CHERCÁN

Chercán is a Chilean quintet that plays a lush, complex, and engaging variety of progressive rock. Things are densely layered and smartly composed, and the band incorporates jazz and sounds from their homeland. Everything about this record really impresses me.

"La Culpa" kicks things off with an energetic and exciting passage. The drums thump and roll, and guitar and sax lend some wonderful grit. The vocals are powerful, and the melody stands out above the complex backing. Things calm down as the song progresses, and they skillfully incorporate some significant jazz elements. Entering the final two minutes, the energy picks back up, building to an impressive climax.

Wobbly jazz influences are evident from the first moments in "Caen Las Hojas Blanca". The rhythm section displays amazing dexterity, and palm-muted guitar and sax add tension. The occasional blast of distortion or a metallic riff helps to keep the listener guessing about what may come next.

Following the squalling conclusion of the preceding cut, "Kalimba" provides a nice contrast, with the titular instrument plinking out a pleasant little pattern. Saxophone helps flesh out the somewhat minimal arrangement in this song's early moments, and strings and drums eventually join to add some more weight. Chercán again demonstrates their ability to gradually ramp things up, and the string arrangements are especially impactful here.

Following a brief interlude of strings, "Tiempos Paralelos" draws significantly from Chilean music. Gentle, pattering drums and subdued strings give this song's opening moments a pastoral feel. Gradually, distorted guitar makes its way in, and the song bursts forth into an emotive storm. The drum pattern does not change much throughout, lending a fantastic sense of continuity to this piece.

"Las Mientras Del Muro" has a more upbeat opening and has a groovy, funky infectiousness to it. Even in the song's mellower moments, its underlying energy is irrepressible. The conclusion is absolutely pummeling, and the guitar line sounds straight out of a doom metal cut. Mixed with the band's jazzy leanings, this makes it exciting and interesting.

What comes next is the two-part, 13-minute "Relato De Una Obsesión". Part one, subtitled "Quimera", opens with a sitar drone and some tabla. Wiry guitar and bass soon enough weave their way in, and the multilayered vocals give this passage a dreamlike quality. Things evolve slowly, but never does it feel like the band is dragging their feet or meandering. Those Indic touches linger throughout this first part, but guitar, sax, and strings all grow in prominence throughout it.

Part two, "El Orate", flows naturally out of part one, but a rock rhythm finally gains prominence. Distorted guitar and wailing saxophone firmly take the lead, and the vocals soar. The slow build of part one is paid off in this exhilarating second half.

Chercán's debut ends on "7 Colores". It's a mellow balm after the fiery conclusion of the last song, with gentle vocals, clean guitar, and violin predominating. The arrangement is still complex and dense, but it doesn't beat you over the head. This is a great way to wrap things up.

Chercán is a fantastic album that has immediately launched itself into contention for the top of my best-of-2025 list. The band does an excellent job of evolving the songs smartly, and the balance between bombast restraint.

Review originally published here: theeliteextremophile.com/2025/06/16/album-review-chercan-chercan/

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