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A PRESENÇA DAS FORMIGAS

Prog Folk • Portugal


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A Presença das Formigas picture
A Presença das Formigas biography
A Presença das Formigas is a band from Viseu, Portugal. Their formation has seen some changes since their beginnings in 2009, but the core of the group features André Cardoso on guitar, Manuel Maio on mandolin, violin and vocals, Miguel Cardoso on bass guitar and vocals, and Rui Lúcio on drums.

Their name can be translated as 'The Presence of the Ants', and it's a reference to a song by the legendary Portuguese folk musician José Afonso. Their music, mostly acoustic, is a mix of traditional Portuguese folk and elaborate arrangements, featuring great harmonic vocals and interesting time signatures, giving it some complexity. This approach shows the influence of Portuguese acts like Banda do Casaco and Fausto, but also of foreign groups such as Gentle Giant, Pentangle and Gryphon.

Their debut album, "Ciclorama", came out in 2011.

Bio by Kotro

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A PRESENÇA DAS FORMIGAS discography


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A PRESENÇA DAS FORMIGAS top albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

3.47 | 19 ratings
Ciclorama
2011
3.29 | 17 ratings
Pé de Vento
2014

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A PRESENÇA DAS FORMIGAS Reviews


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 Pé de Vento by PRESENÇA DAS FORMIGAS, A album cover Studio Album, 2014
3.29 | 17 ratings

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Pé de Vento
A Presença das Formigas Prog Folk

Review by Luis de Sousa

2 stars Pé de Vento is the second installment by folk band A PRESENÇA DAS FORMIGAS. This LP is a showcase of Portuguese folk and pop elements, in which rock is entirely absent. Songs are short, built on simple melodies and adorned with flourish arrangements. Here and there are found subtle influences from Brasilian music. There are no particularly exciting moments, it is all about smoothness and precision of performance. Vai Tão Sozinho is the only song I would highlight, for its unique beauty.

The overall sound of the LP is highly reminiscent of JÚLIO PERIERA's 1990s work, with slow tempos and perfectionist execution. LPs like O meu Bandolin or Lau Eskutara immediately come to mind. It is a peculiar take on folk music, with excitement and sentiment largely hollowed out, focusing almost entirely on form.

A remarkable aspect of A PRESENÇA DAS FORMIGAS's music is the lack of innovation vis-à-vis contemporary Portuguese folk peers. In what concerns folk itself, this is primarily a backwards looking band, lacking the thrill of modern bands like VELHA GAITEIRA or SONS DA SUÉVIA. Regarding the progressive side, it is also nowhere near trailing ground- breaking paths, as did DIABO NA CRUZ, and of course, the modern folk rock reference in Portugal: DAZKARIEH.

Neither rock, nor progressive, it is not really possible to rate this LP high at ProgArchives. However, the excellent musicianship and the beauty of some of the melodies make it certainly worth of a listen.

 Ciclorama by PRESENÇA DAS FORMIGAS, A album cover Studio Album, 2011
3.47 | 19 ratings

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Ciclorama
A Presença das Formigas Prog Folk

Review by Pieromcdo

5 stars This is an amazing album (but there a collaborator how doesn't think so an decide to Destroyed them ! Well since I rate album before going to see how there are rated ! to be objective I am stunt this is a master piece of Prog folk The amazing voice of the female singer with some great arrangement on the smooth side and sometime more energise bring new inside Prog music should bring a theatrical image that I really see in this Portugal ensemble ( looking for music [email protected] ) Wen you do a rating you have the power to destroy There may be children that are waiting for that money to eat specially wen it very good Thanks
 Pé de Vento by PRESENÇA DAS FORMIGAS, A album cover Studio Album, 2014
3.29 | 17 ratings

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Pé de Vento
A Presença das Formigas Prog Folk

Review by DrömmarenAdrian

4 stars "A Presenca das Formigas" is a Portuguese band from the northern city of Viseu. They are playing a very interesting and sympathetic form of modern folk music. Their debut came out 2011: "Ciclorama" and now 2014 the follow up "Pé de Vento" has been released. The cover shows a lovely view of a landscape which a young man is watching while walking through the lands. The group consists of André Cardoso who plays guitars, Miguel Cardoso who plays bass, Manuel Maio who plays violin, mandolin and sings, Sara Vidal who sings, Nuno Silva who plays accordion and Rui Lúcio who drums and plays percussion. They have also a big group of guests on the record.

The music of "A Presenca das Formigas" is so fresh and decorative. There are no ugliness, just pure and genuine music which links the past and the present beautifully. It's wonderful to hear something that is not in English and not has to be rock music. Though is the music absolutely progressive. It's lovely to hear the Portuguese guitar and the accordion. The record holds a high standard and it's even. You can play it at one occation and you'll not get tired of listen. Some of my favourites are "Vai tão Sozinho"(9/10), "Dá-me o Amanhã"(8/10), "O Pulo do Lobo"(8/10) and "Senhora do Almortão"(8/10). These tracks are those who best combines a nice melody with great instrumentation and genuineness. I also like all the other tracks more or less and I definitely think this is a record that is worth checking out, if you are interested in exciting music with lines back and big attention. I hope more people will find this album!

I have just heard two albums in Portuguese before and I have liked what I have heard. It's a lovely language and this is a progressive record I recommend. Four stars!

 Ciclorama by PRESENÇA DAS FORMIGAS, A album cover Studio Album, 2011
3.47 | 19 ratings

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Ciclorama
A Presença das Formigas Prog Folk

Review by apps79
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

2 stars A Presenca Das Formigas is a Portugese ensemble from Viseu, found around brothers Andre Cardoso (guitar) and Miguel Cardoso (vocals, bass) along with Manuel Maio (violin, mandolin, vocals) and Luis Arrigo (drums).The band was awarded the Zeca Afonso Award at Festival Cantar Abril in 2009 and two years later it exhibited an expanded line-up with Cecilia Pessanha on flutes, Teresa Campos on vocals, Filipa Meneses on acoustic and electric piano along with several guests on acoustic and wind instruments.This version of the band recorded the ''Ciclorama'' album, released independently in 2011.

The basic elements of the ensemble are the clean and ethereal female vocals, the soft acoustic interplays, the folky arrangements based on traditional instruments and the overall melodious feeling towards accesible and mellow musicianship.I cannot detect much of the rumored progressive leanings of the band, apart from some interesting bass lines, vocal harmonies and calm instrumentals with a bit of richer sound.To my ears ''Ciclorama'' sounds more like a melodic Folk/Folk Rock album with a poetic atmosphere, a bit like compatriots BANDA DO CASACO or PETRUS CASTRUS' first album, displaying a physical tendency towards a nice lyricism and some slightly intricate arrangements.Another issue comes from the album's dynamics, propably the absence of electric textures or more adventurous instrumental parts are the reason for this.Otherwise this work has some doses of decent musicianship to offer to anyone in love with ethnic sounds, lots of percussion, violin, mandolin, accordion and flute in a rural and nostalgic atmosphere.There are also fair amounts of piano included, but even so the overall style is closer to the Singer/Songwriting stylings.When Miguel Cardoso becomes more active the music suddenly becomes more emphatic, unfortunately these parts are too few for this effort to be appreciated by a wider basis of Prog fans.

Portuguese Folk combined with pleasant and romantic Art Pop/Rock arrangements.Not a priority, very relaxing stuff, propably heading for the strict lines of Folk/Folk Rock fans.

Thanks to ClemofNazareth for the artist addition. and to NotAProghead for the last updates

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