ERGO SUM

This is a Chilean quintet featuring Sergio Menares (drums, symphonic percussion), Gonzalo Muga (percussion), Sebastian Iglesias (bass), Juan Daniel Rios (flute), Alexandros Tafarikis (acoustic - and electric guitars, composer and production). In '97 they released their eponymous debut-album.

The CD release from their first album contains the six LP-songs and two bonustracks from 2001. Ergo Sum sounds like a progressive mix from folk and metal with lots of changing moods, including swirling fluteplay (like Ian Anderson) and heavy electric guitarplay (in the vein of Vai, Satriana or Malmsteen) with many blistering solos. Ergo Sum's sound is not loaded with keyboards but nonetheless they sound very progressive.

Ergo Sum's eponymous debut album is a solid example of the kind of power one has come to expect from the Chilean prog scene since the early 90s. It is a pity that this group's discography has been interrupted, since this one and their sophomore effort Mixolidio manage to reflect a special powerful turn on the standards of progressive folk-rock. Let us focus on this album. One of its major assets consists of the band's capability to mix and/or alternate the natural power of hard rock and the delicate approach of folk- fusion, with the resulting amalgam being elaborated in a progressive scheme. The beautiful opener 'Punta de Dama' has a first 2-minute section of pure bucolic serenity that, as we happen to learn latter, is a preparation for the more explicit section thatemerges in full Tull-inspired splendor. While the flute is the protagonist instrument here, Tafarikis knows how to create real sonic energy from his acoustic guitar. From its very initial seconds, 'Ofuscado' seems as if it had been performed by a whole different band, but this impression can sonn be corrected when we pay attention to the instrumentas' interactions. Definitely, this is Ergo Sum at their rockiest. The display of heavy sonorities by the guitar and the rhythm section doesn't seem to block out the playful deliveries provided by the flute. To put it as an allegory, this is what Tryo should sound like if the flutist of Tánger were added as a guest musician. 'Ángel' focuses on exotic moods delivered on a funk-fusion basis: the presence of marimba to augment the flute lines is a very effective detail, while the inclusion of a brief hard-oriented guitar lead serves as an element of variation. 'Power II' is the most explosive Ergo Sum moment in the album, while 'Sol Naciente' (the original tracklist's closer) states a bright exercise on mixing fusion and psychedelic rock in a strong progressive structure. Sandwiched bteween the two is 'Black Jack', a piece that brings a fluid combination of the swings of funky and blues: things get electrifying for a few seconds in a magnificent interlude. If you feel that the first 6 tracks may be too little for what Ergo Sum has to offer to the audience, get the second edition with 2 bonus tracks. These are 'Nuevos Tiempos' and 'Rompecabezas': the former shows the more refined kind of sound that will be developed in Mixolidio, while the latter shows the band's most agressive side, not unlike 'Ofuscado' (including a drum solo). This is a real treat for all true prog lovers that pay real attention to what has been going on in Latin America for the preservation of prog rock - Ergo Sum is a masterful band and this debut album of theirs is nothing short of excellent.

Another heavy progressive rock band from Chile with an ethnic tendency regarding their music.ERGO SUM were found in Santiago in 1994 by guitarist Alexandros Tefarikis (of Greek origin).Starting mostly as an acoustic project,they found a stable line-up a year later to perform around the capital of Chile.Between 1995-1997 sessions musicians came and go,while Tefarikis turned his band from a conservative act to a fully progressive oriented group with the addition of electric instruments and a permanent flutist.In 1997 the band releases independently their self-titled debut,re-issued in the 00's with two bonus tracks from 2001.

''Ergo sum'' is an all instrumental effort,based around Tefarikis' guitars and Juan Daniel Rios' flutes.Their sound is definitely on the heavy side of progressive rock with Tefarikis delivering heavy riffs,dynamic groovy parts and a few nice melodic solos as well.Very often his guitar sounds if ROBERT FRIPP handles it,having a mechanical jazzy style.Next to him,Rios constantly tortures his flute,which has a certain ethnic feeling,sometimes strengthened by the use of vibraphones.Bassist Sebastian Iglesias is also a good performer,offering sometimes complex jazzy bass lines of great interest or hynotic experimental lines,when he isn't just there to keep the rhythm alive.This combination and heavy interplays of strong electric guitars and flutes bring bands like Peruvian FLOR DE LOTO to mind or even Italian OSANNA are also a good reference point,while a modern JETHRO TULL version isn't too far from reality.

Good instrumental rock music with an ethnic flavor,created by the massive use of driving flutes.Recommended to fans of the aforementioned groups and followers of decent heavy prog.