Interview #1 – Loud Solution: The Revival of ’80s Hard Rock from Chile

Loud Solution: The Revival of ’80s Hard Rock from Chile

From Santiago, Chile, Loud Solution stands out as one of the most promising acts in today’s Hard Rock/AOR scene. Strongly influenced by the golden era of the ’80s, the band led by Ignacio Ruiz blends powerful riffs, memorable harmonies, and modern production, positioning themselves as emerging representatives of the genre in Latin America.

Following the release of their album Throwback and singles like Guilty Again and The Last Time, the band continues to build a solid, nostalgic yet contemporary sound. Their growth is also evident on stage, having opened for Finnish rock band Reckless Love in Santiago—an experience that pushed them into an international-level performance environment.

In this interview, they share more about their music, evolution, and what lies ahead.

Interview with Loud Solution

1. For those who are not familiar with you yet, how would you describe Loud Solution in a few words?

We’re an anachronistic, nostalgic band, yet innovative at the same time. We bring the best of the ’80s into the present but with a modern, updated twist, reviving the “clichés” we love most about the hard rock of that era—both musically and visually.

2. Your sound clearly reflects ’80s Hard Rock/AOR influences. Which bands or artists shaped your musical identity?

It’s very interesting because everyone in the band has their own diverse musical tastes and influences, which come together in what we express as a band. To name a few of the most important influences within hard rock and AOR: Journey, Europe, Whitesnake, Van Halen, Starship, Survivor, among others.

3. How did Loud Solution start, and what was the original vision behind the band?

It started as my personal project (Ignacio); about 20 years ago, when I was a teenager, I already really liked 80s hard rock, more specifically glam/hair metal. I remember thinking, “I don’t think I’m the only person of this generation who likes this music.” One day, after searching and searching, I found “sleaze,” which was at its peak back then. Bands like Crashdiet, Vains of Jenna, and Dirty Penny changed my perspective and motivated me to create Loud Solution, which in its early days had a direct focus on sleaze rather than more classic ’80s hard rock. I think that with our latest singles, like “Guilty Again” and “The Last Time,” the band has returned to some of its roots.

4. Your album Throwback was a key release. What did that record mean for the band?

It was definitely a turning point for the band—a sudden new beginning after we reformed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Back then, I recorded a demo EP called “Revival,” alluding to Loud Solution’s rebirth. Building on that, new members joined to make the band more solid and up-to-date, and that’s how “Throwback” came to be. It was one of those moments when the stars aligned, and everything led us to move quickly with our album: an international release, an album distributed under the Danish label Lion’s Pride Music, and a physical CD manufactured in Germany. All at once! That catapulted us at the time to play at various venues, landing some very important gigs.

5. You’ve evolved into a heavier and more polished sound with tracks like Guilty Again and The Last Time. How would you describe this new phase?

As I mentioned earlier, our latest singles “Guilty Again” and “The Last Time” revisit Loud Solution’s original roots to some extent—a sound that’s perhaps not quite as “80s,” with hints of sleaze, yet still maintaining that polished and melodic quality; that’s our trademark and identity. It’s worth noting that these latest releases feature our current vocalist, Tavo Escudero, who adds some “heavier” nuances to our sound—it’s a constant evolution.

6. What is your songwriting process like as a band?

The songwriting process varies from song to song, to be honest—there’s no “formula.” The Throwback album was mainly written by me, evolving from the demo EP I initially recorded. More recently, Cris (our other guitarist and my cousin) and I have been handling most of the songwriting together. We come up with the ideas, then we all work together to polish and record the tracks.

7. Guitar harmonies and melodic choruses are essential to your sound. How important is that balance for you?

I’m glad you noticed! Those harmonies and “interplay” between the guitars are absolutely crucial to us. In Loud Solution, we have two “lead guitars”—neither one takes precedence over the other. Sometimes one stands out more in a song, sometimes the other, but we always strive for balance in the end. That’s where other influences we have from heavy metal come through, like Iron Maiden or Judas Priest, with their constant harmonies and riffs.

8. You had the opportunity to open for international acts like Reckless Love in Santiago. How was that experience and what did you take from it?

Opening for Reckless Love has undoubtedly been one of the band’s most important milestones. Personally, as a band I’ve followed since I was a teenager, opening for them was a dream come true. At the same time, it was a huge challenge; at that moment, we put ourselves out there and introduced ourselves to an audience that didn’t know us. Reckless Love had the crowd buzzing with anticipation, and we were definitely on the right track—we were very well received, got a lot of support from the crowd, and gained new fans. It’s an experience we always remember with pride and fondness.

9. You’ve also been active on stage recently, including shows like the one at Bar de René. How has the audience response been?

The audience is always great; we have our loyal fans who are always there to support us, but we’re also pleasantly surprised by how people seeing us live for the first time are captivated by Loud Solution. Often, these are people who come to see other bands and end up following us too. We’re truly grateful for the support at every show, even from those we don’t know.

10. How do you see the current Hard Rock scene in Chile, Latin America, and internationally?

Hard rock will never die. Years may pass, it may evolve, it may fade into the background, but it will always be there. Even though it doesn’t enjoy the massive popularity it had in the ’70s or ’80s, it’s still very much alive, and its dedicated “niche” fanbase is incredibly loyal—it’s a community that spans all ages and countries.

11. What challenges have you faced as an independent band within the genre?

Without a doubt, the hardest part has been making ourselves known. Just as it’s easier to get noticed on social media today—and easier for everyone—there’s a lot of competition to stand out from the crowd. We believe that’s the key: our added value as a band, our unique identity that allows us to shine on our own merits among so many great new bands out there today.

12. How important do you think independent media platforms like Glam Hard Rock are for promoting Hard Rock today?

These types of platforms are great within the niche; those who love hard rock will seek out hard rock, and what better place to find it than on these platforms and specialized media outlets. Thank you very much, Glam Hard/Rock, for the opportunity.

13. What can fans expect from Loud Solution in the short and medium term?

We can’t say much at the moment, but we plan to expand beyond our borders. In addition to new music, stay tuned—there will be surprises when you least expect them.

14. Are there any plans for new tours, releases, or collaborations?

In line with that, we’d like to play at venues we’ve never performed at before; we hope to surprise you soon.

15. If you had to define Loud Solution in one word, what would it be and why?

“Unique”—no matter how much we mix styles, bring back nostalgia, or incorporate modern sounds, there’s no other band that sounds like us—not in terms of quality, but in terms of our signature sound and identity.

CLOSING

As the first interview of this new editorial stage, Loud Solution sets the tone: a band with identity, a clear vision, and international projection. Their blend of nostalgia and modernity—backed by live experience alongside acts like Reckless Love—proves that Hard Rock is not only alive, but evolving… and that Latin America has a strong voice in it.