ASCETA

This self-titled debut album, coming from 2022, was an unexpected journey to say the least. It is a RIO/Avant- prog record. Groups like Henry Cow, Univers Zero and Etron Fou Leloublan are some of the big names in this subgenre of prog.

Asceta is a modern avant-prog ensemble from Chile created by Rodrigo Maccioni, the guitarist-flautist of the group, with the aim to explore the boundaries of prog universe by combining experimental and chamber rock elements. This certainly is not an easy task, so the classical quartet is helping out here with violin, cello, clarinet and the chamber music trademark - bassoon. This leads to a very intriguing result.

1. Fobia (8:47) encapsulates everything phobia represents but put into musical form. It starts dark and spooky with cello and violin with bassoon underneath. Later piano joins, guitar and bass follow. 2 minutes in the drums come into the mix and support the structural twists and turns, some of which are quite menacing. Everything ends quietly. (8,25/10) ;

2. Virusmosis (4:27) starts with a chaotic string plugging, which soon is interrupted by guitars and drums. The passages come and return from time to time. A challenging but playful composition, really good. (9/10) ;

3. Gigante Microscopico (8:21) opens with a very mosquito-(moustique-) like sound, very realistic that. The themes are dynamic, they evolve in an unexpected way, with the quieter, softer moments in between. The violin play is impressive (8,5/10) ;

4. Los De Afuera (6:37) has an ominous intro, intricate percussion. Bassoon leads early on. Many sudden changes throughout, nice melodies too. I wish they stayed in for a bit longer without this amount of stops and starts of new themes, maybe it's just me (7/10) ;

5. Ameba (4:39) has a lot of whirly melodies here and there with the always changing rhythm foundations. Nice build-ups. Like the chello and flute in the end (7,5/8) ;

6. Movimineto Estatico (4:28). Intriguing intro, the stringed components appear from nowhere. 1:30 mins in drums join, everything picks up. Again, very thought-out composition, quiet ending (7,5/8) ;

7. Sistemas Alterados (6:48) Sudden intro, quiet development. Some of the passages created by the rhythm section are playful and dynamic, it gives nice opportunity for strings and piano to shine over top. Those faster points are often changed by the slower ones, which creates the feel of balance in composition. Nice finish (8/10).

The production is , in my humble opinion, superb, every instrument sounds clear and it is one of the advantages when compared to that of 1970's avant-prog records.

This is a very well done album, one of the best in the year it came out. Now, those, who are familiar with the subgenre of RIO, know that the music is often complex and challenging. Not every prog listener will understand it. However, those, who have heard some works by groups like Univers Zero and Art Zoyd before, will have a good time with this. At least I had.