AKTÏW1

A wonderful and promising debut!

It is not a common thing to see people making zeuhl music in this side of the world (Mexico), actually I would say there is only a few amount of us who listen to this genre on a frequent basis, so to know there is a new project releasing original music, is really exciting.

Rëlisp is the name of this Mexican zeuhl project that has seen the light for over one year now, created by talented minds Demian Burgos and Carlos Greco, musicians who love zeuhl, rock in opposition and avant-garde, and who gathered a nice amount of musicians that could understand their quirky world, so together they could start composing and giving positive results. So now in this end of 2023, the band has shared Aktïw1, their first EP, and as I said in my opening line, a truly promising debut.

This release consists of 3 tracks that offer around 21 minutes of excellent music, in which legendary French musician Patrick Gauthier (who has played for Magma, Weidorje, Heldon) is also featured. I recently read in an interview with Demian Burgos, that he met Gauthier on Facebook, where he praised him as one of his idols, and then they became actual friends and nowadays, I could say even band-mates, which is awesome.

Well, this EP opens with 'Arrakis', and since the very first second we can hear that explosive sound that every band from the Kobaian planet has. Saxophone, several vocals at unison, drums and strings. Then it vanishes and the band slowly start building-up a new structure, where we can appreciate its beauty with the addition of flute and violin. The song continues like this for around 3 minutes and then it makes a sudden pause and then explodes again with such energy that will have your ears and eyes wide open, reminding me of course of Magma, but also of band such as Koenjihyakkei and even King Crimson in the last minute's instrumental part.

The next track is 'Sündïa (rest in peace in silence), and here we can hear to Gauthier's piano from the very first time. I love this track, probably my favorite from this release; I love all the nuances created by the musicians, I mean, it is great to hear that constant electric piano but also enjoy the sound of the violin, bass and drums, the looney sax and of course, that repetitive and hypnotizing female voice. At minute three the music explodes, guitar appear producing energetic sounds that is contagious; but then it vanishes and a different passage is created, where cadence and delicacy appears in a delicious way, letting us know they, of course, have some jazzy influences. And later at 5:30 they give us another change in sound and mood that runs for a couple of minutes, ending this track in a wonderful way.

Finally, we can appreciate 'Zenösyne', and I love that it starts with some bass notes, an instrument that is frequently highlighted on zeulh bands. Then it takes us to a journey, little by little the musicians add new and different sounds that produce a nice diversity of nuances and textures, the music creates tension in different passages, but at the same time, the listener becomes hypnotized, addicted to it, so one cannot escape from that journey because once we are immersed, we will feel enchanted. I love that if finishes with so much energy, with those zeuhl vocals at unison.

Well, as I understand, there will be another EP before they release a full-length album, and while it comes, I would like you to hear this band and spread the word, they will blow your mind.

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