LIVING FOSSILS

It's almost 10 years ago that this overlooked Latin-American prog gem was reviewed for the last time. On this album from 2006 William Gray is a five piece formation, supported by a wide range of guest musicians. The 16 tracks capture the story about a young man named Virgilio, he is walking on the streets of Buenos Aires and lives between sane and insanity. His life is an emotional rollercoaster and that is musically translated in a very captivating way, what an interesting, varied and dynamic music!

The one moment sumptuous Heavy Prog with Hammond and harder-edged guitar or bombastic church-organ. The other moment dreamy with Grand piano and violin, or folky with acoustic guitar and pleasant English vocals.

My highlights.

Lots of dynamics in Darkest Side, embellished with heavy guitar, orchestral keyboards, melancholical violin work, and in the end a slow rhythm with intense electric guitar and violin.

Cascades of changing atmospheres and strong musical ideas with bombastic interplay between Hammond and heavy guitar, blended with sparkling classical piano and heavy guitar runs in the exciting track Fading Points.

More excellent and varied prog in Urban Battle II. After a church-organ intro the climate shifts to compelling with fat guitar riffs and powerful Hammond waves, along fiery guitar runs. The parts with dreamy piano, violin and the distinctive bandoneon turn the music into a very captivating experience.

And then the compelling and exciting composition entitled Urban Battle III with Heavy Prog featuring awesome work on keyboards (from Hammond and Mellotron to a church organ sound), fuelled by thunderous drums.

The final track is a tango version of Urban Battle I, I got goose bumps from the wonderful climate with piano and bandoneon, very moving, with that typical melancholical undertone, unique prog from Argentina!