EL DIA DE LA TORMENTA

A few years ago I stumbled upon the Spanish progressive label 5Lunas, owned by Juan Antonio Vergara, I was blown away: lots of releases from excellent new Rock Andaluz bands (from Sherish and Qamar to Arabiga and Anairt), and from old Rock Andaluz (like Montoro and Mantra). And also reissues from old Spanish prog (Expression and Khorus) and new Spanish prog (like Scaladei, Onza and Omni). For me this is Rock Andaluz Heaven, but also interesting to check out old and new Spanish prog. This review is about one of the many old Spanish prog reissues, the second album by The Storm entitled El Dia De La Tormenta, pretty different from their eponymous first effort (from 1974) that sounds like the Spanish answer to Atomic Rooster (John du Cann line-up). For more about The Storm see my review on Prog Archives about their first album.

On their second album (1979) a lot of changes: a new bass player, vocals in Spanish, and a new musical direction, more towards melodic progressive rock. I notice elements from Dutch masters Focus and Earth & Fire, and 70s and 80s Camel. Especially in the first track Este Mundo (slow rhythm with volume pedal guitar, Hammond organ and a moving guitar solo) and Saeta Ensayo (part 2, pleasant mid-tempo beat and soaring strings). The first part delivers wonderful work on the string-ensemble and sensitive electric guitar, in a swinging rhythm and lush synthsizers. The titletrack and Desde El Mar Y Las Estrellas contain pleasant and varied work on guitar and keyboards with strong Spanish vocals. The only song that reminds me of the first album is Lejos De La Civilizacion, hardrock with strong Spanish vocals and fiery wah wah guitar.

A nice effort, by good musicians, with tastefully arranged compositions, and good Spanish vocals.