EXÉGESYS

The story of Argentine prog formation Retsam Suriv (from right to left 'Virus Master') starts in 2002 and then the band joins several festivals, near their hometown Buenos Aires. Not until 2007 the band decided to work on a debut album and finally two years later Retsam Suriv release their debut album entitled Exegesys. This release got a worldwide support, by French Musea, Japanese Poseidon, Brasilian Rock Symphony and Mexican Luna Negra.

The heartbeat of Retsam Suriv their sound is the combination of female singer Vilma Del Giorgio (wide range and lots of emotion) and keyboard player Christian Del Giorgio. His spectaculair work on the keyboards reminds me of (fellow Argentines) Jaime Rosas Cuartetto and Entrance from Chile. Viima and Christian are supported by different musicians on guitar, bass and drums in the first four tracks and the remaining five other tracks (in total five instrumentals).

In general Retsam Suriv delivers dynamic symphonic rock with harder-edged guitar play and sumptuous keyboard, fuelled by a dynamic rhythm-section. Like in the long compositions Lombardia (exciting accellarations and flashy keyboard flights) and Osmosis. The atmosphere is frequently 'over the top' but if you like keyboard driven bands like ELP and Japanese Gerard, this sound will delight you. At some moments the music turns into dreamy with moving Gilmourian guitar work (like in Lombardia), tender Grand piano runs and soaring keyboards.

As a huge fan of early Queen I was pleasantly surprised with Retsam Suriv their tribute to Freddy Mercury named Lluvia De Estrallas, a wonderful song with a strong build up and a fiery guitar solo.

This was a promising start that will please the fans of harder-edged and bombastic symphonic rock, or the more elaborate prog-metal. In 2014 Retsam Suriv released the successor entitled Danger.

My rating: 3,5 star.