LA SOLEDAD DE LAS SOMBRAS

This is the debut album by this Mexican instrumental group and it translates to The Lonelyness of the Shadows. It is apparently a concept album about a raven searching for four shadows, that all have to die. The concept is by Kromlech and Nelida Vidal has written the story line. The music is extremely emotional and there are constant changes in various moods. The musicians are highly skilled and the capabilities in the instruments are showed throughout the album but it never results in selfish acts. The result is a real teamwork with wonderful playing. It would be unfair to raise any of the musicians above other because they are all fantastic. Musically this album has what I mostly like in progressive music: great musicianship and melodies, little to no repetition and wonderful passages in different moods. Another good thing is that this group doesn't sound exactly like any other group I have heard.

Short description of tracks:

The tracks shouldn't even be reviewed separately because this album is more like a one continuous piece. However and despite this I have described the tracks briefly in the following lines to give a better idea of the music.

La Encomienda: "The Commandment". The album starts simply fantastically with the track "La Encomienda". In the beginning there is a short narration about the concept of this album. After and during the narration all the instruments are introduced separately. First come the dreamy keyboards, then the guitar, the bass and finally the drums. Just before the song hits the 7:00 mark it all breaks loose. All instruments join in the most perfect symphonic harmony with simply breathtaking interplay between the instruments.

Primera Travesia: "The First Journey". After the first track fades away keyboardist Fernando Barajas presents a majestic over two-minute church organ solo.

Un Principe sin Sangre en las Venas: "A Prince without Blood in his Veins". In the beginning we move to a more trippy side with some wonderful guitar sounds by the guitarist Carlos Ruiz. This is followed with a great section of interplay. In the end there is a section of crescendo keyboards accompanied with electric guitar.

Segunda Travesia: "The Second Journey". This track is mostly beautiful acoustic guitar and keyboards are in the background. Another new side from the band.

Desterrado en el Desquicio: "Exiled within Insanity". In this song it turns to a more hectic interplay, again with some great weird guitar. Later the keyboards enter from the background resulting in a great guitar/keyboard duel. This piece really gives the feeling of insanity just like the title of the track suggests. Some of the best drum work can also be heard in this track.

Tercera Travesia: "The Third Journey". This is a short melodic piece that starts with bass and quickly develops into beautiful keyboard playing.

Frente al Arroyo del Tiempo: "Facing the Brook of Time". It starts with the same mood where the previous track left. At about 2:05 starts the most beautiful thirty seconds of a full band symphonic interplay section I have ever heard. It is simply splendid and very intricate. It then fades to beautiful keyboards, which are followed by an acoustic guitar part accompanied with the keyboards. In the end there is beautiful, sad and crying electric guitar. It rips your heart to pieces.

La Cuarta Sombra: El Suicidio: "The Fourth Shadow: The Suicide" Again, a simply beautiful short piece, especially in the end when the keyboards come in. In the end of the track the drummer Leonardo Patino goes totally out of the map but it sounds amazing. There is also some great bass by Jesus Lomeli.

El Placentero Escape Hacia la Muerte: "The Pleasant Escape towards Death". The album ends as perfectly as it started. In this final piece all the emotions that were presented along the journey can be experienced again. The interplay is simply breathtaking and with great musicianship.

Conclusion: There are many great albums, even many masterpieces, but there is only one album that makes me fall into trance. This is it.