In 2001, the three members of Buenos Aires heavy rockers Los Natas released their self-titled debut as Santoro, collaborating with frontman Jose “El Topo” Armetta, known for his work in the more metallic/aggressive Demonauta and Massacre. I guess after the record, both parties — the trio and Armetta — went back about their business, but there was a second album started in 2005, and now that’s been released as a five-songer EP called Delta Krieg Commando that hints at where the sophomore outing might’ve gone had it been completed.

It’s special to hear now in no small part because Los Natas seem to be the last band who ever existed not reuniting (even The Beatles put a song out last year), and so having Sergio Chotsourian, Walter Broide and Gonzalo Villagra together on a yet-unheard recording — even one that so raw — is welcome. After this, Chotsourian — now of solo work, Ararat, Soldati, BRNO, South American Sludge Records and various other projects and collabs — and Armetta would work together in the nascent, post-metallic outfit Venosidad (this post from 2009 links to their MySpace; fun), but at least nothing was ever made public. Who knows, maybe there are more CDRs in whichever box Sergio found these. Life’s short and mostly miserable. You gotta take what you can get.

And of course it hasn’t been that long since Chotsourian‘s latest solo release as Sergio Ch., as the single “Shesus Christ” (posted here) arrived in December. I’d point out that he’s working on new songs, but why even? He’s always working on new songs. That’s how you do this. Constantly.

Hail South American heavy:

new release!
santoro ep
“delta krieg commando”
recorded circa 2005
3 unreleased songs + 2 songs in their original master cut

it was meant to be santoro’s second album, but never [finished]. i finally undusted the cdr master tapes and blew it out. los natas + el topo (local metal legend from bands massacre and dragonauta).

1. El Rey Del Miedo 05:35
2. the Warrior 03:25
3. Pompeya Drag Queen 05:33
4. Barridos Por El Viento 04:16
5. El Collar Del Perro 06:13

Recorded, mixed and mastered by Patricio Claypole at Estudio el Attic. Artwork by Sergio Ch. Produced by Patricio Claypole. South American Sludge Records.

Santoro:
Jose “el Topo” Armetta – Vocals
Sergio Ch. – Guitarra & Vocals
Gonzalo Villagra – Bass
Walter Broide – Bateria

https://www.facebook.com/sergiochfkbook
https://www.instagram.com/sergioch_ig/
http://www.sergioch.com/

http://www.southamericansludge.com/
https://sasrecords.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/SASRECORDSARGENTINA

Santoro, Delta Krieg Commando (2024)

So because I’m definitely not stalking Argentina‘s Los Natas on MySpace or anything like that, I just happened upon the page for Sergio Chotsourian side-project Santoro not too long ago. Those of the remembering type will recall their self-titled album put out by People Like You Records in 2001. I picked it up a while back, and since as anyone who’s checked this site more than once since it’s been up knows I’ve been on something of a Los Natas kick lately, I was interested to see what the Santoro dudes were up to nowadays.

Turns out Santoro vocalist Topo Armetta and Chotsourian have a new band going called Venosidad. Their MySpace page only has two songs up, and Armetta plays bass in addition to singing, but from what I can tell it’s a bit more metal than what Santoro was doing — something like desert rock meets Neurosis. Bluesy post-metal. Just thought I’d point them out in case I wasn’t the only one interested. Hopefully we’ll get a full demo from them sooner than later.