The mariachi metal majesty of Metalachi in Fullerton, CA
On a beautiful Saturday evening in Fullerton, California, the incomparable Metalachi — the world’s first heavy metal mariachi band — took the stage at The Charleston, presented by Tangent Productions. With the band’s unique fusion of traditional mariachi music and classic heavy metal, Metalachi delivered a performance that was as eccentric as it was electrifying.
The evening was a riotous and, at times, hilarious.
The show opened with an awesome rendition of Guns N’ Roses‘ “Welcome to the Jungle” transforming the iconic rock anthem into a fiesta. Metal riffs were seamlessly blended with mariachi trumpet and violin, exciting the mix of metalheads, mariachi enthusiasts, and curious newcomers in the place. Halfway through the song, the band encouraged the crowd to close in towards the front of the stage and dance — and did they ever!
Following the fun and fiery opener, there were several highlights. The band launched into an unexpected cover of Dio’s “Holy Diver”. It was a sonic moment that transported true metalheads in the building through the annals of rock history, all the while keeping them firmly rooted in the festive atmosphere of a backyard cookout in East LA.
Metalachi’s version of Whitesnake’s “Here I Go Again” had the crowd swaying and singing along. The band’s rendition of Sublime’s “Santeria” was also a standout moment, demonstrating their versatility: the familiar reggae rock beat was given a mariachi twist, creating a version that was both fresh and nostalgic… and the crowd was 100% there for it. It seemed to be an especially popular song with the ladies in the crowd.
Other highlight songs on the night were Alice in Chains‘ “Man in the Box”, during which frontman Victor Wichmann took some liberties with the lyrics — much to the ladies in the crowd’s delight.
No spoilers, you will have to take my word for it and go see them.
Two of my all-time favorite metal songs were next up — Iron Maiden’s “Run to the Hills” and Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs”. Now, I am typically a purest, especially for songs I truly love like these two, but, man, Metalachi just makes it work and damn well at that. They had me completely jamming! They wrapped the show with an encore version of Guns N’ Roses’ “Sweet Child or Mine”.
One of the most remarkable aspects of Metalachi’s performance is their musicianship. Each band member is a master of their instrument and, together, they create a sound that is both tight and expansive. Victor Wichmann is a great frontman; he has the metal vocal chops to pull off every song. Paco Halen is both humorous in his roles as lead guitar god and over-the-top metal master. Pancho Rockafellar, on guitarron, brought the bass and the straight face to the band, giving the sound it’s driving rhythm. The violin solos by Kyla Vera are as virtuosic as any rock guitar solo and the trumpet flourishes by El Pollo Loko added a layer of complexity to the music (and you can’t beat that name in his chicken mask).
I half expected to see him pull some luchador moves onstage!
Comparisons to other unique cover bands are inevitable. Like Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, who are known for their punk rock covers of pop songs, Metalachi takes familiar tunes and reimagines them in a completely different presentation. Richard Cheese’s lounge-style covers of rock and rap songs come to mind, as well, with both acts bringing a humorous and unexpected twist to well-known tracks. And much like Steel Panther’s satirical take on glam metal, Metalachi’s performance is steeped in humor and theatricality. However, what sets Metalachi apart is their deep respect for both the metal and mariachi traditions, fusing them in a way that feels both reverent and innovative.
The band’s interaction with the crowd was definitely a highlight of the night, too. Wichmann kept the audience engaged with his charismatic stage presence, joking and teasing the crowd between songs. The band’s playful banter included flirtations with the ladies in the audience and humorous comments about the “very confused gringos” in attendance.
And where else can you dance to Motörhead’s “Ace of Spades”, played with a mariachi twist? Metalachi’s ability to take these heavy metal classics and turn them into danceable, sing-along anthems is a testament to their creativity and showmanship. The crowd’s enthusiasm was obvious, with even the most reserved attendees eventually joining in the dancing and singing.
The spectacle of a Metalachi show is not to be missed.
The stage was a whirlwind of color and movement, with each member contributing to the overall sensory experience. Currently on tour, Metalachi is a must-see for anyone looking for a fun night out filled with great music and a lot of laughs. Whether you’re a diehard metal fan, a lover of mariachi, or just someone looking for something different, a Metalachi show promises a rocking good time.
Fullerton setlist – 07.27.24:
- “Negro/Jungle” – Guns N’ Roses
- “Ace of Spades” – Motörhead
- “Holy Diver” – Dio
- “Here I Go Again” – White Snake
- “Santeria” – Sublime
- “Man in the Box” – Alice in Chains
- “Run to the Hills” – Iron Maiden
- “War Pigs” – Black Sabbath
- “Under the Bridge” – Red Hot Chili Peppers
- ‘Crazy Train” – Ozzy Osborne
- “Living On a Prayer” – Bon Jovi
- “Rebel Yell” – Billy Idol
- “Pour Some Sugar On Me” – Def Leppard
- “Cancion del Mariachi”
- “Sweet Child of Mine (encore)” – Guns N’ Roses
Photography by Shane Pase
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