PERSONA

Third studio album by multi-instrumentalist Alejandro Matos, "Persona" is quite daring in the progressive rock landscape, as well as in the artist's discography. The record consists in various heavy, depressive, tortured prog songs, including a few instrumentals, but wearing the clothes of 80's gothic rock / cold-wave. Kind of KING CRIMSON and ANEKDOTEN meet THE CURE and CLAN OF XYMOX. In 2006.

Pretty original and uncommon, the result works very well, creating a special melancholic, somber and claustrophobic atmosphere. Furthermore, the quality of the compositions is homogeneous and the music remains accessible.

This particular ambiance can be perceived from the very beginning of the disc. "Dos mil años de tierra" is a gloomy gothic lament, powerful and touching. The slow "El camino de la mala suerte" and its sinister bass seems like suspended in time, while "La plaza equivocada" is a paranoid and melancholic heavy prog title. The atmosphere is slightly but constantly shifting: mystical cold wave with "La justificación de los nuevos dientes", supported by its saturated guitar and organ, and depression with the piano rock "Pecado de pecar" and its Spanish tone. Longest track of the album, the dark heavy progressive "Guerra de silencios" alternates tortured and calmer passages. Beautiful, but a bit lengthy. The scission between the two halves is made via the spacey ambient interlude "Fracasos bajo fianza", well suited for an horror movie.

The somber eerie "Estatuas de agua" is a nice cold wave ballad turning surprisingly raging. Great! Darkness stays again with the lament "Teléfonos de negro" and its crying guitars, whereas the little jazzy "Gritos de mañana" possesses strange flangered sonorities. Back now to THE CURE's "Pornography" days with the icy gothic "Dormir", one of the best songs of the disc, prolonged by the cold wave and depressive tortured rock of "Las buenas razones del error" and "Maldita persona". Pleasant but a bit repetitive. "Dos mil años menos" concludes the record with a nice 80's-esque heavy prog note and a touching guitar solo.

Despite a few lengthy moments, "Persona" offers a very convincing and uncommon mixture of genres, yet accessible, proving that the "progressive" adjective can be applied to styles of music other than those usually referred to, even if the guitar dominates. The inspiration is present, the atmosphere is unique and the interest remains constant after several listens. Therefore this third opus deserves more attention.

Don't miss it if you enjoy 80's gothic rock, cold wave, as well as dark, melancholic and depressive heavy prog!

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