TARANTULA

When I started to write about prog in the early Nineties I was very lucky that around that time many rare prog LP's were put on CD, like Zarathustra from Museo Rosenbach but also reissues from bands like Spring, Crusis, Los Jaivas, Mezquita and ... Tarantula, from Spain, one of the most overlooked prog countries. The office of my progrock magazine was flooded by these reissues, I was in Prog Heaven! In those days I got their two albums to review, I noticed a huge difference: the first (1976) contains wonderful, vintage keyboard drenched symphonic prog (often reminding me of the Classic Italian Prog) but the second (1978, another line-up) delivers a harder-edged and more direct approach with hints from Heavy Proggers Uriah Heep. This review is about their eponymous debut LP, my favorite one.

Recuerdos (6:00) : The atmosphere in the first and final part alternates between mellow with Mellotron flute and soft Minimoog flights and bombastic with dramatic vocals and majestic Mellotron violins eruptions, very moving! The mid- section features an accellaration with Hammond floods and fiery electric guitar, this sound brings German prog bands like Jane and Ramses on my mind.

La Araña Y La Mosca (4:20) : First a pleasant harmony of cheerful Mellotron flute drops, fat Minimoog sounds, Emersonian Hammond waves and fiery electric guitar runs. Then the moods shift from dreamy with tender piano and melancholical vocals to slow with sensitive electric guitar work and a catchy rhythm with a lush vintage keyboard sound (Mellotron, Hammond and Moog).

Singladura Final (6:16) : This song starts and ends with a beautiful mellow atmosphere featuring twanging guitar, soft organ waves, a warm string sound and wonderful vocals. The break halfway contains pure rock and roll with heavy guitar and raw vocals, how surprising!

Un Mundo Anterior (5:49) : A slow rhythm contains Mellotron (flute and violin section), followed by a very sensitive electric guitar solo and tender piano runs, goose bumps! The tension between the Grand piano, Mellotron flute and electric guitar is great and carries me away to Prog Heaven.

Imperio Muerto (9:38) : This epic composition opens with a psychedelic atmosphere, due to a haunting organ and ominous fat Moog flights. Then lots of changing climates with sensational Minimoog runs, another rock an roll break and dramatic vocals, excellent!

La Danza Del Diablo (3:02) : A mid-tempo song with strong interplay between organ and electric guitar and a swirling Hammond organ solo.

Lydia (2:06) : A short piece that sounds Bach-inspired with warm classical guitar and powerful organ.

Paisajes Pintorescos (7:00) : This final composition is very alternating with the sound of a harpsichord, fiery electric guitar work and great, very expressive vocals. The final part delivers an up-tempo rhythm with wonderful vocals, lush organ and a harder-edged guitar solo, very dynamic and exciting!

Another strong and captivating example of the interesting but overlooked Spanish prog (from Triana, Alameda, Canarios and Iceberg to The Storm, Bloque, Itoiz, Atila en Ibio). Especially the excellent vocals and the lush vintage keyboard sound are a bonus.