The man behind this band is Juan Carlos Mangialavore. Of italian descent, he is called Olaf, after "Olaf el vikingo" from the cartoon (english name "Hagar the horrible"). He started end of the 70s with the band Lulu, who made one 45 RPM single. They made typical Rock of this time, and painted their faces very primitive in the KISS style.

In the 80s he played in RAYO X (one album 1983 in 2 different versions), and later founded with his brother CHYCLE (Bubble gum) ! The first name was Aguilas Negras (Black eagles), but the record company asked for something more "normal", so why not bubbel gum !? They made 2 albums from 1986 till 1989. This was all unexciting Hard Rock. But 1990 saw the birth of El Dragon, and the album in 1991 was real great steam hammer Metal. Together with his brother again, and bass player Cito Vitulli they had this unique style of powerful Metal with a Hammond organ. The cover is a masterpiece of dragon artwork (like all following releases).

Lulu EP from the 70s The Metal press in the country is not very fond of them, but they have a big fan following. This is no wonder, as they tour very much, and are the only ones who visit the countryside regularly and have played from the tropical north till the polar south of the country. Olaf supports also very much the underground, and released records on his "Megaton" label. His METAL ARGENTINO Double LP compilation is the only release with bands from the interior. The second album of El Dragon had to wait till 1994, and the last release needed again a long time. They are in the same powerful style, but more straight forward, without the organ. The brother had left in 1995, and Hugo Morales from the band UZI (that made one CD) joined. In 1997 the bass player left, and Hugo had to switch to the bass. The economic desaster in the country had an impact on many bands, and EL DRAGON needed till 2005, till a new album was released. This contains 3 new songs in the fast and stomping style, and 2 unreleased songs from 1994. The rest is a "best of" from the other 3 albums, for the celebration of the 15th anniversary. The lyrics of the 3 new songs are hymns with typical Olaf style nationalistic and metallic notes.

The first record is already very rare, and also the CD version. The second CD is rare with the original thick booklet! In 2001 was a re release of only 150 copies of the first and second CD. They only have a thin 4 pages booklet. In 2003 the brazilian label "Dies Irae" released the first album as an Picture LP, and the other 2 will may be follow as regular LPs (all with 4 page inserts, numbered and with "Obi" strip) !

The "Asados" (Barbecues) of Olaf are very famous, where he uses very much of the hot local spice "Chimmi Churri". The honour title of Olaf is :
Comandante Olaf, jefe supremo de las tropas metalicas Argentina (Commander Olaf, supreme chefe of the argentinian Metal Forces).

They have now finally a homepage, but it contains in the beginning of 2006 only the cover of the last CD ! But may be they fill it soon !?

Source : http://www.metaleros.de/countries/argentina/el_dragon.html