BLUE MAMMOTH

One of the rare examples of Brazilian neo-prog, BLUE MAMMOTH got its start in 2009 as a chance chemistry ignited between bassist Julian Quildran and keyboardist Andrew Micheli who both envisioned playing in a progressive rock band looking more towards jolly old England than anything remotely homegrown in the land of samba, bossa nova or tropicalia. After forging a collective passion for the heavier style of neo-prog that had been gestating in the naughties from the likes of Arena and Pendragon, the duo attracted the talent of guitarist Andre Lupac and drummer Thiago Meyer and thus BLUE MAMMOTH was born. While technically still in action at the current date, the band has so far only released this 2011 self-titled debut and "Stories Of A King" in 2016.

This debut features 14 separate tracks which are in reality for the most part suites in larger connective companions. Three suites and three separate tracks make up this debut of nearly 64 minutes and showcases the band's mix of old school symphonic prog and keyboard driven neo-prog along with the heavier world of hard rock. Eschewing any Brazilian sounds or connections, the band's lyrics are completely in English and the music really does sound as if it was constructed by a band from an English speaking nation. Laced with intricate piano runs and layers of atmospheric keyboard heft, BLUE MAMMOTH very much retains the sounds of classic neo-prog but also delivers it all in a unique fashion with especially in the vocal department of Andre Micheli who sounds rather distinct in the world of neo-prog.

BLUE MAMMOTH delivers the standard affair of melodic prog runs that mix the world of Floydian space rock with the tried and truth established neo-prog format established by the British royalty of the genre. Lots of piano, heavy synth action, melodic motifs that run their course and then shift into longer variations along with extra rockin' guitar heft, bass grooves and percussive drive. Like any suite styled compositions there are lots of excursions into keyboard soloing and extended playtime that allows certain ideas to spiral off into myriad directions. The occasional use of cello and flute offers a few extra touches and the dynamics are well proportioned to allow build ups of tension to climax in heavier moments of resolution. The album is very symphonic with loads of contrapuntal keyboard effects layered upon the other and the band definitely will remind you of classic Genesis in its compositional approach as well as the vocals somewhat reminiscent of Peter Gabriel.

Overall BLUE MAMMOTH delivered a competent debut although a bit neo-by-the-numbers type of prog for my liking. It's a pleasant album that even excels slightly above average but also lacks enough palatable ideas to make an hour's run of the music compelling enough to sit through. The album begins to feel recycled about halfway through as the piano runs, cadences and motifs all start to sound as if they are set to auto-pilot. While the creativity isn't firing on full pistons on this debut, the musicianship certainly is and all the members perform the tasks at hand very proficiently not to mention that the album features an exquisite production and mixing job for such a heavily layered project of sound. In the end it's not a bad effort at all but it's also the kind of neo-prog that just doesn't deliver enough grit and unexpected twists and turns to get me really excited. Add to that the melodies and hooks aren't are addictive as i'd like given that is the feature that most sets neo-prog apart from many other prog genres. A noble effort but not a classic by any means.