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AMAGRAMA

Symphonic Prog • Argentina


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Amagrama biography
Founded in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1998

In 1998 four teenagers, aged between 13 and 15, decided to make rock music: Agustin Amaya (keyboards, synthesizers, lead vocals), Juan Cruz Sanabria (guitars), Juan Amaya (drums, percussion and vocals), and Javier Martinez (electric bass). First they played covers from songs by THE BEATLES, PINK FLOYD and QUEEN. But then, under the name AMAGRAMA, the band started to write their own compositions, influenced by Argentine progrock legends CRUSIS, EL RELOJ and PABLO EL ENTERRADOR, new band NEXUS and the symphonic dinosaurs GENESIS and KING CRIMSON. In 2003 AMAGRAMA began their recordings sessions and a year later they released their debut-album entitled "Ciclotimia" (with guest guitarist Alejandro Graziano): dynamic and often sumptuous, melodic 24-carat progrock with spectacular solos and interplay. The music has echoes from CRUCIS and both GERARD and DREAM THEATER (but not that 'over-the top-scale-acrobatics').

The debut-album "Ciclotimia" by the new Argentine progrock band AMAGRAMA sounds great: lots of dynamic compositions featuring spectacular and sumptuous interplay between keyboards and guitar, supported by an adventurous rhythm-section and many flashing synthesizer solos and lots of sensitive guitar work. Their music has strong echoes from the breathtaking approach by GERARD and DREAM THEATER but no so 'over the top'. AMAGRAMA includes just enough mellow songs and moments to relax, containing warm Spanish vocals and piano, acoustic guitar or soaring keyboards. A nice bonus is the cover "Recluso Artista" from CRUSIS, AMAGRAMA delivers a pleasant and inspired version. An impressive debut-CD!

: : : Erik Neuteboom, The NETHERLANDS : : :
Fan & official Prog Archives collaborator

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AMAGRAMA discography


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AMAGRAMA top albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

3.95 | 73 ratings
Ciclotimia
2004

AMAGRAMA Live Albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

4.03 | 28 ratings
Volumen 1 (Buenos Aires Free Experience)
2005

AMAGRAMA Videos (DVD, Blu-ray, VHS etc)

AMAGRAMA Boxset & Compilations (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

AMAGRAMA Official Singles, EPs, Fan Club & Promo (CD, EP/LP, MC, Digital Media Download)

AMAGRAMA Reviews


Showing last 10 reviews only
 Ciclotimia by AMAGRAMA album cover Studio Album, 2004
3.95 | 73 ratings

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Ciclotimia
Amagrama Symphonic Prog

Review by sgtpepper

3 stars I have listened to this album for at least 10 years and I can still distinctly organize its sound - a prototype of modern prog-metal with symphonic prog and Argentinian folk influences. You don't feel that the lads are barely 20 years old because the compositions sound quite mature, playing skillful and production sound is decent, too. The first title track shows the promising time to come. Still, I generally prefer the second half of the album where tracks get more focused and symphonic. "Desierto Humedo" is a delicate soft track in the 70's Argentinian fashion. All instrumental tracks have a fine quality but the tracks 1. and 7. stand out. The "Crucis" cover is fine but non-essential.

This is a proof that progressive rock is still going strong in Argentina even in recent years.

 Ciclotimia by AMAGRAMA album cover Studio Album, 2004
3.95 | 73 ratings

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Ciclotimia
Amagrama Symphonic Prog

Review by apps79
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

4 stars Amagrama started in 1998 in Buenos Aires,as a cover band featuring young schoolboys Agustín Amaya (keyboards), his brother Juan (drums), Javier Martinez (electric bass), and Pablo Martín (guitar).However they would call themselves ''Komodin/Vinculo'' initially and change the name its time they were joined by a new guitarist,a spot in which the band really suffered.Eventually Alejandro Graziano would reside with the band,which by early 00's had switched into a more symphonic/progressive style of playing.Their debut ''Ciclotimia'' was published in 2004 on Record Runner.

Mostly instrumental, ''Ciclotimia'' is an impressive bombastic debut of Symphonic Rock with occasional Melodic Progressive Rock and Fusion touches.Amagrama follow the likes of modern bands like NEXUS, TOCCATA or SOLIS,this is a very grandiose-sounding and rich debut with keyboards on the forefront and heavy guitars, often stepping into the metal field.Most of the compositions include magnificent keyboard/guitar interplays and mindblowing breaks with plenty of Classical references but also a strong sense of melody.The work of Agustin Amaya is awesome, starting from the bombastic and symphonic synth flashes and often offering a variety of organ passages along with delicate piano.Graziano seems to be the other hero here: great solos, powerful riffs and a great collaboration with Amaya's sounds.Some of the tracks have also a strong-rooted Fusion vibe in a 70's feel, not unlike compatriots CRUCIS or Dutch virtuosos FINCH, where guitar and keyboard battles are constant but always in a very inspired way like the nice opening cut, the superb ''Fabulas de un titere'' or the even better closing highlight ''Recluso artista''.The shorter ones have a more melodic aspect with an artistic feeling and are led by the vocals of Agustin Amaya, which are pretty sensitive, though not outstanding.

It is very hard to imagine that such a mindblowing and professional album was created by a bunch of 18-years old teenagers.This fact makes the listening even more challenging and attractive and ''Ciclotimia'' is a must-have for anyone into both modern and Classic Progressive Rock along with fans of complex and progressive Fusion musicianship.

 Ciclotimia by AMAGRAMA album cover Studio Album, 2004
3.95 | 73 ratings

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Ciclotimia
Amagrama Symphonic Prog

Review by crimson87
Prog Reviewer

4 stars I found this record to be a really nice hidden gem from my very own country! Amagrama's sound can be compared to their Argentinean pairs NEXUS but if you are looking for more known references you can see some resemblances in sound in ELP , TRANSATLANTIC , and ARS NOVA.

Amagrama's sound can be defined between instrumental tracks featuring mostly different layers of keyboards and tunes with a more commercial approach , though far from bad. The pros are the instrumentals by a country mile: The record starts with their strongest instrumental called "Ciclotimia" truly a keyboards fan heaven! and one of the strongest instrumentals I have ever heard in all symphonic prog!

Then the record includes three short instrumentals called El Vacio I and II and Vigilia , the first one has a much more heavy prog oriented sound remiscent of ARS NOVA. While the other two are short interludes based on keyboard sounds. "Fabulas de un titere" is a 7 minute long instrumental this time sharing participation between guitar and keyboards. "Dislaia" is a heavy prog sounding track , and the as a bonus track we have CRUCIS's "Recluso Artista" covered. Great stuff!

As regards the songs featuring vocals while is not a strong as the instrumentals are nowhere near bad. Ranging from uplifting tracks to slower ballads , they are pretty enjoyable tunes. I really liked this record but I cannot say is a masterpiece due to the fact that the tracks featuring vocals are not as strong as the instrumentals and the music the band performs is a bit monotonus , but for sure symphonic prog and neo prog fans will appreciate this record a lot

3.75 stars for me!

 Ciclotimia by AMAGRAMA album cover Studio Album, 2004
3.95 | 73 ratings

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Ciclotimia
Amagrama Symphonic Prog

Review by Mellotron Storm
Prog Reviewer

4 stars AMAGRAMA are a relatively young band from Argentina and this is their debut called "Ciclotimia". Their sound reminds me of fellow Argentinians NEXUS and the instrumental excursions of SPOCK'S BEARD. Yes the keyboards can dominate and there is a nice variety of them.The NEXUS comparison maybe isn't so surprising since they have opened for them before. A lot of these tracks blend into one another. Love the cover art as well.

"Ciclotimia" opens with keyboards as it builds.Synths galore in this one at times. Organ after 1 1/2 minutes. A nice bass / drum section a minute later but it's brief. I like when the guitar leads the way. Strummed guitar and synths after 5 1/2 minutes as it settles back. A killer instrumental. "Vigilia" is a short instrumental that is quite mellow with piano and synths leading the way. "El Vacio I" opens with synths then these heavy drums come in as the phone rings (no idea). It kicks back in with power.This is great ! "Tu Eternidad" opens with piano as reserved vocals join in.Guitar 1 1/2 minutes in.The tempo shifts quite often here and it's quite intense at times. "El Vacio II" is uptempo with the guitar out front.This is amazing ! "Todo Io Que Pueda Ser" is led by synths early as the vocals join in. It settles right down after 2 minutes then kicks back in with vocals.

"Fabulas De Un Titere" is another impressive instrumental.The bass and drums sound great 4 1/2 minutes in then the guitar comes in soloing while the organ fires off some good runs. So good. "Desierto Humedo" is almost ballad-like with reserved vocals. Not really a fan but then it kicks in heavily after 4 minutes.Yes ! "La Luz Y El Cristal" opens with atmosphere as it sort of hums and pulsates slowly. It then kicks in before a minute followed by vocals. Check out the various keyboards on this one. I like the guitar, bass and drums around 2 1/2 minutes. Nice. "Dislalia" is the closing instrumental. Drums and bass lead early with some heaviness until around a minute when the guitar and keyboards take over. Another killer instrumental.The bonus track is a CRUSIS cover which is a nice touch.

Easily 4 stars and a must for Symphonic fans.

 Ciclotimia by AMAGRAMA album cover Studio Album, 2004
3.95 | 73 ratings

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Ciclotimia
Amagrama Symphonic Prog

Review by ZowieZiggy
Prog Reviewer

4 stars Argentinean bands featured on PA aren't many, and this one is a very good surprise (thanks Erik for the bio which raised my interest). For personal reasons I am rather inclined to discover Latin-American bands (to be even more specific, the ones located in a Spanish speaking country).

The instrumental (as many tracks from this work) opening and title number is a bombastic glory, an ode to ELP most of the times. It is a gorgeous orgy of keyboards well sustained by a furious guitar work and an excellent backing band. To tell you the truth, I was really charmed while listening to Ciclotimia. Maybe somewhat regressive, but the verve of this band is so huge that I really enjoyed it.

At times, the high technicity of the band can bring it to almost an eclectic territory (El Vacío I). They are maybe searching too many difficulties and sounds as if they were trying to be a keyboard-oriented KC.

The first song with lyrics is Tu Eternidad. Fully neo-prog oriented, it is not my fave of the whole. The voice from Agustín Amaya is soft and pleasant but the whole sound a bit too much borrowed; although the closing guitar from Juan Cruz Sanabria is just excellent.

I also have to say that these rather basic lyrics encountered during Todo Lo Que Pueda Ser are not really on par with their music. Hopefully, there are many instrumental tracks and Fabulas De Un Títere completely erases the average feeling. The guitar is more present during this number. So far, it was really almost a keyboards affair. The wild beat from the closing section is almost inviting us to get up and substantially move. An excellent number and a definite highlight of this album.

Another one is the beautiful and heavier Dislalia. Furious beat again and those mighty keys sounds. Nothing new at this point of the album (it is almost the closing number). It also offers some hectic moments, but this seems to be almost a trade mark for Amagrama.

This debut album is promising. It is a fine combination of neo-symph with a glimpse of eclectic prog. It is not a usual combination, but it works very well. The vocal department is probably a bit weak.

The cover from one of the best Nexus track (on their debut album) is another great moment from this work which offers plenty of those. Seven out of ten, but upgraded to four stars. Arriba Argentina!

 Ciclotimia by AMAGRAMA album cover Studio Album, 2004
3.95 | 73 ratings

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Ciclotimia
Amagrama Symphonic Prog

Review by ClemofNazareth
Special Collaborator Prog Folk Researcher

3 stars A very pleasant surprise out of Argentina, Amagrama delivered a highly symphonic and keyboard-intensive debut album a few years back when most of the band was still in their teens. I don’t know enough about these guys to know if they are still together, but on this release they show a very promising cohesiveness and maturity in producing complex symphonic rock that belies their age.

Seven of the eleven tracks are instrumentals including the first three, so its more than thirteen minutes into the records before anyone gets to hear keyboardist Agustin Amaya offer up any lyrics. He is accompanied with mellow backing harmonies by drummer Juan Amaya (relative? Not sure), and both of them manage to show a restraint in their vocal emotions that is sometimes lacking on Latin singing. The few vocals that are on the album are in Spanish and are some cases are a bit difficult to follow even if you know Spanish (and mine is quite rusty, but I get the impression this is some sort of love song. Anyway, the piano is quite good here and complements the ranging guitar work that begins to manifest itself once the track gets going. Up to this point the album is very keyboard-intensive, with the guitar only becoming apparent toward the end of the third track “El Vacio I” and again on this one.

A few tracks like “Vigilia”, “El Vacio I” and “II” and “Todo lo que Pueda Ser” are mostly instrumental, quite brief, and seem to not be fully developed but rather included as the audio equivalent of shiny objects, meant perhaps to distract the listener from the fact that this album is rather sparse without these bits of filler. The tracks that are fully matured are all quite good, but this sprinkling of half-baked snippets is a bit distracting.

By the middle of the album two of the four vocal tracks are over and the emphasis returns. “Fabulas de un Titere”, like the opening title track and the two that follow it is quite heavy with keyboards and synthesizers, with the guitar playing a somewhat subservient role and the lively bass getting buried for the most part behind the wall of synthetic sound. Don’t get me wrong, this is great music, but one has to wonder if Agustin Amaya and (his brother?) the drummer could have almost done this by themselves and simply synthesized the stringed parts. And I’m not advocating that either, it’s just that the keys and drums are so very dominant that little else stands out.

“La Luz y el Cristal” is a little different as the guitarist is quite prominent here, and the bass player seems to have gotten a favorable mix that doesn’t wash him out in the glare of the keyboards. Another instrumental track, and along with the title track probably among the strongest on the album.

The ‘bonus’ track is a Crucis cover – “Recluso Artista”, a song from that band’s 1975 debut album. This version seems to be more reserved than the original, but it’s a pretty decent tribute interpretation and makes a nice collector piece for Latin prog fans.

This isn’t a great album, although I think this is a band that has real potential to be great in the progressive music arena should they choose to keep at it and make the commitment. This album lacks balance between instruments on the whole, and I think if the band decides to continue on with vocal tracks they may also want to invest in a real singer (perhaps a female one). Other than that this is a decent debut, and three stars are not out of line so that’s what I’ll give it. Recommended to people who would buy a Flower Kings or the Tangent or Crucible record because if you appreciate those then you are someone who can get into modern symphonic rock that may be seen by some purists as derivative and therefore not worthy. Good for you because yours is the attitude that will keep bombastic and symphonic prog music alive.

peace

 Ciclotimia by AMAGRAMA album cover Studio Album, 2004
3.95 | 73 ratings

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Ciclotimia
Amagrama Symphonic Prog

Review by progrules
Prog Reviewer

4 stars When I bought this recently I noticed this band is from Argentina. So I immediately associated them with their great fellow countrymen Nexus. I consider them as a great name in progland so I thought, well then Amagrama will be their little brother. I don't know how Amagrama will feel about that qualification and I certainly don't want to sound degrading so let's say it's just my twisted mind thinking like that.

When I played it and played it some more times for a right and true judgement my respect for Amagrama increased more and more. This is really excellent stuff. I'm particularly impressed by their instrumental tracks like the title track and a few at the end of the album. Really amazingly good. But it has also to do with their debatable vocals. To me it's the Achilles heel of this band. It's not even a matter of poor vocals because in the song Desierto Humedo the vocals are actually quite good but in Tu Eternidad it's hurting my ears slightly.

But overall I think we are talking about a (near) sensation here. This is one of those bands I hope to find in my ever continuing quest for new great progbands. So I'd say: keep up the good work Amagrama and play us some more. A well deserved 4 stars and even a bit better (4,25).

 Volumen 1 (Buenos Aires Free Experience) by AMAGRAMA album cover Live, 2005
4.03 | 28 ratings

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Volumen 1 (Buenos Aires Free Experience)
Amagrama Symphonic Prog

Review by hdfisch
Prog Reviewer

4 stars The "Buenos Aires Free Experience" project is an associated production of Brazilian Record Runner company and Argentine UTOPIA Music Factory with the intention of showing the hidden side of musicians and their playing of instruments from the spirit. These "jam sessions" consist in meetings where every musician generates a musical frequency of energy able to harmonize with the others.Every piece of music is created and improvised live at the studio, without overdubs nor rehearsing, and later they are edited and mixed with a very creative criterion.

That's the description of this record series cited from the booklet of this disk here in review. I think that's a great idea and so is to be called what young talented band AMAGRAMA is presenting us here. The six loosely structured musical pieces (all instrumental of course) actually don't sound that much like typical improvisations (apart from a few sections) but represent some really enjoyable music played off the cuff with a high degree of soul and spirit. Moreover I've to say I almost prefer this one to their eponymous debut "Ciclotimia" (which I like a lot as well) just for the reason that here they are sounding much more native, inspired and their obvious influence by DT is much less present. There are some guest appearances by Eduardo Amaya (father of keyboardist Agustin) playing bass and Carlos Lucena (from country fellows NEXUS) on guitar in the last track "Patriarcal" which is a superb collage of many different influences starting from the 70's until recent past. Some people might call this band's style derivative I would call it rather eclectic since they're trying to combine the best essence from more than 30 years of progressive music and they're doing this very successful and highly appealing (obviously not only for me but for many Prog fans). To make another citation from the booklet, what AMAGRAMA actually is presenting us here can be called "a sound collage including rock, hard-rock, blues, psychedelia, symphonic rock, jazz, avant-garde, etc. fully in the spirit of the legendary and endless jam sessions of the seventies which were the most sublime passages of musical expression."

Though this record might certainly not be considered an essential addition in a general sense I'd still call it an excellent and much impressing work and therefore I'd highly recommend it not exclusively to fans of this band but to anyone who doesn't mind instrumental jam-session music and would like to hear how a modern foursome of talented musicians sound like when they're allowed to play without any limiting studio chains. For this reason I think this album deserves a 4-stars rating.

As a little additional information, there's also an interview with the musicians (both in Spanish and English language) to be read in the booklet making this CD even more a worthy purchase!

 Volumen 1 (Buenos Aires Free Experience) by AMAGRAMA album cover Live, 2005
4.03 | 28 ratings

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Volumen 1 (Buenos Aires Free Experience)
Amagrama Symphonic Prog

Review by gastontl

5 stars Hi there im from argentina, I know this band very well cause the drummer, Juan Amaya, is my drum teacher. I get to know all the member of the band and i can tell you that they are just some regular guys like me or you. Its a very entertaining album, and the best of this music is that you never get bore of listen to it. Its not like that regular music with a really restricted song structure. This album is all improvision, obviously the album its edited but they just went to the studio and start playing and have fun. I recomend this band to all those prog lovers. Goodbye from argentina. Saludos desde argentin. Gaston.
 Ciclotimia by AMAGRAMA album cover Studio Album, 2004
3.95 | 73 ratings

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Ciclotimia
Amagrama Symphonic Prog

Review by sularetal

4 stars Symphonic prog was never my favourite genre. What I always considered the weakest point of symphonic prog was the compositions. It always seemed a bit pointless to me (that as a very general opinion. There is no doubt there are amazing compositions as well as masterpieces in symphonic prog). Strangely enough a band from Argentina with very young members manages to change my idea. Considering the year this cd was released and the age of the members what would somebody expect would be a pretentious and really bad attempt to copy what was happening in the great days of symphonic prog. Amagrama with their release "ciclotimia" will prove you're wrong. A cd that sounds extremely fresh and honest. Great compositions, musicianship and performance by the four friends from Argentina.

"Ciclotimia" is a cd that is both excellent in terms of compositions and very "natural". I can't really understand how so young people can create so mature music. Even though this band has technical abilities they don't show them all the time. They create high quality music without sounding pretentious. Complex but not tiring or boring this cd flows so well that the55 minutes of music pass like being 10. The sound is amazing and the hole atmosphere is so pleasing. It's a cd that must be heard loud!

Juan Cruz Sanabria has both a more "crunchy" and a very "sweet" sound when soloing and answers to Agustin Amaya's beautiful keyboards creating brilliant passages between keyboards and guitar. Agustin Amaya's vocals aren't anything special but surely not bad. Javier Martinez supports the melodies that are all over so well creating very nice and "smart" bass lines and finally, Juan Amaya has a great sound and manages to create the rhythmic base and make the tracks sound more interesting. He also plays percussion.

What we've got here is a very promising band. Who knows what will happen if this band evolves. They keep the symphonic prog flag flying high. Highly recommended to symphonic prog fans and to people hoping for a good future in progressive music. 4 stars - excellent addition to any prog music collection.

Thanks to The Symphonic Team for the artist addition. and to Quinino for the last updates

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