CAUTIVERIO

After enjoying their first album "Sombras" I had very high expectations regarding this second one. My expectations were not fulfilled at all. It is hard to believe and understand how a talented band like this, who were able to produce one of the best 2001 Neoprog albums, after five long years were not able to create an album that at least would have equaled its predecessor in terms of quality. Everything that I loved about their first album, those majestic Mark Kelly's keyboards, the greatness of Cermenatti, the precise and great arrangements, complex and outstanding compositions completely dissapeared. Truly there is nothing good about this album. Listened to it three times, trying to find something that could attract me, but all I got was a strong desire of pressing the Stop button and throw this album away. The keyboards, one of Subterra's strengths plays a completely secondary role throughout this record, where a terrible guitar replaces it. The songs gave me the impression like they were created the day before. Forget about any complex song, or don't expect surprises throughout them. No rythm changes at all. The structure of songs is very linear a terrible guitar with a senseless keyboard background. Terrible.The band will not surprise you at all. Everything is completely predictable. No creativity at all, essential for any progressive musician. The vocals, well I had my doubts about the vocalist talent in the first album, but the music was so great that this perception became a minor problem that did not affect the integral quality of the album. Now, this terrible music helps increasing my previous perception. Terrible vocals. A short glimpse of what these guys could have done is track 6 "Mordaza". The first album Subterra appears, and is the only highlight of this mediocre album. Why didn't they follow that path?? Just because of this track, that I will rate the album 1,5.....OK 2 stars. If they keep producing albums like this I don't predict a very long career for this talented musicians. Fortunately, the talent is there and exists. Hope they will find the way before recording their next album.