By the mid-1980s, hard rock was at its peak, and amidst this electrifying era, TARZEN emerged as a powerful yet underrated force. Formed by the Peyronel brothers—Danny and Michel—alongside Salvador Dominguez and Ralph Hood, TARZEN fused the raw energy of AC/DC with the infectious hooks of classic hard rock. With a multinational lineup featuring members from Argentina, Spain, and England, the band had a unique cultural blend that added depth and identity to their sound.
Brothers Michel and Danny Peyronel were born a few years apart in Buenos Aires, Argentina. As part of a military family, they moved frequently, spending their early years in Argentina and the United States, where they became fluent in both Spanish and English. During his late teenage years, Danny moved to England after spending a year at The Juilliard School in New York City. In 1973, he settled in London and became a founding member of HEAVY METAL KIDS.
The band released two albums and toured both Europe and the US before Danny departed in 1975 to join Pete Way, Andy Parker, Phil Mogg, and Michael Schenker in UFO as the band’s first keyboardist, also contributing backing vocals. Danny played a key role in shaping the band’s evolving musical direction, as heard on “No Heavy Petting” (Chrysalis, 1976)—a sound that persisted even after his departure. He later formed THE BLUE MAX, releasing their only album in 1978, and collaborated with his older brother Michel, who was living in France at the time, to produce the self-titled EP for Michel’s band, EXTRABALLE, in London. Michel went on to play on EXTRABALLE’s full-length album the following year before returning to Argentina, where he joined their friend Pappo—already a rock legend there—to form the band RIFF.
While Danny had already left his mark on the rock world, Michel had cemented his status as a rock icon in Latin America. Meanwhile, in Spain, an exceptional guitarist was also making waves in the rock scene. Salvador Dominguez released two solo albums in the late 1970s (“Banana” and “Recién Pinchado”), both on Polydor Records. He then joined Miguel Ríos’s band for several releases before forming BANZAI, one of Spain’s top heavy metal bands in the early-to-mid 1980s. It was after this period that the Peyronel brothers met Salvador. Their musical chemistry was immediate, and soon they were jamming together. Songs began flowing naturally, even before they realized they had become a band. The undeniable connection between them led to the birth of TARZEN.
Danny then mentioned their new band to his good friend Nicko McBrain—yes, the legendary IRON MAIDEN drummer—who suggested they needed a bassist. Nicko had just the right person in mind: Ralph Hood, formerly of the recently disbanded British band GRAND PRIX. The group quickly flew Ralph to Madrid, and Nicko’s instinct was spot on—Ralph was the perfect fit. Within a week, they were already in the studio, recording their first four songs.
The chemistry between these four musicians was undeniable. The result was TARZEN—a hard rock juggernaut with an international edge. After recording a demo in Madrid, Danny flew to London and played it for Phil Carson, the head of Atlantic Records UK. Carson, who had signed AC/DC a decade earlier, was blown away by TARZEN’s sound—especially Jeffrey Lake’s Bon Scott-like vocals. Seeing enormous potential, he signed them to ATCO Records (a subsidiary of Atlantic) under his newly established Valentino Records division, which had also signed acts like John Miles and THE FORCE.
The band then entered Jimmy Page’s Sol Studios to record their debut album, produced by Carlos Olms and engineered by Stuart Epps—who had previously worked with bands like TWISTED SISTER and VANDENBERG, as well as on Jimmy Page’s latest project with THE FIRM. Originally self-titled but later renamed “Taboo”, the album was a high-voltage explosion of raw rock energy. From the opening notes of the title track, “Taboo”, the album made its intent clear: hard-hitting riffs, powerful vocals, and relentless rhythm. “Pack Rules” and “Running With the Wrong Guys” exuded pure rock adrenaline, while “Jungle Muscle” brought a bluesy swagger reminiscent of AEROSMITH’s grittier moments. “The Hills Have Eyes” featured an anthemic, early DEF LEPPARD-style chorus, striking a perfect balance between melody and power.
“Shout That Name” lived up to its title with chant-worthy hooks and electrifying riffs, while “Drum Talk” captured the breakneck energy of early AC/DC. “Tribal Man” closed the album with a hard-hitting finale, leaving listeners craving more. With their ability to blend rock ‘n’ roll attitude with technical proficiency, TARZEN created an album that should have been a breakout success.
To support the album, TARZEN joined TWISTED SISTER on a major US tour, playing massive stadiums alongside DOKKEN. Despite receiving fame, critical acclaim and MTV airplay, “Taboo” struggled to achieve mainstream success. The hard rock scene at the time was oversaturated, and although TARZEN had immense talent, they found themselves overshadowed by more established bands. Nonetheless, the album remains a hidden treasure—an electrifying record that embodies the spirit of an era when rock was loud, fast, and unapologetically fun. With its powerhouse vocals, searing guitars, and unrelenting energy, “Taboo” deserves to be rediscovered as one of the lost gems of 80s hard rock.
“Taboo” was re-released by Metallic Blue on March 21st on CD, remastered and featuring four bonus tracks.
Check the discussion about the album in our forum pages.
You can order the CD here.
