KRONOLOGIA

This band makes me feel very proud, like any Argentinian who loves progressive music. Just two wonderful albums in their short and brilliant career, and both in one fantastic cd.

CRUCIS homonymous first album (tracks 1 to 7) shows an energetic band where Pino Marrone demonstrate why he was (is) the best Argentinian guitar player ever. Adding to his talent, the keyboards (synths and organ a.o.) have an important role, conforming beautiful and powerful melodies. Only one weak point in the band: Montesano voice isn't the best. However, lyrics (in Spanish) are really impressive. The highlight is the instrumental last track, "Recluso Artista", simply wonderful.

At the second album (tracks 8 to 11), CRUCIS changed the style a little bit: Even when it continued being an exceptional band, "Los Delirios Del Mariscal" was centered around more atmospheric landscapes and long guitar driven compositions, standing out "Abismo Terrenal".

It was the best Argentinian band ever, and I dare to say one of the best in South America prog history. Essential.

The "Kronologia" CD includes the only two albums released by CRUCIS. CRUCIS were well-known during the mid-70s, and their debut album CRUCIS proves why. The seven compositions on the original album are short in length, but emphasize fast tempos, tons of changes, and jaw-dropping interplay between the musicians. Despite their short length, the tracks end-up sounding like longer epics. Spanish vocals appear on a couple of tracks and they are similar in style to the classic Italian prog bands of the time. "Los Delirios Del Mariscal", on the other hand, seems a bit less inspired. The energy level is lowered a bit, and the tracks emphasize long guitar solos, moody atmospheres, and more vocals. Overall, though, "Kronologia" is a great deal, and you will definitely get your money's worth with CRUCIS. Just think of "Los Delirios Del Mariscal" as a bonus album.

OK guys this one counts for nothing . I actually have this version of Crucis's two albums but I will review them separately next week as I am still discovering them . Anyway It is always more fair to review albums separately.

So what I am doing here?- I hear the Peanut Gallery yelling.

Well so as my legions (!?!?!???) of fans can already get a small preview of what I 'm going to dish out next week .

Oh no! - yells the Peanut Gallery(PG) . He's losing it again!

What do you mean? - I answer. Look at the rating I gave knowing that I apply the rule never to give full marks for an album after one or two listen. This should be good.

Well ! We never know with you . You are always so harsh and severe. - whispers the PG.

See you next week for the separation of the Siamese twins.

This Argentinian band existed from '74 until '77 and made two records: "Crusis" from '76 and "Los delirions de mariscal from '77. The music has a typcial Seventies sound with echoes from The NICE and FOCUS. Both LP's were released as separate CD's but finally re- released on a 1-CD entitled "Kronologia". The music is half instrumental/half with strong Spanish vocals and the emphasis is on the keyboards (organ, string-ensemble, synthesizers, Steinway - and Fender Rhodes piano), the rhythm-section sounds powerful and adventurous. The compositions are strong and dynamic with surprising breaks and the interplay between the electric guitar (often spectacular wah-wah) and keyboards is captivating. On their second album the tracks are longer with more solos and a stronger influence from jazzrock and Dutch masters FOCUS. Essential prog rock from South-America!

I am from Argentina, where prog music is virtually unknown, just bands like Pink Floyd and Genesis are known, so as you can imagine rpog argentinian bands are also not that famous. I actually never heard Crucis before or even heard of a band named Crucis, it was here were I knew this incredible band. I though I would never find this album, because as I have already sayd prog music is hard too find here, but I did found it!!! I bought it and ...Wow!!! I had no idea a not mainstream prog band and almoust unknowen could make that good music. But it´s true, they can!!! Personally I like the first album better, where the songs are shorter but more structured. The instrumental songs are really well made, with increible guitar and drums parts. The only song that I don´t like that much is Pollo Frito, otherwise I would give them 5 stars.

I consider this album easily the most virtuosic and grandiose progressive rock album in South America. The music is like prog jazz-rock with Focus influences. The musicianship is incredible. The guitar player sounds like a hybrid of the guitarists of King Crimson and Camel. The keyboardist sounds like a Jon lord-Emerson-banks hybrid and has a great musical connection with the guitarist making them combine and produce great music. The bass player does his job very well, yet never steals the show. The drummer is as good as Carl Palmer or Bill Bruford, and the vocals .. well ... are not that good.

Overall, the music is dominated by strong organ-guitar riffing, not a very used feature in progressive rock I have to say, but it is what makes this album a masterpiece

1. Todo tiempo posible 9.5/10 : A perfect beginning, using hammond organ riffs, great drumming, and a very emotional guitar solo. The vocals are the most pleasant on this track.

2. Mes 8/10 : starting with crunchy guitars, the song builds up into a very pleasant rock song with many different organ-guitar unison riffs (the signature sound of Crucis).

3. Corto Amanecer 8/10 : starting with the guitar-keyboards riffs that makes Crucis so great, this is a good song with melodic vocals with riffing backing the singer up.

4. La triste Vision del Entierro Proprio 10.5/10 : One masterful track. It starts with electronic harpsichord (?) which is later augmented by a powerful guitar riff. It then changes to another good keyboard-guitar riff, switches to vocals, and switches back. The vocals are very good here. Then the harpsichord appears again. It is a simple track, but it is perfect.

5. Ironico Ser 7.5/10 : A guitar dominated short piece. It rocks all the way and is very memorable. A turn off is the intro which is a huge rip-off of South Side of The Sky

6. Determinados Espejos 10/10 : A masterful instrumental rock fusion track, including a synth solo of a very unique sound, and an extended guitar solo. Excellent!

7. Recluso Artista 7.5/10 : masterful riffs all over the place, but they are repeated too much, hurting the pleasure of the track.

8. No mi separen de mi 8/10 : A song that starts with synths and later turns into the verse and choruses. The verses are not very strong and the vocals are at their weakest here (even though the melody is very memorable) ... but the choruses contain one of the best riffs I ever heard!

9. Los Delirios del Mariscal 11/10 (masterpiece) : Is there a song more perfect than this? this is the masterpiece of the album. The main theme that grows slowly is prog rock as it's best. After the main theme is played with electric guitar and the drumming pattern is changed, an extended guitar solo backed by keyboards is played with alternates with keyboard riffs playing in moments. After the solo ends, the main theme is repeated for a few times again (it is repeated so many times, but it is as good as close to the Edge) until a musical break occurs with a keyboard riff. After the keyboard riff, an amazing guitar riff soars, switches to a keyboard-keyboard riff which for me is the most memorable part of the album, switches back to the guitar riff, and switches again and again until the song ends.

10. Pollo Frito 9.5/10 : The song starts like many others : with a solid guitar-keyboard riff. There's a short spacey break afterwards, and then it comes back stronger with a great guitar riff. Then it has yet another change with a melodic guitar solo. Then it goes back to the beginning, and has yet more changes and insired solos. This is an absolute gem with jazz-fusion influences. 11. Abismo Terrenal 10.5/10 : phenomenal and exhilarating finisher, and in my opinion, the best 'show-off' instrumental piece of all times. the first 3 minutes are normal, it starts with a guitar solo, then a brilliant guitar riff ... after that finishes what's next?... well ... about 8 minutes of soloing. The first solo is the Keyboard which sounds very unique like the great solo of Determinados Espejos. The second solo may be the best extended guitar solo I have heard yet: it is about 5 minutes long, yet is always highly melodic and extremely exciting. The best part of the solo is when organ chords interplay with a frenzied guitar. Then there is a solid drum solo and a very melodic bass solo. After all the soloing finishes, the song returns to the brilliant riff of the beginning and ends .. but Pino Marrone keeps playing, like if he will not play anymore after the CD is done ... so the guitar sounds desperate, fast, unable to stop.

In conclusion, I really recommend this work of art. You will not be disappointed. One of the best (if not the best) albums to come from South America.

My Grade : A