CAVALCADE

[Spanish speaker here, sorry for the bad english] It was a great surprise to see that a band like black midi was added to Progarchives. Being one of the best modern bands in the alternative circle with its first album that mixed math rock and post punk-like styles with few tones of prog, the band took the brave decision of making an Avant-garde, full progressive record in 2021. Did this weird and unexpected turn worked? In my opinion, yes, better than most of the modern prog albums of the last years. The path of black midi has always been influenced by prog and avant garde bands like Can and King Crimson, but in this new album they didn't replicate the 70's experimental music, making just another retro prog album. They showed that they are capable of taking this avant garde music in their own terms of making music and through their path of alternative/experimental rock. The magic of this record lies within their capacity of mixing their characteristic sound, chaotic and expressive as only they could play, with the sounds of avant-jazz and sonic experimentation that resembles the best years of Rock in Opposition. A record that sounds both classic and fresh. The album starts with "John L", and it was probably the best way to start this album. Almost like a reimagination of King Crimson's 21st century schizoid man, this song makes a clear path to the album's weirdness, with its jazzy improvisation, the memorable riffs, avantgardish solos and its unpredictability. Marlene Dietrich shows to the listener the most slow and calmed version of black midi, another turn in the sound of the band known for its chaotic performances. Chondromalacia Patella and Slow make a better demostration of their Math rock influences, with riffs that reminds of bands like Battles and Tera Melos, but with a breeze jazz and build up structure that creates the perfect atmosphere and climax in both songs. Diamond Stuff and Dethroned take again a calmer version of black midi, the first one making an ambient atmosphere similar to Pink Floyd's and the second one being more fitting into a classic 70's eclectic prog album like (to give an example) VDGG's Godbluff. Hogwash and Balderdash was probably the most unexpected song to me. This is full avant garde coming from the band. Dissonant jazz riffs, an unnerving bass following the drums, rythmic experimentation and, whatever happens at the end of the song, makes one of the most chaotic and progressive black midi's creations in only two and a half minutes. And with a wonderful experience, taking some of the most atmospheric sounds of the prog of bands like Genesis and early King Crimson, the band ends this album with Ascending Forth, probably one of the most unfitting, yet on of the best songs of this young band. This album is everything that any prog fan would love to listen to. Avant garde, Jazz, Math rock, a little of ambient, a little of post rock. Everything great about prog (And everything that has been done wrong by the contemporary prog bands) is here with an expressive and always refreshing perfomance. This album is probably one of the best prog albums of the last ten years at least. It achieved a sound enjoyable to indie/alternative music fans and to classic prog fans, something that no oher band could make before in this perfect way. And it should leave us a hope in the future bands that could take black midi's sound, and making another return of the elegant yet bold and brave progressive rock. Only time will show how influential this album will be in the form of prog to come.