LOS DELIRIOS DEL MARISCAL

One of the best progressive albums to ever come out of Argentina (together with MIA - Cornonstipicum). Excellent musicianship, great amount of enthusiasm and energy, stunning playing and good sound underline the 5-star rating. Luckily, this is mainly an instrumental effort.

The album starts with the least strong piece containing also vocals. It doesn't blow away but set the minimum acceptance criteria for this highly over-average album. The title track is the most elaborate composition equally accessible to demanding and more straightforward prog fans. It has clear Focus/Finch signatures, emotional main motive and a lot of emotions with graduating tension. Keyboard layers and excellent guitar solo bring the main quality. Just when you think it will stay a calm song with repeated motive, the more energetic Rhodes driven passage with great synths/drums.

"Pollo frito" features explosive drumming, a lot of time signature changes, nice mellow quiet section, absolutely Finch-emotionally coloured guitar solo a la their second album. Shortly after mid-section, we have a furious fusion jam with keyboard/bass/guitar soloing and typical 70's American fusion drumming. "Abismo terrenal" is played in the same vein when it comes to drumming and soloing. This time, we have 12 minutes which is ample time for keyboard atmospheric synth solo, agressive and acrobatic guitar solo replaced by an emotional melodic guitar. Then come the less fitting bass and drum solos to stay fair. The end could have been better developed as it ends quite abruptly.

The bonus tracks are less essential as they are less elaborate. All in all, an essential prog-rock masterpiece.