SUMERIOS

Back to 1994 for the roots of this Mexican formation, when 4 friends wants to make progressive rock. They found the band Retrospectivo and play covers from King Crimson, Pink Foyd, Yes and Le Orme. After several changes in the line- up the name is changed into Arbatel (based on a book by the alchemist Agripa) and the members decide to compose their own material. On festivals Arbatel plays along progrock bands Omni from Spain and Latin American Akineton Retard, Entrance, Matraz en het Jaime Rosas Trio. In 2004 the band releases their debut CD entitled Gamadion and Arbatel continues to perform on festivals: in 2006 with known names like Nektar, Marillion, Lazuli and Arte E mestieri and one year later with Classic Italian Prog legend Il Balletto Di Bronzo.

In 2008 Arbatel release their second CD entitled Sumerios, on the Chilean progrock label Mylodon, the band have extended to a six piece formation, including a male and female singer. Well, Rosario Maza Hernández her opera-like soprano vocal contributions will not be everybody's cup of tea but it's a daring experiment by Arbatel. In general the songs sound fluent and swinging, fuelled by a Seventies sound with the strong interplay between the keyboards (often Hammond but also synthesizer and piano), flowing guitar work (Hackett-like solo in Creación Del Obrero Primitivo) and a dynamic rhythm-section. Very special is the opener Alabanza featuring an ethnic climate with spoken words and tabla percussion.

Mexican Arbatel succeeded to make a nice blend between Classic prog and own ideas on this second effort.

My rating: 3,5 star.