SUBTERRA

Another inclusion in the growing Neo/Symphonic Prog scene from South America, Subterra from Santiago, Chile, were formed in 1996, influenced by the music of MARILLION and FISH.After two years and many line-up changes a solid core was established around singer Maximiliano Sanchez, guitarists Leonardo Basso and Gonzalo Sanchez, keyboardist Claudio Momberg, bassist Andres Saavedra and drummer Paul Perich.Starting from gigs in local pubs and clubs, Subterra soon played live next to acts such as Pendragon, Arena, IQ and Jadis, followed by another memorable gig at the Baja Prog festival in 2001.It was the year the band officially made their debut with the album ''Sombras de Invierno''.

Subterra belong to the heavier side of Neo Prog with a sound close to ARENA or later PENDRAGON, colored by a huge symphonic sound coming out of Claudio Momberg's keyboards.The compositions are based on impressive and angular guitar riffs, very sharp synthesizers and well-performed vocal lines (lyrics come in Spanish), with all these elements producing an excellent dramatic atmosphere.But, as with any good Neo Prog act, Leonardo Basso and Gonzalo Sanchez offer also plenty of melodic guitar solos, while there is enough space for virtuosic individual performances and instrumental textures.The longer pieces seem to be the more interesting ones with great changes between downtempo themes with hypnotic guitars and soft piano lines and bombastic symphonic movements with grandiose keyboards and heavy sounding guitars.There is even some discreet organ parts to be found in a couple of tracks, nicely adapted to the general style.Very good balance between melodic moments and groovy passages maintain the superb atmosphere captured by the band throughout the whole release.

An excellent suprise indeed.Bombastic, melodic, demanding and atmospheric Neo/Symphonic Prog all the way by a young band ready to give some lessons how this style should be played.Highly recommended.

Of course the name "SUBTERRA" immediately rings a bell for most neo-progressive rock lovers. Indeed, IQ's studio album from 1997 was called "Subterranea". So it is quite easy to "guess" by which bands SUBTERRA was mainly influenced. IQ, the "old" Marillion and probably even a bit by GENESIS (Peter Gabriel era).

"Sombras De Invierno" is a good debut album. Maybe not to everyone's liking, but if you like IQ, Marillion and the "old" Genesis and you don't mind listening to Spanish vocals you should definitely check them out! Music styles on this album vary from emotional ballads to more up-tempo tracks with nice howling guitars and abundant keyboards.

3.5 stars

After enjoying their first album "Sombras" I had very high expectations regarding this second one. My expectations were not fulfilled at all. It is hard to believe and understand how a talented band like this, who were able to produce one of the best 2001 Neoprog albums, after five long years were not able to create an album that at least would have equaled its predecessor in terms of quality. Everything that I loved about their first album, those majestic Mark Kelly's keyboards, the greatness of Cermenatti, the precise and great arrangements, complex and outstanding compositions completely dissapeared. Truly there is nothing good about this album. Listened to it three times, trying to find something that could attract me, but all I got was a strong desire of pressing the Stop button and throw this album away. The keyboards, one of Subterra's strengths plays a completely secondary role throughout this record, where a terrible guitar replaces it. The songs gave me the impression like they were created the day before. Forget about any complex song, or don't expect surprises throughout them. No rythm changes at all. The structure of songs is very linear a terrible guitar with a senseless keyboard background. Terrible.The band will not surprise you at all. Everything is completely predictable. No creativity at all, essential for any progressive musician. The vocals, well I had my doubts about the vocalist talent in the first album, but the music was so great that this perception became a minor problem that did not affect the integral quality of the album. Now, this terrible music helps increasing my previous perception. Terrible vocals. A short glimpse of what these guys could have done is track 6 "Mordaza". The first album Subterra appears, and is the only highlight of this mediocre album. Why didn't they follow that path?? Just because of this track, that I will rate the album 1,5.....OK 2 stars. If they keep producing albums like this I don't predict a very long career for this talented musicians. Fortunately, the talent is there and exists. Hope they will find the way before recording their next album.

Well if you don`t mind spanish singing and you miss Mark kelly`s keys in the old Marillion, Subterra will be perfect for you.This album along with Grains of Sand of Clepsydra are for me the two best neo prog rock cd`s that you could find if you exclude the big names like Arena,Pendragon and Iq.They are just perfect with no weak moments at all,bombastic most of the time on the album they just find the right time to give you a guitar solo like in Primavera de Praga and many keyboards passages.Sobre los rieles is by far the strongest song of Sombras de Invierno.Until the next one you could check Chaneton another good band from South America.

Sometimes, I think that neo progressive style is a sort of easy listening prog music, with many cliches, plastic sounds and even some commercial feeling. But this point of view doesn't mean that ALL neo prog bands do uninteresting or uneven music.

BTW, "Sombras de Invierno" is an enjoyable neo prog album. Influenced by bands like IQ, ARENA or MARILLION (and even DREAM THEATER in the heavy song "Mantis"), SUBTERRA made a high level effort, combining good melancholic melodies and professional interpretations. I like, specially, the very dramatic vocalist style (he sings in Spanish).

The highlights are the instrumental opening track "Presagio", the nice and soft ballad "Cada Mil Años" and the two longest pieces "Sobre los Rieles" and "Cetrementti", while the rest is good and homogeneous. A recommended neo prog album from Chile.