HUASCARAN

"Huascaran" is arguably the most balanced Fermata album. It's not their most ferocious one but their compositional skills improved and the same goes for tasty composition development. Dedicated to the deadly expedition by a Czechoslovak mountaineering group of whom nobody survived the avalanche in the mountains. You wouldn't judge this by listening to the music apart from the last two minutes of the last track with nature sound and a slow heartbeat that could correspond to an end. New bass player emerged in the line-up - Laco Lucenic - untypical choice for a progressive bass player - but his handling his duties well although leaving soloing to the keyboards/guitar and rhythm decorations to the drums.

The first track is quite symphonic with moderate upbeat tempo and perfect keyboard layers (moog, synths, piano during the great acoustic exchange with cello). We have an emotional vocal part not far away from Argentinian folk- inspired prog bands at that time. Around 10:30 comes the first storm - a Latin-driven Santana meets McLaughlin before settling in a more funky rhythm and guitar/keyboards working in tandem.

"80000" starts on a sombre reflective Moog note transferring from steady fusion-friendly beat to a hard-rock territory reminding me of a "Blue Effect" style but escalating to a cymbal-heavy fusion with actually Lucenic' bass being one of the lead instruments.

The third track, "Solidarity" has the catchiest motive starting from the beginning and interesting prog drum pattern with mainly keyboard solos. Not much happening on the development side of the track, it's about exploring keyboard/guitar alongside the same rhythm.

"Huascaran II" is pretty intensive from the beginning disclosing its main motive at the early beginning. Important to highlight the slap bass playing well seconded by the Hohner Clavinet groove.

Highly recommended to any fan of instrumental prog and fusion.