ABISMOS DEL TIEMPO

A particularity in the ATEMPO debut is that its female singer, Mariela González, was the vocalist in two studio albums made by another contemporary Argentinian band: NEXUS. Precisely, doing some comparison between both groups (the most renamed in Argentina), we could say that NEXUS is to ELP (keyboards orientated, more bombastic and symphonic) what ATEMPO is to CAMEL (guitar is the main instrument and music is more accesible). The common point is, obviously, the powerful voice of Mariela González, but I think that it was more "well crafted" in NEXUS.

"Abismos Del Tiempo" has 4 themes where dramatic elements are emphasized in lyrics, some dense instrumentation and -specially- in the singing style. While "Héroe de la Soledad" has a dark and even heavy atmosphere, following two cuts -"Lluvia Mística" and "Cárcel de Sueños"- are some kind of intense ballads. At this point, we would talk about a correct and simply nice album, but with "El Final" (a 47+ minutes suite) the best progressive elements appear: instrumentation becomes more complex, and variations and beautiful soundscapes invades the listener. Not completely a majestic track because melodic beauty disappears at some moments, but really enjoyable.

This is a good album, not superlative. Well worth a listen, but I would recommend -for those who want to know the contemporary Argentinian progressive panorama- to start with NEXUS' "Metanoia" or "Detrás del Umbral".

ATEMPO were an idea of Argentinian vocalist Daniel Noya,who recruited guitarists Eduardo Aguirre and Sebastian Chiarini along with keyboardists Hiro,bassist Pablo Villanueva and drummer Claudio Fazio at the end of the 90's to make his dream come true.However Noya quits a year after,replaced for a little time by Julian Juarez and then by NEXUS-singer Mariella Gonzalez.ATEMPO released their first album on Record Runner in 2003,entitled ''Abismos del tiempo''.

Running at over 70 minutes,you won't realize what is to come by the listening of the first three tracks:slow atmospheric keyboards,smooth acoustic (and a few electric) guitars and fronted by the voice of Gonzalez,these tracks create a ballad-like psychedelic atmosphere,a very calm one for the average proghead's ear...but what actually follows is a grandiose classical-inspired 47-min. epic with changing climates and a balanced intensity.''El Final'' is split in nine parts,which range from dynamic keyboard-driven groovy parts and excellent flashy synth-based solos to soft piano-led classical music and some awesome vocal lines.The composition flows unbelievably nice and easy,while it also contains some supporting guitar work and very strong drumming.Symphonic rock combined with classical music at its best,obviously influenced by acts like E.L.P.,RICK WAKEMAN and TRACE.The overall sound reminds me also of some other Latin-American keyboard-based progsters like BLEZQI ZATSAZ or JAIME ROSAS QUARTET.''Abismos del tiempo'' worths to be discovered even only for the maginificent epic it contains,as the three other tracks do not reach the same level of inspiration and musicianship.A nice modern symphonic suite.