INDÍGENA

MAR DE ROBLES have become my favourite band from Chile, and that's saying something considering how many bands I really like from this country. After their amazing debut they have come out with "Indigena" which in my opinion is even better. I completely agree with Fran's comments in his excellent review. These guys actually create a sound that could be called Heavy-Prog because it has a ton of bottom end, but the sax and flute really make this music special. Oh, and once again there are no keyboards. I would be foolish not to mention the lead guitarist who offers up a nice variety of styles, and can absolutely shred when he wants to.

"Chucaro" opens with some outstanding bass as drums pound and sax plays over top. Guitar starts to add some fire in this uptempo gem.This sounds so good. Check out the guitar 2 1/2 minutes in ! Flute 4 minutes in sounds so cool as the tempo continues to shift. The sax is back before 7 minutes. "X_2004" features drums, bass and some great sax work. The guitar comes in with some blistering melodies. It becomes spacey as sax plays after 2 minutes. Nice bass lines after 3 1/2 minutes as vocals come in briefly. "Perimontu" is a little more relaxed as gentle guitar and bass are joined by flute. Drums and bass become prominant. The sound sort of fades in and out then flute returns. Lots of atmosphere. "Rancagua Nocturno" opens with atmospheric guitar as bass comes in. It picks up as flute arrives a minute in. Great sound. Percussion a minute later followed by some aggressive guitar and sax. The best part might be when the bass solo before 4 minutes is followed by some killer guitar. It becomes atmospheric after 5 minutes. Nice. Beautiful sax melodies follow. What a song ! "Aborigen" opens with a heavy soundscape as angular guitar solos over top. It lightens some as sax comes in before it gets heavy again. I love the rhythm after 2 minutes. Native chanting before 3 minutes before the guitar rips it up.

"Sobreviviente" takes a minute to kick in but man when it does it's a wall of sound. A change after 2 minutes as we get some atmosphere. A psychedelic climate arrives as flute plays. It's loud again before 4 minutes and check out the guitar ! "Chileneos" has a dark intro as sax comes blasting in with heavy bass. The tempo picks up after 3 minutes as the guitar makes some noise and vocals come in. It gets really heavy before 4 1/2 minutes. A calm follows. Heavy drums end that a minute later as the guitar fills the soundscape with metal. I like when bands have a song named after themselves. "Mar De Robles" is a good example of the bands strengths. Heavy bass and drums with scorching guitar. Flute and sax later. Excellent track. "Ubuntu" opens with atmospheric guitar as sax comes in. Amazing sound ! It gets heavy duty sounding as bass and drums provide a ton of bottom end as sax continues. You have to hear this ! Flute 4 1/2 minutes in.

This is all just perfect for my taste in music.