DIFICIL EQUILIBRIO

The first album from this incredible band was a groundbreaking record in the quite poor progressive movement in Spain in the 90´s. While many bands enjoyed themselves in the melodic vein, DIFICIL EQUILIBRIO reinvented the crimsonian language (in fact, Alberto Díaz was a member in Fripp´s Guitar Craft) to create a highly dynamic, but also technical music. Their music in this record can be divided in two different styles: noisy improvisations (not in a R.I.O. vein, but more in the aggressive jazz rock) and structured compositions reminding King Crimson (in the middle 70´s for the style, in the 80´s for their sound). There are also two covers. one from DURRUTI COLUMN (a band they really adore) and another from KING CRIMSON (the abridged version of Fracture).

This first record shows a band very innovative and creative, with lots of ideas that would appear in their latest albums. Songs of real interest in this record are, amog others, Naufrago, Malva Bruma and A.S. Prisma in their improvisative side, and their compositive side is well represented by Despertar a la Utopía, where they give their best in creating a song beautiful in its strangeness.

Although it is clearly not a masterpiece, the effort presented by the band is quite above the mean, and this record deserves great attention, specially for those interested in recent developements in the crimsonian school and the soft side of avantgarde.

This is a progressive rock band coming from Barcelona,Spain but it is rather undefined if this is their debut album or a sphomore effort.In this site ''Clan'' is considered their first ever release back in 1988,while in other sites I found that ''Clan''s release year was 1998.Very few things are also known about the biography and history of the band.The only hypothesis I can make is that the work in ''Clan'' is earlier than in this one,but it was maybe released later.

Apart from these darkened spots in band's history,there is also some music here.This album contains 11 tracks with a total time of about 55 minutes.I haven't heard such a KING CRIMSON-clone for a long time.And this is a clone and not a clown.The main influences come of the ''Discipline''-era of the fathers of prog rock.The musicianship is excellent,the arrangements are very well and tight composed,the overall mood resembles also to Crimsonian atmosphere,dark,full of FRIPP-ian guitars,almost mechanical...Mechanical...This is the real problem of this kind of bands.They lack in emotions and sometimes diversity.This is a typical instrumental album mainly focused on prog musicianship and not on feelings...I also admit that 55 minutes of ''mechanical'' music are a bit too much for my tastes and the tracks sound rather similar to each other tendind to a feeling of monotony at the end.On the other hand I just can ignore the excellent musicianship of the album and the difficulty of producing great tracks (and most of them are great here) having chosen that style of music...

So,rating this album is kind of easy.This album is not essential by any means,as long as it lacks in musical variety and emotions.But it is a very good one worth adding in your collection,especially if you are a KING CRIMSON freak.So, 3 stars is an appropriate rating...

The music played by "Difícil Equilibrio" is probably to be considered on the edge of the eclectic and heavy prog genre. Their style can be compared to some sort of heavy and instrumental Crimson sort of band. But without too much of personality nor fragrance.

Intricate pieces for sure are sitting on this debut album. But each is sounding dramatically like its predecessor. So, a certain boredom feeling prevails after that "Malva Bruma" has being played (the third track of this recording).

There is nothing wrong with their music, if you would except that repetitiveness is the key factor available. The absence of vocals is also not alien to some sort of less appealing work ("Messidor" or "Llanto"). At this time of the album, I have to say that the barrier between good and average has been crossed. Not very inspired after all. Again, the repetitiveness and lack of melody of such a track as "Despertar A La Utopia" is blatant. None of the tracks featured can be considered as brilliant: this album is actually a long sequence of the same. Fine musicians, but weak song writers. Technically skilled, no doubt. But is it the purpose to release an album for self satisfaction only?

The long (eight minutes) and unemotional "Esperar Al Olvido" is quite typical from this band: a good idea to start with, but over extended and repeated. Too many times. Hypnotic for sure, dark, even heavy. The shadow of master Fripp is everywhere.

The band also investigates the spacey items with "Un Final" which is close to experimental music. Can also be described as an early Floydean psychedelic adventure. Quite incoherent to be honest.

As if the link with KC was not obvious enough, the band is playing a cover of "Fracture". They have shortened the experience to a mere six minutes. I guess that "Difícil Equilibrio" wanted to pay a tribute to this important prog band.

If you are into the darkest side of Crimson, I guess that this album is tailor-made for you. But I'm not too much in this. Still, this album is pretty decent. Five out of ten, upgraded to three stars.