EL JINETE NEGRO

Sometime in 1999 in Buenos Aires ex-Anima keyboardist Octavio Stampalia along with singer Marcelo Ezcurra formed Jinetes Negros with an aim to perform Symphonic Prog music.The band had also bassist Marcelo Vaccaro, guitarist Pablo Robotti, drummer Christian Colaizzo and percussionist Gerardo Pricolo on board and in 2000 they released the debut private CD ''El jinete negro'', re-released as ''Jinetes Negros'' four years later by Viajero Inmovil.

And sure, there is some evident mood by Stampalia to fill the sound of the band with plenty of symphonic keyboard fireworks, however the result sounds like a less inspiring and more commercial oriented JAIME ROSAS or NEXUS.The album contains eight rather short tracks, which lean heavily on Ezcurra's voice (which is very far from special) and the clear rockin' grooves of the rhythm guitars, eventually offering tracks really accesible but not particularly memorable.Among those easy tunes Stampalia decided to throw some Classical-influenced bombastic keyboards, more evident on the instrumental parts, and most of them are pretty enjoyable.They just not seem to fit with the rockin' attitude the band has chosen, especially on the opening tracks.The later compositions are far more interesting with some nice flute work, well-crafted orchestral parts and atmospheric choirs, though the cheap synth sound will not allow them to escape mediocrity.

''El jinete negro'' is an uneven mix of good Symphonic Rock with flat and cold Hard Rock, where the talent of Stampalia meets the cliche side of rock music.Not particularly recommended...2.5 stars.