CARBONO 14

Exsimio is an instumental prog band from Chile. This is their second and last album to date, with which the band managed to be included in the most pleasant surprises in 2005. "Carbono 14" is a great album, evidently more mature and solid than their self-titled debut in 1999.

The characteristic of Exsimio's music is the leading role of bassist Carlos Pérez. All compositions are based on the rhythm section and, strange as it may sound, this does not work against the final result. On the contrary, the level of musicianship is very high and the rhythm changes, which are never-ending throughout the album, are at many points brethtaking.

The three songs with lyrics ("El Juicio II", "Haploide" and "2012") mainly focus on world economical policy and the consequences of ecological disturbance caused by humans. I 'd say that "2012" is my favourite among these, but the best moments in this album are not Pérez's narrations. The pounding bass lines and intese drumming in "Esquizofrenia", the heavy constant riffing in "Eugenesia" are magnificent. Most of all everything that happens in the title-track portrays what Exsimio stand for: creative and innovative progressive music, and more specifically, something like metal influenced King Crimson.

Recommended to all fans of adventurous instrumental prog.