CONVIVENCIA SAGRADA

This album marks a complete change in the music of this Argentinean band. From a heavy metal / punk rock music during four albums, this "Convivencia Sagrada" fully belongs to prog music (finally!).

It is mostly due to the fact that the core drum, bass, guitar trio has been joined by additional musicians who add a definite value to the whole: beautiful fluting during "Sol, Un Fantasma En La Ciudad" which also shows the passionate vocal abilities of Ariel Minimal (which were almost never of that quality during their first four recordings).

The band also explores some jazzy atmospheres while "Todo Fluye Al Fin" is being played. It is quite amazing how fast the band changed from style: only one year between this "Convivencia" and the previous "Fragilinvencible". But an ocean of difference in the music proposed. They must have switched the prog button in the "on" position, I guess?

Some Crimsonian feel during "El Cantor" is also welcome. This song offers complex rhythms, weird guitar work and splendid flute again (but I 'm biased as you might know). It is a dark and heavy track combined with very subtle parts. Another good song from this album that is quite surprising so far.

The short "El Haz De Luz" also starts in the same vein but evolves into an almost symphonic prog affair thanks to fine vocals again. Still, the tortured instrumental section seriously leans on KC. Only a pity that it lasts only for a mere two minutes. But so far the band wrote lots of very shorts songs.

The same fine combination between delicate vocals and dark/heavy music is felt during the whole of this work. The harmonious "Vientodestino En Vidamar" is another one of these songs even if the loose and jazzy instrumental section holds too much wind instruments to my taste. Same is my feel for "Disfraces" and "¡Que se yo!".

The band reverts to a more classic and heavy "Caballo Loco" (crazy horse), but at this time of the album, it is quite welcome. It breaks with the overall jazz feel that could be felt so far. The most delicate track from this album is the beautiful "Mis Ideas Son Murciélagos Negros". Quite a strange title for this piece of magical harmony.

I was quite curious to discover the long and closing "Rada", but it is only a never ending and completely loose jam . Not a rewarding track to say the least.

If you are into jazz with a certain eclectic inclination, there are good chances that this album would please you quite a bit. I rate this work with three stars because it shows a bit too much of these ?but this is still a major improvement in comparison of their previous releases.