FORTUNA VIRILIS

I was so impressed with DECIBEL's debut from 1978, so my expectations were high for this their second release some 20 years later in 1998. Actually the first 10 tracks were recorded in 1998, while the next two are from 1992, and the last two from 1996.

Man, everything I loved about their debut has been pretty much changed or eliminated.This is much more difficult and less melodic, more about sounds coming and going really.There's only one track that for me recalls what I heard on the debut, and of course that song "Espejismo" from 1992 is my favourite. It opens with these deep dark sounds before we get a beat. The beat stops before 4 minutes then starts up again with violin to end it. Most of the other tracks feature different sounds that come and go with no real melody. I would have liked even some dark creepy soundscapes like on the debut, but no.

Cesar Inca is obviously impressed, I wish I felt the same way. This one just flew over my head.