TUTANKHAMON

Iceberg is one of my favorite spanish bands, and this album is just great. If you like fusion, symphonic prog, concept albums and most importantly Yes, you will love it. The only complaint that I have is that the lyrics are in both english and spanish, which is a little bit anoying (at least for me)... but musically it is a very well composed and performed album.

The album presents a band starting to experiment with various influences and the concept album format. So what you get is sort of a mix between Yes and John McLaughlin. Although not very original, this is the band's first step in their search for their own sound: flamenco jazz-rock/fusion, which they will finally develop in Coses Nostres.

The storyline and lyrics of the album are centered around the historical moment and life of the Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamen. The story is very accurate from the historic point of view and the lyrics are beautiful and well written (both in Spanish and English)

The album starts with Tebas a great introduction to the album showcasing a symphonic sound close to Yes', specially the guitar. The lyrics start with Prologo (prologue), in Spanish, introducing the historic and social context of Egypt before Tutankhamen in a very effective and accurate way (+ the singer is very talented and pleasant), while musically the highlights are the guitar (very similar to Steve Howe), the jazzy keyboards and the percussions. 4

Sacerdotes de Amon continues with the same mood of the first tracks while continues with the storyline. 4

Amarna is a more eclectic instrumental track still led by the guitar but with outstanding percussions and a pleasant atmosphere generated by the mellotron. 4

Lying on the Sand is the first track with English lyrics and not completely dominated by the guitar, so we have a chance to admire the great work of the keyboardist with the mellotron, piano and, specially, the Rhodes with a great jazzy solo. Added to that we can still appreciate the talents of the guitarist, percussionist and singer, although the last one has a bit of an accent which is passable. 4.25

Amenofis IV is an instrumental fusion jam and a team work, in contrast with the previous guitar dominated tracks. Every musician shows his talent and how well the band can work together. 4.5

Himno al Sol is a very jazzy song while being at the same time symphonic in the style of Yes' Relayer and the lyrics are in Spanish again. One thing that bothers me is the obvious Yes ripoff by quoting a guitar riff from Siberian Khatru several times. 4.25

La Muerte is a great jazzy/symphonic instrumental track featuring an amazing (and a bit too long) drum solo. 4.5

Close to God is a quieter track with more English lyrics, very close to a ballad with a jazzy instrumental background (it remembers me some Colosseum II tracks). 4.25

Too Young to be a Pharaoh is the "heaviest" track of the album with some more guitar soloing ala Howe and very dynamic vocals (in English). Another highlight of the song is the drumming (Jordi Colomer is definitively very talented). 4.5

Tebas (reprise) is the best way of closing a concept album, quoting some of the themes of the previous tracks and closing magnificently with a guitar solo. 4.25

Total: 4.25

This is sort of a Yes clone album with jazzy overtones but the band will later evolve in their own particular style, which will prove to be very original and not really close to Yes' sound (more in a flamenco/jazz-rock direction...something noticeable in some sections of Tutankhamon).

Great debut album from very talented artists who will release masterpieces after defining their personal style. 4 stars for an excellent and highly enjoyable but not essential album.