Rata Blanca

A revered name on the South American Metal circuit.
Rata Blanca was formed in 1985 by guitarist Walter Giardino. Considered as one of the most influential guitarist of the continent Rata Blanca established a reputation that inspired countless other bands in their wake.
Their debut album "Rata Blanca" proved a huge success and was followed by a Triple Platinum selling album "Magos, Espadas & Rosas" which was promoted with support slots to IAN GILLAN.
The album generated huge praise, surpassing the million sales mark globally.
The bands third album "Guerrero del Arco Iris", titled in honour of the Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior ship, was debuted live in front of over 30,000 fans at a single concert in Velez Sarsfield Stadium, still holding the record today as the biggest ever gig for a local band.
The group would undertake live work across all of South America and also Los Angeles, performing at the famous Whiskey A Go Go club.
Back in Buenos Aires, Rata Blanca cut a groundbreaking live album recorded over three nights at the Opera Theatre with a full chamber orchestra. Live dates further afield had the band trekking across Portugal and Spain and recording their fourth album "El Libro Oculto"
A fifth album "Entre El Cielo Y El Infierno" (Between Heaven And Hell), was recorded in the midst of a 1994 World Tour. The band performed at the Brazilian Monsters Of Rock festival in Sao Paolo sharing the stage with international heavyweights Ozzy Osbourne, Alice Cooper and Megadeth before 100,000 people.
Back in the studio Rata blanca recorded another album titled "VII" before the band split. During this time Walter focused on his solo career and recorded his aclaimed album "Temple", with a more contemporary rock style.
In 2001 a gathering of South American Metal talent paid homage to the band with the tribute album "La Leyenda Contin�a". Included would be artists such as Azeroth and Beto Vazquez Infinity.
Both Adri�n Barilari (Rata Blanca's lead singer0 and Walter Giardino made a special appearance uniting with members of premier league Finnish bands Nightwish and Stratovarius.
Rata Blanca reformed in 2001 and they toured South America and Mexico. A compilation "Grandes Canciones" was backed by further gigs including shows in Spain.
A new studio album "El Camino del Fuego" was delivered in June of 2002 followed by extensive touring.
Marking the return of Black Sabbath to the live stage on the Summer 2004 with 'Ozzfest', the Argentine label Blackstar Records issued a tribute album called "Sabbath Crosses: Tribute To Black Sabbath"
It included "No Stranger To Love" performed by Rata Blanca and featured former Black sabbath vocalist Glenn Hughes on vocals.
Rata Blanca also shared the stage in Buenos Aires with Glenn Hughes who was a guest of the band. They played some MKIII classics which were edited for the live DVD "En Vivo - Teatro gran Rex".
The band went back to the studio and recorded "La Llave de la Puerta Secreta" which reached Gold two days before its release on pre sales. Shortly after it was Platinum in Argentina.
The 2005 tour was extremely successful and they put in another high profile hometown gig in September, opening for Whitesnake and Judas Priest.
After three years of touring August 2008 saw the release of ""El Reino Olvidado"". Another successful album which reached Gold in the weeks after it's release.
The band presented the album throughout Spain, North and South America, including a sold out show at Luna Park Stadium in Buenos Aires with a very special guest, former Nightwish singer Tarja Turunen.
With plans to explore and expand though Europe and Japan, the album was re recorded in English with Doogie White on vocals, former Ritchie Blackmore''s Rainbow/Yngwie Malmsteen.
"The Forgotten Kingdom" was released in 2009 and it was presented the following year where the band played some dates in Argentina with Doogie on vocals.
Rata Blanca has been touring extensively during 2011 as they celebrate the 20th Anniversary of their aclaimed album "Magos, Espadas & Rosas". They recorded a live album at Rock & Pop radio station performing the original album and they sold out show including Luna Park Stadium, where over 8,000 atended, and Estadio Obras.