INSANIA

One of the key features that the typical symphonic prog fan expects from a new album is a more than mechanical balance between the main instrumental forces, keyboards and guitar. The interplay has to be tight, but also the melodic and harmonic space has to be granted for each and both of them. And that is precisely the case with Insania, an album that runs brief but loaded with ideas, melodies, atmospheres and amazing solos.

I think the main novelty here is the coming of Roxana Truccolo, the new bass-player and vocalist. She can not only sing, but in addition is bringing with her, alongside a register fitting the Symphonic enterprise, a new vocal timbre to enrich the particular gothic shades that are so lovable in Nexus sound. And, as a bassist, her coupling with Nakamura's drums is just impeccable.

Being Lalo Huber a retro synth wizard, it can hardly be a surprise that the entire record is immersed in vintage sounds, even when they don't detract from an overall feel that is firmly rooted in contemporary times. But the really good news is that he kept also a space and a role for his gorgeus touch with the acoustic piano. Listen to Track 5, La Sentencia (The Conviction), and you will find it there, adding difference to this unique sounding piece, masterful in its 5+ minutes.

The sense of flow continues seamlessly from beginning to end, and the only resource I can find to point out a particular part of the album, besides the already mentioned track, is to say that I prefer the second half over the first, probably because it's there where the music comes up, that is more appealing to the melodic junkie in me.

But the entire album is fantastic, and if you are a symphonic aficionado, you can just jump in right from the very outset and be happy for the next thirty-six exquisite minutes.

SOLE SURVIVOR OF THE PROMISING LATIN-AMERICAN PROG MOVEMENT 15-20 YEARS AGO.

Early 2007 I opened a thread on the Forum entitled Is Latin-America Becoming The New Prog Leader?, it turned out to be very well and long-term visited, with lots of positive and interesting comments. The Latin-American prog was a pretty prolific scene in those days and as interesting bands I mentioned Nexus (1999-2024), Amagrama (2004-2005), Jaime Rosas (2003-2022), Angulart (2004), Tarkus (2002-2006), William Gray (2006-2012), Bauer (2004-2017), GALF (2006), Spin XXI (2006), Astralis (2006-2013), Diapasao (2006), Supay (2004-2013), Quaterna Requiem (1990-2012) and R- U Kaiser (2007-2018). As you can see, the only band that recently released an album is Nexus, although Chilean keyboard wizard Jaime Rosas comes close with his 2022 effort.

Back to Nexus, this highly acclaimed Argentinian band has its roots in the Seventies when a group of schoolboys from the capital Buenos Aires was impressed by symphonic rock, especially Crusis (also from Argentina), and soon Nexus was born. Eventually a dream came true but not until the end of the Nineties when Nexus released their first album entitled Detras Del Umbral in 1999 (as a five-piece formation, nowadays a quartet). Since then Nexus has released 7 studio-albums, 2 live albums and a box-set.

For almost 25 years I follow Nexus, since their first album in 1999, during the years I interviewed the band and even wrote the Prog Archives biograpy of Nexus. So I was very curious to this new album featuring Roxana Truccolo as the new singer/bass player, she was already a guest musician on the previous album En El Comienzo Del Topos Uranos, from 2017. To be honest, it surprises me to notice the short running time of both the album (around 36 minutes) as the 8 tracks, between 2 and 6 minutes, no long compositions between 7 and 12 minutes.

Descenso A Las Tinieblas (2:13) First a short instrumental track with a slow rhythm, sumptuous keyboards and fiery guitar runs, it sounds ominous ('tinieblas' means 'darkness'), welcome to the trademark Nexus sound.

Insania (4:40) Another instrumental, it begins with sparkling Grand piano, then a tight mid-tempo beat, fuelled by a dynamic rhythm-section. The title of this track has been musically translated with biting guitar and hypnotizing piano runs, a dark and compelling sound, topped with Hammond layers and synthesizer flights by Lalo Huber, what a master on the keyboards.

Resurgiras (5:57) The longest composition on this new album. First a slow rhythm with the distinctive Nexus guitar- synthesizer interplay. Then soaring Hammond and wonderful female vocals (in the native language, always a bonus to me) with tender piano play, gradually the music turns into more lush with howling guitar and a flashy Minimoog sound. Back to a mellow atmosphere and again gradually more bombastic, embellished with Hammond extravaganza. In the end a subtle fading away with tender piano, what a dynamic track, wow!

La Oscuridad (4:54) Lots of changing atmospheres, varied keyboards (piano, synthesizer, strings), Roxana really shines with her voice (including the 'Spanish Rolling R'), she has a very good range. In the second part moving guitar runs join, then a bombastic climate with an exciting pitchbend driven Minimoog sound (strong Rick Wakeman echoes) and Mellotron choirs, finally tender vocals, and soaring Hammond fading away.

La Sentencia (5:27) This is the most accessible song featuring a tight and powerful mid-tempo beat, and a pleasant colouring with sensitive electric guitar, keyboards (Hammond and Minimoog) and vocals. In the final part the music shifts from melodic rock to 24-carat symphonic rock with a strong instrumental break featuring piano, spacey synthesizers drops, wah-wah guitar and powerful drum beats.

Fuera Del Tiempo (3:48) Another more accessible track in the realm of melodic rock, the focus is on the excellent vocals, topped with a fine duet between guitar and keyboards.

La Nueva Alianza (4:32) This instrumental track is built around a tight beat with catchy electric guitar work, embellished with strong soli on synthesizer, Hammond and guitar.

Iluminación (4:37) The final composition is also an instrumental and a wonderful conclusion of this new album. First a dreamy climate with tender piano and soaring strings, then a slow rhythm featuring sensitive electric guitar work and synthesizer flights, choirs join, wow. Halfway the music shifts to more bombastic with powerful guitar and lush keyboards, and finally slowly fading away, in the end voices of a crowd.

A short but tastefully arranged new album, very melodic and harmonic, and varied, from bombastic symphonic rock to melodic rock. New singer and bass player Roxana Truccolo turns out to be a huge bonus on this new Nexus album, along the excellent work on guitar and keyboards. Top notch Latin-American prog!

Highly recommended, this excellent prog band from Argentina deserves wider attention!