#Live Review – ELISA C. MARTIN – NEOGENESIS – Tete Novoa – June 21st, Sala RBX
Live report by Elyna
Welcome to my first Live review for Blessed Altar Zine. This kicking off delves into the show performed by Elisa Martin, ex Dark Moor vocalist, who debuted in Chile at Sala RBX on June 21st, along with Tete Novoa, ex Saratoga’s frontman.
Now, my love story with Elisa Martín began almost 20 years ago.
It was 2007, amidst the daily hustle and bustle of a metalhead mother of three young children. One Friday night, some of my friends arrived, bearing a Halloween tribute album: “The Keepers of Jericho”, a hidden gem that included several bands I already knew though. Suddenly, the cover of “Halloween” started playing, performed by a band I’d never heard of: Dark Moor. What struck me most, besides the musicians’ mastery, was the impressive voice of a girl who sang with all the fire and passion of a true metal warrior. Later, I learned her name: Elisa Martín, an incredible Spanish vocalist who fronted the band.
So I became a fan of her and of the four albums she participated in: Shadowland (1999), The Hall of The Olden Dreams (2000), The Fall of Melnibone (2001), and The Gates of Oblivion (2002). But Elisa’s story with Dark Moor couldn’t continue and they split up in 2003, which in a way extinguished the dream of seeing them live someday.
Until 2025… when I learnt that she would play live for the first time in Chile.
So guys, dreams come true!
My beloved warrior, the great Elisa Martin, graced the stage at RBX on June 21st, opening an unforgettable evening. Later, she welcomed Tete Novoa, former Saratoga frontman, who gave a top-notch performance, covering his entire discography.
I didn’t go to see Tete, though the setlist he presented was a total killer. From Saratoga; Vayamos a Mas, A Tu Luz, Parte de Ti and El Circo de La Vida. From Novoa; Inmortal, Solo, Fuego Cruzado, Efímera, Techos de Cristal and Ahora Eres Tú. Then it was the turn of his support band covering Beat It by Michael Jackson. Angeles del Infierno’s classic Maldito Sea Tu Nombre came after, in a dreamed duet with Elisa Martin, along with Seremos Tu y Yo and finally the song Sin Saber Nadar. All these songs were chanted and cheered by a frenetic audience grateful to Tete for putting on a top-notch show.
Now let’s go back to Elisa, the warrior of fire, and let’s delve into what happened—and what I experienced—that magical night.
Just after 7:45 p.m., Sala RBX stage began to shake, thanks to the incendiary power of the brilliant and talented Neogenesis, the Chilean band that masterfully supported Elisa. Suddenly, the intense intro to Dies Irae, an original song by Dark Moor, began to play, sending the audience—and me, of course—erupting with euphoria, so much so that I almost burst into tears of emotion. There were many of us singing along to this anthem, many of us jumping, raising our fists, and headbanging, while Elisa performed flawlessly, with the same powerful voice that captivated me almost 20 years ago.
After Dies Irae, that sounded like a blow to my heart, bringing me back cherished memories, the queen revisited different stages of her career. This first setlist included songs from three of her most important projects. From Dreamtale; Carry On, Take Off, No Fear, and Forever. From Hamka; Earth’s Call, and The Winner. The set was completed with Fairyland’s The Fellowship. All these were frantically received in a ritual where the energy transmitted by Elisa was that of ten suns shining together at noon.
What a wonderful artist she is, full of charm, good vibes, and overwhelming humility!
So much so that Elisa left the stage where she reigned, to give Neogenesis the opportunity to present their music. And boy did they surprise, not only with their incredible anthem of the most visceral and sincere power metal, “Alas de Libertad,” (Wings of Freedom). In addition, the performance of their vocalist, Daniel Sandoval, left me speechless, euphoric. What a sparkling voice this man has, brutal! Although to be fair, Javier, Richie, Daniel, Patricio, and Marcelo are all killer maestros, gifted with explosive talent and passion, which infected everyone there.
What followed next was what I had dreamed of for so long, even though it was far too brief. Elisa Martin presented a wonderful, mind-blowing medley featuring some of the classic tracks she performed with Dark Moor. I cried, cried, cried!
However, Elisa introduced this moment with a heartfelt reflection on how difficult it was for her to leave Dark Moor, due to disagreements, ego issues, and other nonsense, and how her love for metal and her fans were the driving force behind her life after that tough time. Then came this wonderful mosaic that included portions of Somewhere in Dreams, A New World, Silverlake, Beyond the Fire, Nevermore, The Night of the Edge, Maid of Orleans, and Quest for the Eternal Fame, closing out this incendiary medley.
Original photos available on here
But the Warrior didn’t stop there. No, sir! Elisa took the flag with her hand-painted logo, given to her at some point of the concert, and stepped off the stage to perform a cover of Buddy Richard’s classic called “Tu Cariño Se Me Va.” Elisa joined us in a huge, energetic hug, worthy of anthology, demonstrating why she got the nickname of the Warrior. It’s not just because she fights; Elisa Martin summons, infecting everyone with her inexhaustible energy, and inspiring profound respect and admiration in all those around her.
Then came the moment of Meet and Greet after Tete’s show, and I managed to enter. In an unexpected twist of fate, I was given a meet and greet pass that came “thanks to karma returning all the love you give to metal,” as someone told me when I recounted this wonderful odyssey. There was Elisa Martin, still with the Chilean flag draped over her shoulders. I hugged her tight and she did likewise, I told her a little about myself and how her voice and music have saved me so many times. When the world seemed too heavy, when it seemed like the light was about to go out inside my soul, she was there, the endearing Warrior, cheering me on from a distance, without even knowing I existed. And so she has also saved and encouraged all her fans, pushing us to pursue and live our dreams, to never give up, and to embrace the strong wings of metal as a banner of life.
The night of June 21st wasn’t just a concert. It was a celebration, a celebration of metal as a life force. And it was also an intimate ritual between a wonderful artist and her people—Elisa Martin, the Warrior, and her comrades in arms. She didn’t just sing; she shook us to the core, filled us with her rebellious and luminous spirit, the kind that transcends time when you love metal.
And the fact that we could see her on stage, feel her voice vibrate in our chests, hug her, and thank her face to face, was an act of justice for those of us who have followed her for decades. Because there are concerts that entertain you, where you have a good time, and that’s it. And there are others, like Elisa Martin’s at Sala RBX, that will remain in your DNA forever. Elisa Martin keeps on shining, inspiring and guiding with her voice, her truth, and that generous and enormous heart of hers, worthy of a brave Warrior.
Thank you, Elisa. For so much. For everything.
Pictures by Manuel Cabezas – Power of Metal Zine
Elisa Martin
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Tete Novoa
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