DESDE LA OSCURIDAD

After 11 years, chilean symphonic prog band RU Kaiser releases their second album. After several changes in their original lineup, finally the drummer and leader of the band found a new ensemble of female voices that keep the textures of the group's first stage.

The technical deployment of the band also continues with its new members projecting the bombastic symphonic prog of their first album 'Ocelos' (2007) but we can feel some evolution with the incorporation of some neo prog sequences in songs likes 'Sangre' (Blood) or 'Alguien' (Someone).

Once again we're in presence of a conceptual album which explores the human conscience from a spiritual and philosophic point of view, plenty of soaring keyboard athmospheres complemented or in opposition of very strong guitar riffs and solos, building some hypnotic music walls along the five suites of the album.

Although the lyrics are in spanish, every song is very enjoyable because the delicate technique of the musicians even when this one doesn't have the weight of their first release. 3.5* for me.

The fascinating name of this Chilean formation was an idea from drummer and prime mover Oscar Arias Galvez, he had picked the name from a book about Krautrock by Julian Cope: Rolf-Ulrich Kaiser was an important producer in the German Krautrock scene but got in trouble when he started to release informal jam sessions from the Krautrock supergroup Cosmic Jokers (including Klaus Schulze and members from Wallenstein) without their knowledge.

R-U Kaiser is rooted in 2002, in 2008 the band released their debut album entitled Ocelos. Then it became silent, very silent, until August 2018 when R-U Kaiser presented the successor Desde La Oscuridad, 11 years after their first CD. So you can conclude, with sense for understatement, that R-U Kaiser takes its time to produce albums. About that debut CD I wrote on PA these words: "To me this sounds as a strong debut CD, with variety, adventure, emotion and skills. You can hear that this band plays together for many years. If you are up to the very special native female vocals (to me she sounds like 'a Gothic angel'), this will be an exciting album to discover." On the new album the line-up is almost completely different, only drummer Oscar Arias Galvez was also member on Ocelos. And the female singer is replaced by two female singers.

1. Sangre (7.52) : The dreamy intro delivers soaring keyboards, then a catchy beat and passionate duo female vocals, wonderful. Halfway a moving electric guitar solo, supported by dynamic drums. In the final part high pitched soprano-like vocal contributions, subtle shifting moods and tasteful work on harder-edged guitar and keyboards. What a very pleasant blend of symphonic ? and Neo-Prog, topped with R-U Kaiser their trademark 'celestial' female vocals.

2. Conciencia (5.19) : This tracks also starts with soaring keyboards, blended with twanging electric guitar and duo female vocals. Gradually the music turns into very compelling with varied keyboard play, the distinctive duo vocals are loaded with warm expression.

3. MI-789 (6.15) : The tight and propulsive drum beats create a Neo-Prog-like atmosphere (inspired by Pendragon and Marillion), the guitar and keyboards colour this bombastic instrumental track in a very tasteful way.

4. Alguien (8.51) : A varied and compelling song, between dreamy (featuring delicate twanging electric guitar) and bombastic with wonderful work on guitars and keyboards. The duo female vocal contributions sound adventurous and add a special flavour to the music. In the end a strong build up to a sumptuous grand finale with bombastic keyboards, a dynamic rhythm-section, those wonderful 'angelic vocals' and propulsive electric rhythm guitar. This is one of the best tracks on the album and showcases R-U Kaiser their potential.

5. Desde La Oscuridad (9.24) : First a dreamy climate with subtle work on the electric guitar, passionate vocals, soaring keyboards and a powerful rhythm-section. Then the music alternates between mellow and bombastic outbursts, creating an exciting tension. This culminates in a mindblowing final part with stunning work on electric guitar and keyboards, topped with an awesome female Gothic-like choir sound and a powerful rhythm-section, this is R-U Kaiser in its full splendor, goose bumps!

To me this second effort sounds as a strong and very pleasant successor. In comparison with their debut CD the band is more flirting with Neo-Prog (mid-Eighties, not Nineties polished Arena or Everon sound) and the compositions sound more mature and structured. But the emphasis is still on creating compelling atmospheres with subtle changing climates, delicate work on keyboards and guitar and very distinctive 'celestial' duo female vocals in Spanish. A big hand for R-U Kaiser: during 50 years of progressive rock our beloved genre is often nailed for being too clinical and too self-indulgent, but their new CD strongly showcases the opposite. That is why I rate Desde La Oscuridad with 4 stars, creating emotion in music is an overlooked quality and R-U Kaiser delivers this wonderful emotional prog!