el diablo de shanghai is a band from Barcelona formed around 2019. Their proposal alternates indie rock and alternative rock, with instrumentation based on two electric guitars, bass and drums, and song structures focused on melody and rhythmic work, with a very characteristic voice that goes from spoken-word to scream. The project is structured around the compositions of Juan Carácter and the collaboration of the rest of the band members: Juana (guitar), Albert (guitar), Víctor (bass) and Iñaki (drums).
Their discography began with several singles that culminated in the EP "Let’s start with this…" in 2020 and continued with the EP "…/ We End Everything" in 2021.
In 2023 they published their first full-length album, "113 Steps Forward in the Ensanche"which consolidated its presence in the state independent circuit. Among its songs, “Patti Smith” takes explicit reference to the American artist and speaks of the artist’s concerns, while “Tabaco” develops a simple and addictive harmonic progression with a defined chorus, and "Boviscopofia" shows the artist’s frustrations and criticism of the triviality of the scene "indie" state, especially the Madrid one.
In 2026 they released their second LP, "Testament"preceded by several singles that anticipated the direction of the album, three songs like "Step Strong" that speaks of nostalgia for a friendship, "On/Off" that talks about changing as a person and looking to the future, or "Money" that criticizes the importance of the economic and work to the detriment of the personal. The album in my opinion is one of the best of 2026 and has an incredible level, bringing the band closer to British sounds like Black Country, New Road, and with American influences like Parquet Courts, moving away (not much) from the garage and more punk sounds like IDLES that they showed on the first album.
The lyrics of El Diablo de Shanghai seem to me to be one of their strongest points, since they mix simple phrases with moments of poetry or more intellectual themes, and they have been able to create a style that is practically unique on the state scene.
Posted by bimbochungo