BEYOND

Alms from Spain is a one man project - Aitor Lucena. He is responsable for everything is to be heared on the debut named Beyond from 2013. Well, despite some good parts, the album has only 3 pieces, but all are clocking around 14-15 min in length, that mean are lots of tempo changes, odd signature, and quite good overall playing. The album all instrumental with a clear symphonic prog direction taken influences from bands like ELP most of the time, and from italian school like Le Orme or PFM, also there are some folk passages who remind me sporadicaly of Focus or Jethro Tull. I can say I like this release, not particulary very strong, because in some parts the arrangements are little chaotic, no clear direction of the pieces. The highlight for me is the opening Hypnos, the rest two are just ok. So, for me 3 stars, good but nothing special.