Origin: Spain
Formed: N/A
Genre: Power / Folk Metal
Status: Active
Label: Zaluster Producciones
Themes: Nature, Jugglers, Tolkien
MacAllister Project is a power/folk metal project from San Fernando (Andalusia), created and led by John MacAllister, former member of Saurom and one of the principal composers behind the iconic Saurom Lamderth track “Tom Bombadil.” His work in this project continues the tradition of blending fantasy‑driven storytelling with folk instrumentation, melodic metal, and a strong sense of theatricality. The project’s identity is deeply tied to themes of nature, mythic journeys, and the whimsical world of jugglers and wandering performers—elements that echo the early spirit of Saurom while carving out a distinct creative path.
The debut album Por amor al arte (2012) introduced MacAllister Project’s melodic and narrative‑rich style, combining power‑metal energy with acoustic textures, flutes, and folk‑inspired arrangements. This was followed by ProfecĂas de un nuevo mundo (2013), a more ambitious and expansive work that explored epic themes and showcased John MacAllister’s multi‑instrumental abilities. With Folklords (2017), the project leaned further into Celtic and medieval folk influences, offering a vibrant and uplifting sound filled with storytelling and fantastical imagery.
In 2018, Samadhi marked a more introspective and spiritual turn, blending folk metal with meditative atmospheres and lyrical themes centered on inner journeys and transcendence. The 2022 release Rarezas, maqueteos y otras movidas compiled demos, rarities, and experimental pieces, offering a behind‑the‑scenes look at the project’s evolution and creative process.
The year 2024 saw the release of two EPs—El viaje del hĂ©roe and Are You Sure? Yes, I‑ha—each exploring different facets of the project’s sound, from heroic fantasy to playful folk‑rock experimentation. In 2025, the singles “Dr. Sueño & Ms. Hyde” and “Bailamos solos” continued to expand the project’s stylistic palette, blending folk metal with theatrical rock and narrative flair.
MacAllister Project stands as a personal, imaginative, and musically rich endeavor, driven by John MacAllister’s passion for storytelling, folklore, and melodic craftsmanship. With the addition of Frank MacAllister on violin, wind instruments, and keyboards, the project has developed a fuller and more dynamic folk‑metal identity, continuing to grow within the Spanish underground.
Current
Full‑length albums
EPs
Singles