The internal war of the Wizard of Oz: judgments, damages and a door slam to reunite the original group

The internal conflict within Mägo de Oz has reached a significant legal milestone, as recent court rulings have determined that the band's founding members, drummer Txus and violinist Moha, must pay former guitarists Carlitos and Frank a total of 33,000 euros each. This decision comes after years of legal battles and disputes over contractual obligations following the departure of the two guitarists from the group in early 2020. The case highlights the complex dynamics between the band’s founders and its former members, revealing a long-standing tension that has now culminated in formal legal action.

Founded in May 1989 in the Madrid neighborhood of Begoña by Txus (Jesús María Hernández) and Moha (Carlos Prieto), Mägo de Oz began its journey with initial rehearsals in a community center in Fuencarral. Their first album, released in 1994, marked the beginning of their rise to prominence in Spanish heavy metal. Juan Carlos Marín, known as Carlitos, joined the band as a guitarist shortly thereafter, participating in a concert in Seville two years before the release of their debut record. Francisco Javier Gómez de la Serna, referred to as Frank, later joined as the second guitarist ahead of the band's second album, *Jesús de Chamberí*, which was released in 1996 with José Andrés as the vocalist.

Over the years, Mägo de Oz became one of Spain's most influential heavy metal bands, selling more than three million records both domestically and internationally. Their success brought them into the mainstream media and commercial radio, setting them apart from other pioneers of the genre such as Barón Rojo, Ángeles del Infierno, and Panzer. However, this period of growth also saw internal challenges, including the departure of José Andrés in 2011. Carlitos and Frank followed suit in February 2020, forming a new group called Runa Llena.

According to legal documents obtained by *elDiario.es*, the departure of Carlitos and Frank was formalized through a contract signed in 2020. Under the terms of this agreement, the two guitarists would relinquish their rights to the brand name, their share in the company "Mago de Oz Espectáculos SL," and receive compensation totaling 53,000 euros each, paid in installments throughout 2020. However, Frank and Carlitos filed a lawsuit a year later, seeking the remaining 33,000 euros per person, claiming that Txus and Moha had failed to meet these financial commitments.

In response, Txus and Moha filed a counterclaim, alleging that Carlitos and Frank had violated the terms of the contract by not visiting a notary to formally renounce their shares in the company. Additionally, they accused the former guitarists of establishing a new entity called "Los Magos Entertainment." They also cited the impact of the global pandemic in 2020, which forced the cancellation of a planned world tour and allegedly hindered their ability to fulfill the financial obligations outlined in the contract.

Despite these arguments, both a lower court and the Provincial Court of Madrid ruled in favor of Frank and Carlitos, recognizing their right to claim the outstanding amounts along with accrued interest over the past six years. These decisions were appealed to the Supreme Court's Civil Division, pending further proceedings. Both courts emphasized that the 2020 contract remains valid and that the economic effects of the pandemic should not prevent the current leaders of Mägo de Oz from fulfilling their financial responsibilities.

The legal dispute underscores the intricate relationship between the band's founders and its former members, reflecting broader issues of legacy, financial responsibility, and artistic continuity. While the legal battle continues, it has also raised questions about the future of Mägo de Oz itself. Despite the ongoing litigation, the band's leadership has made it clear that there are no plans to reunite the original lineup, indicating a definitive break from the past. As the case moves forward, the outcome will likely shape not only the financial landscape of the band but also its future direction and relationships with former members.