumen Brutal” fused the raw fire of British heavy metal with the melodic intensity of Spanish rock. Its fierce guitar interplay and vocal harmonies made Barón Rojo the flagship of Iberian metal during the early 1980s.

Label & Catalognr:

Kamaflage Records – Cat#: KAM LP 4

Album Packaging

Standard sleeve with striking militaristic artwork symbolizing power and unity through metal.

No custom inner sleeve included.

Media Format:

Record Format: 12" Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record
Total Weight: 230g

Year & Country:

1982 – United Kingdom

Collector’s Note: Kamaflage Records and the Barón Rojo Connection (1982)

Back when I bought Volumen Brutal by Barón Rojo, I didn’t realize it came from one of those short-lived British labels that burned bright and vanished just as fast. Kamaflage Records was the kind of imprint that probably ran on caffeine, cigarette smoke, and a phone line shared with the accounting department of RCA. They gave us loud guitars, questionable budgets, and sleeves that smelled faintly of optimism and ink.

The label’s entire operation fit comfortably on a floppy disk—if only such a thing could hold analog chaos. No cloud storage, no digital backup; just a handful of metal albums, pressed on black vinyl and shipped out to the faithful. Every release carried that homemade energy: part underground rebellion, part tax write-off.

My copy of Volumen Brutal still bears the Kamaflage logo like a secret handshake. It’s a relic of that time when “independent” meant scraping by, when phone calls were made from phone booths, and when mastering engineers still smelled faintly of reel-to-reel tape. Kamaflage didn’t survive the metal wars of the mid-’80s, but its catalog remains a fascinating footnote in the story of how heavy metal broke out of the basements and into history.

Production & Recording Information:

Producers:
  • Vicente Romero – Producer
    Known under the nickname “Chapa,” Vicente Romero was a key figure in the rise of Spain’s hard rock and heavy metal scene. As producer and founder of Chapa Discos, he championed local talent and pushed Barón Rojo to international visibility.
Sound & Recording Engineers:
  • Bob Broglia – Sound Engineer

    Bob Broglia is a renowned British sound engineer whose exceptional talent has made a significant impact on the heavy metal music scene during the 1980s. With his unmatched skills and meticulous approach to recording, he played a pivotal role in capturing the raw energy and power of numerous iconic bands, including Baron Rojo, Panzer, Samson, and White Spirit.

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    Born and raised in the music scene of London, England, Bob Broglia developed a deep passion for music and sound from a young age. Fascinated by the technical aspects of audio engineering, he honed his skills by experimenting with various recording techniques and equipment. His dedication and innate talent quickly earned him a reputation as one of the most sought-after sound engineers in the industry.

    In the early 1980s, Broglia's career took a significant turn when he began working closely with heavy metal bands. Known for their aggressive guitar riffs, thunderous drumming, and powerful vocals, these bands required a sound engineer who could accurately capture their intense and energetic performances. Broglia proved to be the perfect fit for the job.

    His collaboration with Baron Rojo, a Spanish heavy metal band known for their electrifying live shows and soaring guitar solos, resulted in critically acclaimed albums that showcased the band's true essence. Broglia's meticulous attention to detail and his ability to balance the various instruments allowed the band's sound to shine and resonate with audiences worldwide.

    Panzer, another influential band of the era, relied on Broglia to capture their heavy and aggressive sound accurately. Working closely with the band members, he expertly recorded their blistering guitar riffs, thunderous basslines, and thundering drum beats. The albums produced during their collaboration showcased Panzer's intensity and further solidified Broglia's reputation as a sound engineer par excellence.

    Samson, a British heavy metal band fronted by the legendary Bruce Dickinson before his Iron Maiden days, also benefited from Broglia's exceptional recording skills. He ensured that Dickinson's soaring vocals were captured flawlessly, creating a perfect balance with the band's dynamic instrumentation. The albums produced during their collaboration became iconic in the heavy metal genre, earning them a dedicated fan base.

    White Spirit, a band that featured former Iron Maiden guitarist Janick Gers, also entrusted Broglia with their sonic vision. His expertise in capturing the intricacies of heavy metal music enabled White Spirit to deliver albums that were both powerful and refined, showcasing the band's musical prowess.

    Throughout his career, Bob Broglia demonstrated an unwavering commitment to his craft and a deep understanding of heavy metal music. His collaborations with Baron Rojo, Panzer, Samson, and White Spirit played a crucial role in shaping the sound of heavy metal in the 1980s. His recordings captured the raw energy, aggression, and passion of these bands, leaving an indelible mark on the genre.

    Bob Broglia's contributions to heavy metal sound engineering continue to be celebrated and revered to this day. His legacy as a talented and influential sound engineer lives on, serving as an inspiration for future generations of music producers and sound engineers alike.

Recording Location:

Kingsway Studios – London, United Kingdom

Band Members / Musicians:

Band Line-up:
  • Armando de Castro – Guitar, Vocals
    Full name: Armando Manuel de Castro Rueda. Brother of Carlos de Castro. Started his musical career in 1968 and played in the bands “Cracking Hearts”, “Materia”, “Blue Bar”, “Asfalto”, “Kafrú” and “Coz”. In 1980 he co-founded Barón Rojo with his brother Carlos, where he still plays today.
  • Carlos de Castro – Guitar, Vocals
    Full name: Carlos de Castro Rueda. Brother of Armando de Castro. Began his career in 1968 and performed with “Cracking Hearts”, “Franklin”, “Materia”, “Blue Bar”, “Asfalto”, “Kafrú” and “Coz”. In 1980 he co-founded Barón Rojo with Armando, continuing to perform with the band.
  • Hermes Calabria – Drums
    Full name: Hermes Orlando Calabria Mounic. Started as drummer with “Western Union”, later joining “Ovni”, “Psiglo” and “Azabache”, before becoming a founding member of Barón Rojo in 1980.
  • Mel Collins – Saxophone
    British saxophonist known for his work with “Camel”, “King Crimson”, and “The Alan Parsons Project”, among many others.

Complete Track-listing:

Tracklisting Side One:
  1. Isolation Ward (3:38)
  2. Rockers Go To Hell (4:15)
  3. Give Me The Chance (3:32)
  4. Termites (4:05)
  5. Flowers Of Evil (4:51)
Video: Barón Rojo - Los Rockeros Van Al Infierno (Aplauso (Actuación TVE))
Tracklisting Side Two:
  1. Stand Up (5:01)
  2. Someone's Loving You (4:10)
  3. Concert For Them (4:40)
  4. You're Telling Me (3:21)
  5. The Baron Fly Over England (2:42)
Video: Barón Rojo - Resistiré (Planeta Imaginario (Actuación TVE))

Disclaimer: Track durations shown are approximate and may vary slightly between different country editions or reissues. Variations can result from alternate masterings, pressing plant differences, or regional production adjustments.

Additional Notes:

“Volumen Brutal” was issued in both Spanish and English versions, recorded during the same sessions at Kingsway Recorders. The bilingual approach was a deliberate push for international recognition and helped Barón Rojo secure press coverage in the UK metal magazines of the era.

Album Front Cover Photo
The front cover of Barón Rojo’s 1982 album Volumen Brutal features a powerful and iconic image: a clenched human fist wearing a black leather bracelet studded with sharp metallic spikes, punching forcefully through a sheet of reflective silver metal. The impact appears to rip and tear the surface, creating jagged edges around the fist, as though the energy of heavy metal itself has burst through the confines of the cover. Above the fist, the band’s name BARON ROJO is printed in bold red capital letters against the metallic background, while the album title VOLUMEN BRUTAL is embossed below in chrome-like silver letters with deep shadows that enhance the sense of weight and strength. The visual theme perfectly captures the aggressive power, rebellious spirit, and unfiltered energy of early-1980s heavy metal culture. The combination of metal textures, physical impact, and vibrant typography makes this one of the most visually arresting covers in European rock history.

The album cover for Barón Rojo’s Volumen Brutal explodes with visual aggression. A clenched fist, wrapped in a studded black leather bracelet, bursts through a shiny metallic surface as if the power of music itself could tear through steel. The surface splinters into jagged shards, frozen in the moment of impact.

Above this dramatic centerpiece, the band’s name BARON ROJO appears in bold red capitals, commanding attention like a battle flag over the wreckage. Below, the title VOLUMEN BRUTAL gleams in embossed silver type, its three-dimensional shading reflecting light like molten chrome. The composition radiates a sense of motion, noise, and rebellion — the visual equivalent of a power chord.

The artwork’s polished steel tones and tactile realism evoke both industrial force and raw human energy. It captures the spirit of 1982 heavy metal: unrestrained, proud, and physical. This is not just an album sleeve but a statement — a visual punch that mirrors the band’s defiant sound and Spain’s new wave of rock liberation.

Note: The image shown is a high-resolution photograph of the actual vinyl cover. Minor color differences may occur due to lighting and camera flash reflections during photography.

Album Back Cover Photo
The back cover of Barón Rojo’s 1982 album Volumen Brutal presents a powerful visual continuation of the front design. The metallic background appears torn open once again, revealing a live performance photo of the band in action on stage at The Marquee, London. The torn metal edges create a dynamic frame, as if the music itself has ripped through the cover to expose the energy beneath. At the top, bold red panels list all ten tracks, divided neatly into two columns for each side of the record, complete with song durations. The names of the musicians—José Luis Campuzano (Sherpa) on bass and vocals, Armando and Carlos de Castro on guitars and vocals, Hermes Calabria on drums, and guest players Mel Collins on saxophone and Colin Towns on keyboards—are printed below in striking red type. Credits note Kingsway Recorders, London, with engineer Bob Broglia and producer Vicente Romero. At the bottom right appear the logos of Kamaflage Records and the catalog number KAM LP4, anchoring the design with clear authenticity. The overall composition blends industrial imagery with live energy, embodying the spirit of early 1980s heavy metal.

The back cover of Barón Rojo’s Volumen Brutal continues the theme of raw power and motion. The metallic surface is torn apart again, revealing a photograph of the band performing live on stage at London’s legendary Marquee Club. The lighting flares, instruments, and silhouettes radiate the intensity of a real concert frozen mid-song.

Above the image, a bold red strip runs across the top, listing all ten tracks in two neat columns — Side One and Side Two — complete with their running times. Each song title is printed in crisp black text, matching the precision of the record’s energy. The band’s logo, a red-winged insignia with the name Barón Rojo, sits prominently beneath the photo like a seal of authenticity.

Below the image, the production credits are printed in red text: José Luis Campuzano (Sherpa) on bass and vocals, Armando and Carlos de Castro on guitars and vocals, Hermes Calabria on drums, with guest contributions from Mel Collins (saxophone) and Colin Towns (keyboards). The recording details credit Kingsway Recorders in London, engineer Bob Broglia, and producer Vicente Romero. On the bottom right, the Kamaflage Records logo and catalog number KAM LP4 identify the UK release. The design captures the band’s international ambition and the fierce energy that defined their breakthrough album.

Note: This is a high-resolution photograph of the original back cover. Minor lighting or color variations may occur due to reflection and camera flash. All visible details are preserved for accurate archival representation.

Close-up Photo of Side One Record Label
High-resolution close-up of Side One record label for Barón Rojo’s 1982 album Volumen Brutal, released on Kamaflage Records. The circular label is matte black with bright red text and the Kamaflage logo printed at the top. Around the spindle hole, in bold red letters, appear the album title Volumen Brutal and band name Baron Rojo. On the left margin are the words SIDE 1, 33⅓ RPM, and STEREO, clearly marking playback speed and format. The track listing for Side One follows: 1. Isolation Ward, 2. Rockers Go to Hell, 3. Give Me the Chance, 4. Termites, and 5. Flowers of Evil, with songwriting credits to Carolina Cortés and the de Castro brothers. Production credits note Vicente Romero as producer, courtesy of Chapa Discos, with publishing by Dick James Music Ltd. The catalog number KAM LP4 is printed on the right, and the rim text circles the label with legal copyright and reproduction warnings typical of early 1980s UK vinyl pressings.

This is the Side One label of Barón Rojo’s 1982 album Volumen Brutal, issued by Kamaflage Records in the United Kingdom. The design uses a deep matte-black background with sharp red typography that stands out vividly against the vinyl surface.

The Kamaflage Records logo appears boldly at the top center, followed by the album title Volumen Brutal and the band name Barón Rojo in uppercase letters. The left side of the label reads “SIDE 1,” “33⅓ RPM,” and “STEREO,” denoting playback format, while the right side features the catalog number KAM LP4.

The track list includes five songs: “Isolation Ward,” “Rockers Go to Hell,” “Give Me the Chance,” “Termites,” and “Flowers of Evil,” with writing credits to Carolina Cortés and the de Castro brothers. Below the list are the production details — produced by Vicente Romero, courtesy of Chapa Discos, with publishing by Dick James Music Ltd. The outer ring of the label bears standard copyright and manufacturing notices printed in red, circling the edge like a protective frame.

Note: This is a direct photograph of the original UK pressing. Minor reflections on the surface are from lighting during capture, highlighting the record’s natural gloss.

Close-up Photo of Side Two Record Label
High-resolution close-up of Side Two record label for Barón Rojo’s 1982 album Volumen Brutal, issued by Kamaflage Records in the UK. The matte black label features red text and the Kamaflage logo printed at the top center. Below the logo, the album title Volumen Brutal and band name Baron Rojo are printed in bold uppercase letters. On the left, SIDE 2, 33⅓ RPM, and STEREO are neatly aligned, while the catalog number KAM LP4 appears on the right. The track listing includes five songs: Stand Up, Someone’s Loving You, Concert for Them, You’re Telling Me, and The Baron Fly Over England, with songwriting credits attributed to Carolina Cortés, Armando de Castro, and band members José Luis Campuzano and Hermes Calabria. The lower section notes publishing by Dick James Music Ltd and production by Vicente Romero, courtesy of Chapa Discos. Around the edge, fine red text reads 'ALL RIGHTS OF THE MANUFACTURER... MADE IN ENGLAND,' typical of early 1980s heavy metal vinyl pressings.

The Side Two label of Barón Rojo’s Volumen Brutal mirrors the visual style of Side One: a deep matte-black label with striking red lettering. At the top, the Kamaflage Records logo stands prominently, underscoring the authenticity of this UK pressing.

Centered below the logo are the album title Volumen Brutal and band name Barón Rojo in bold red capitals. On the left margin, the specifications “SIDE 2,” “33⅓ RPM,” and “STEREO” are clearly displayed, with the catalog number KAM LP4 positioned opposite on the right. The circular layout around the spindle hole creates a perfect symmetry for readability and design balance.

The five tracks on Side Two are listed in order: “Stand Up,” “Someone’s Loving You,” “Concert for Them,” “You’re Telling Me,” and “The Baron Fly Over England.” Songwriting credits include Carolina Cortés and Armando de Castro, with contributions from José Luis Campuzano and Hermes Calabria. Below, red text indicates publishing by Dick James Music Ltd and production by Vicente Romero, courtesy of Chapa Discos. The outer ring carries the standard copyright statement in red type, forming a circular frame that completes the professional layout typical of early-1980s heavy metal releases.

Note: This is a high-resolution image of the original UK pressing. Slight surface reflections may be visible due to lighting during photography, accentuating the record’s authentic analog texture.

Photography Notes:

All images shown here were taken from the original vinyl copy of Barón Rojo’s “Volumen Brutal.” No digital restoration or editing was applied beyond basic lighting correction. These high-resolution photos preserve the texture of the sleeve and label — every crease, ink tone, and press-plant imperfection that tells its story.

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