After seven years of playing in a heavy metal band in Mexico City, Rodrigo Sánchez and Gabriela Quintero called it quits and then some: they decided to leave México, altogether. Unlike many other Mexicans, the couple never considering the U.S. as a destination, opting instead for the greener pastures of Ireland – or, at least, its concrete sidewalks. After long stints performing on city corners, the now acoustic power guitar duo of Rodrigo y Gabriela landed the top spot in the Irish music charts with their self-titled second album.

Their growing international popularity is due in part to their roots as metaleros from Mexico City; live, they play a fusion of rock and flamenco including covers of Metallica and Led Zeppelin songs. But it's their original songs and their ability to make them larger than life without fireworks or lasers that is the driving force behind their success.

Traces of Slayer, Megadeth and other 80's thrash bands linger in much of Rodrigo y Gabriela’s original music but they might go unnoticed by the world music fans who pick up the pair's album at an organic food store. While the raw grandeur of metal still thunders underneath their tracks, the bare instrumentation of two accoustic guitars gives their performances an almost Latin ring.

The Mexican-Irish pair are currently touring the U.S. in support of their album and will finish the year with dates in the U.K. and Ireland.

Recommended: Listen to Rodrigo and Gabriela describe their journey on PRI's The World.