REQUIEM

Through the decades "Ñu" has been rather faithful to its hard-rock oriented music. The difference between this band and others hard-rock ones is the use of the flute which automatically brings you in the Tull territories. Their "unplugged" live effort "La Noche del Juglar" is an extraordinary example for this.

The opening number "Mazmorra" is quite a different song. It starts on a great and fully prog "overture". I have never heard "Ñu" like this. Almost a symphony. Beautiful flute and aerial keys. A wonderful start. It sounds at times like ELP (yes, pompous) and it blew me from the very first seconds I was listening to it. The beat finally catches up (this is still "Ñu", right) ? and delivers a fantastic hard-rocking second half. Great start.

The problem now would be to be on par after such a great number. But, unfortunately the couple of songs that follow are on the heavy side even if a nice flute interlude will bring a bit of freshness during "Aramundi".

"Gracias" is a very strange track. A weird combination of punk background with some flute during the intro. What a mix ! This wild song is the result of several musical influences : some Oriental ones, hard-rocking ones as well. The use of violin gives a certain "Kansas" flavour to it. This song is quite complex and weird; hard to categorize. But interesting.

Middle-East sounds seem to have deeply marked Carlos Molina ("Ñu" 's leader) because the intro of "Sacrificio" is largely impregnated by this culture. But it is globally another hard-rock song with added subtlety as usual (violin and flute). The backing riff sounds almost as a "Dream Theatre" one.

The whole mood of this album is too similar and after the first half, one gets a bit tired. Each songs features a great part (just listen this beautiful guitar solo during "Dagas" or "Entrega Romántica"). But these are too short IMO.

But there will be "Hada" (fairy). A wonderful piece of music. Almost a rock-opera on his own. Delicate flute, pompous and strong sections as well (like in the opening number), a fully Tullesque orientation later on. The so typical Martin Barre's riffs can easily be identified in this song. Very pleasant vocals as well (which is not always the case since Molina often opts for a too theatrical style).

"Hada" is the longest "Ñu" number. But I have to to say that not a second of these ten minutes are boring. Very much "This As A Brick" oriented. Since it is one of my Tull fave, I could only be pleased. A great song, trust me. The finale and its great guitar solo is just fabulous. A five star piece of work. It raises the level of this album; no doubt about that. I only wished I could upload this song to share it with you.

The third very good song is the closing number. "La Boca Del Infierno" is good damned hard-rock song. Almost Purple-ish. Fabulous beat, great guitar solo and heavy keys.

This album is more directed towards the hard-rock fans. But except in Spain, this band has very little (to none) exposure. Extremely few reviews with a comment on PA. But since the prog elements in their entire history are not so many, I guess it is all logical. In Spain, the band is classified as metal...

"Ñu" will continue its career and will release another studio album in 2003 called "Títeres" (puppets). In an interview, during which Carlos Molina was asked about his expectations, he simply replied "I hope to be able to play it live and that "Ñu" will live for another thirty year". A heck of an enthusiast, this guy !

Three stars for "Requiem" but mostly due to "Mazmorra" and "Hada"; two great songs.