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ALPHA LIGHTING SYSTEM

Crossover Prog • Mexico


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Alpha Lighting System biography
ALPHA LIGHTING SYSTEM is a progressive rock band from Mexico that combines high quality musical arrangements with an elaborate narrative, which addresses topics related with astronomy, biology, technological advances and environmental awareness. The band's approach is fresh and innovative; both their music and their thematic differ from commercial standards. Through their music, the band aims to lead their audience to reflect on society and its parameters and to achieve consciousness of the planet in which we live.

ALS recorded their first two albums in Los Angeles, California under the production of Billy Sherwood, top producer, multi instrumentalist and current bass player with legendary band YES.

The group is currently receiving high recognition, both national and international, being considered one of the best rock groups in Mexico.

On February 2018 Alpha Lighting System was winner of the 7 Notes Challenge by Serj Tankian (System of a Down) and Creative Armenia with their composition "life.exe".

Alpha Lighting System performed live at the Progtoberfest IV rock festival on October 2018 in Chicago, USA. The event was voted as one of the best
events of 2018 in Prog magazine readers' poll, and the band recently released a live album of the show.

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ALPHA LIGHTING SYSTEM discography


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ALPHA LIGHTING SYSTEM top albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

3.61 | 9 ratings
Walking on an Earthlike Planet
2015
3.79 | 10 ratings
836
2017
3.00 | 2 ratings
Instrumentals: Walking on an Earthlike Planet
2018
4.18 | 12 ratings
H+
2020

ALPHA LIGHTING SYSTEM Live Albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

4.82 | 3 ratings
Live at Progtoberfest / Chicago
2019
0.00 | 0 ratings
The Delta Factor / Live
2021

ALPHA LIGHTING SYSTEM Videos (DVD, Blu-ray, VHS etc)

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

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

2.17 | 4 ratings
Moon Mirror
2015
5.00 | 1 ratings
Hazard
2018
0.00 | 0 ratings
life.exe
2018
4.00 | 1 ratings
Mistli
2018
4.00 | 1 ratings
< virtual.death >
2020
4.00 | 1 ratings
Mirage
2020
4.00 | 2 ratings
Allison
2020
4.00 | 1 ratings
EV01VE
2020
3.00 | 3 ratings
Astro
2023
3.00 | 1 ratings
Sombras
2023

ALPHA LIGHTING SYSTEM Reviews


Showing last 10 reviews only
 Sombras by ALPHA LIGHTING SYSTEM album cover Singles/EPs/Fan Club/Promo, 2023
3.00 | 1 ratings

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Sombras
Alpha Lighting System Crossover Prog

Review by memowakeman
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

— First review of this album —
3 stars Another great track!

The always prolific Mexican band Alpha Lighting System has given us a new single, and it is great to hear they kept Spanish as the main language, and I would say I am getting used to it and like it.

'Sombras' is a track that has a loud and clear message against our political system, and though we could say they particularly refer to the Mexican one, I think the lyrics could suite almost any country that has [&*!#]ty politicians who always look after their interests and forget about the people's. Nowadays we are witnessing wars, so many blood covering the streets, so many innocent being blasted. So it is really sad these things still happen.

And yes, music is a vehicle to talk about these problems, because we are all involved directly or indirectly, so it is nice to take action through art and spread the word, always spread the word.

Of course, the music here is great as usual, they first open with energy and with the full band, I mean, the four musicians take part since the very first second creating a kind of Porcupine Tree sound, second later when vocals enter the rhythm slows down, we can hear great raw bass lines; then they change rhythm, soft guitar notes appear as bridge and the music seems to explode, but they keep the calm.

The chorus appear and what is quite interesting, catchy to sing but also full of energy because it is after all, a song about disagreement, protest, anger, so yeah, the song actually explodes, it has to! And I really love that instrumental passage where a keyboard solo drive us crazy, while the exquisite drumming pumps the track with energy, and the strings create a wild base that reminds me of Riverside and once again, PT.

I like they decided to put some bell tolls in the end, it is symbolic.

And yes, it will always be a pleasure to write about these guys, because they don't cease to create amazing music.

Enjoy it!

 Astro by ALPHA LIGHTING SYSTEM album cover Singles/EPs/Fan Club/Promo, 2023
3.00 | 3 ratings

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Astro
Alpha Lighting System Crossover Prog

Review by memowakeman
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

3 stars Great to hear them singing in Spanish!

For the last 7 or so years I've been really keen on Alpha Lighting System's music, I could say they are one of my favorite Mexican prog bands (if not my fav) and that is due to the high amount of amazing releases they've made throughout the years.

Progressive rock at its finest, well-thought music that so far has produced 3 studio albums, one live-LP and one live- EP, along with some pretty cool single tracks.

They are really into sci-fi topics and we can notice it in several ways: the band's name, the album's names, the song's names, etc. And now in this 2023 they delight us with a new single entitled 'Astro', which to my surprise is sung in Spanish (their native language).

'Astro' is a short 4-minute track. They have given us some mid-range (5-8 minutes) tracks, and some amazing epic songs that surpasses the 10-minute barrier, and I really love them. But now with this single, I am really satisfied.

The surprise came not only because of the lyrics in Spanish (which is their second song ever in this language, by the way), but also because of the musical style, so the bombastic symphonic and spacey prog rock is not actually present here; this time they challenged themselves and created a song with a new sound.

What I perceive here is an 80's driven track, I hear elements of neo-prog, but also a wink to what we know as "Rock en tu Idioma", a movement of rock music with lyrics in Spanish that was huge in the late 80s and early 90s in Latin- America. The lyrics are clever as usual, here they made a tribute to the moon and for those of us who speak Spanish, it is catchy and easy to remember the lines and sing them with joy.

Of course, instrumentally they brought once again a top-nocht release; they really know how to produce a track and how to make a great balance between the four of the musicians, so we can actually enjoy what each and everyone of them do, in spite of being a short track.

Congrats again to ALS, I will always push people to listen to them, because they are incredibly talented and deserve more and more listeners and fans around the globe.

'Astro' is now available in Bandcamp, so please go and listen to it ASAP, you will not regret!

 H+ by ALPHA LIGHTING SYSTEM album cover Studio Album, 2020
4.18 | 12 ratings

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H+
Alpha Lighting System Crossover Prog

Review by nick_h_nz
Collaborator Prog Metal / Heavy Prog Team

4 stars [Originally published at The Progressive Aspect]

I first became aware of Mexican band, Alpha Lighting System, via Serj Tankian's 7 Notes challenge, and their winning entry life.exe which encapsulates beautifully the band's sounds and philosophies in one compact package. That track now takes pride of place as the penultimate passage of the 25 minute, five part H+ suite on the this year's album of the same name. So, let's start with life.exe as I'm guessing it is possibly the oldest piece of music to have made it to this new album.

The piece (credited as being co-written with Serj Tankian, though I presume this alludes only to those initial seven notes), which appears to address the way technology both changes and connects our society and civilisation. Especially now, with the advent and ubiquity of social media, where our lives are subject to more scrutiny than ever before, and where some people modify their lives ? either entirely, or superficially ? to meet expectations that have never previously existed, or at least been so exacerbated. It is sometimes hard to know, from looking at someone's social media profile and posts whether you are looking at their life, or at their 'life.exe' (that is, it is a reflection of reality, or merely a reflection of the reality they wish to portray). This idea of what it is to be human is explored in greater depth throughout H+, and the musical ideas of life.exe are similarly expounded upon, making it a great introduction to the music of Alpha Lighting System, if it were (as it was for me) the first thing you heard from the band.

However, for many people, the first thing they will hear from the band will be the opening track, and lead single, from H+, Allison, and it sets out the stall very nicely. Alpha Lighting System are clearly very talented individuals, who could so easily have followed the Dream Theater sound that so many prog metal bands do ? and I'm so glad they have not, as that tends to bore me very quickly. Instead H+ is a very balanced work that while it may draw mainly from symphonic and metal tropes of the progressive scene, also has a very light and at times jazzy touch. There are songs with a lot of movement and complexity, that show the virtuosity of the musicians, but at the same time that sense of balance always remains. For example, Joshua San Martín provides some delicate attacks and dizzying acrobatics on the guitar, but at all times this is at the service of the composition, and the band as a whole. The arrangements and timing are intricate and technical ? and yet always organic. The music, like the concept of the album, marries technology with being human.

The high quality of the music is matched by the high quality mastering by Bruce Soord, who presumably became aware of the band when they supported The Pineapple Thief in Mexico City. The sound of this album is wonderful, from the quietest moments to the loudest. Every instrument shines, and has its own space. It's that sense of balance again, and it's an absolute joy to listen to. I love the way that sometimes the music and lyrics are almost in opposition. So, Allison (yes, I'm still only on the opening track), generally has a quite bouncy and upbeat feel to the music, while the lyrics are quite melancholic, and almost tragic. But is this not again merely a reflection of life, which is a series of contradictions, and appearances that do not always reveal inner turmoil.

Mirage is a more contemplative piece, but what it does for me is really point out how wonderful the rhythm section of Alpha Lighting System is. I was already wowed by the drums of Juan Gabriel Hernández and bass of Jaco Jácome on the opening number, but they really propel along this quieter song. And Mirage also gives what I feel is Alam Hernández's best vocal performance on the album. I absolutely love his vocals on this track. All in all, this is probably surprising for a lot of people who know my musical tastes, for this song would not normally fit within them ? but that just emphasises, for me, how impressive this band is. To make a song not only interesting but enjoyable for someone who would normally otherwise not find it to their taste is quite a feat.

The violin from guest musician, Alena Stryuchkova on 2872 is a really nice touch, and once again this is a quieter piece that really allows the talent of the rhythm section to shine again, and they are possibly more prominent in this song than any other, playing some very nifty chops and changes, and definitely leading the song. Alam Hernández impresses again, too, but this time for his jazzy piano playing. (Not to detract from his vocals, which are as gorgeous and smooth as ever ? but the piano on this track is a real joy to listen to.) From this point, we begin the H+ suite?

Against the Tyranny of Our Genes starts the journey, with a short and spacey introductory track leading into Δ, which is the heaviest on the album so far. But in terms of prog metal, this reminds me more of Osada Vida than anything else ? as that jazzy vibe still pervades, regardless of how heavy the music might become. Again, it's Alam Hernández who provides a lot of the groove, with some mighty synth work. This is possibly my favourite song on the album as in its nine minutes it has so many changes in mood and atmosphere. And if it's not my favourite, then the following virtual.death definitely is. But honestly it's hard not to elevate any part of the H+ Suite above the rest of the album. The band really come into their own with these tracks.

The suite ends with the two instrumentals life.exe and EV01VE which are both great, and obviously I already knew and liked the former. But, wow, what a dramatic way to end the suite EV01VE is. And after a maelstrom of chaos, the H+ Suite is over, and is perfectly followed by Gone. Although the longest individual track on the album, it is the most calm and gentle composition. Even when there are changes, they too are gentle. This is a long, and at times almost ambient, introspective reflection on all that has come before. It's a magnificent, if somewhat unexpected, way to end the album. And every time I reach this point in the album, I remember that it is not Δ or virtual.death that is my favourite track on H+. It is Gone. Beautiful, beautiful, Gone.

Alpha Lighting System is absolutely a band to listen out for, and H+ is definitely an album to listen to. Even if you're not normally a prog metal fan. Even if you're put off by my use of the word jazz to describe their sound. H+ is an ever changing kaleidoscope of colours, moods and tones, perfectly sequenced, and sumptuously played. Each of the tracks is quite different from the other, yet recognisably the product of the same musicians. It impresses more on each subsequent listen, and I can tell those subsequent listens are in no danger yet of stopping. Quite simply, H+ is a pleasure to listen to.

 H+ by ALPHA LIGHTING SYSTEM album cover Studio Album, 2020
4.18 | 12 ratings

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H+
Alpha Lighting System Crossover Prog

Review by memowakeman
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

5 stars Review originally published at www.thercoktologist.com

Let's start simple and clear: OMG!

The more years pass, the more I love this band. Hailing from Mexico City, Alpha Lighting System have become one of the most ambitious and talented progressive rock bands of the last years.

After receiving positive feedback from their first US show in Chicago's Progtoberfest (which was recorded and released as an stunning live album); after having won a universal competition created by System of a Down's Serj Tankian; and after successful supporting The Pineapple Thief in their visit to Mexico City, the quartet arrives now with a magnificent third album entitled 'H+', whose leitmotif is transhumanism.

This new record (wonderfully mastered by Bruce Soord, by the way), keeps the high quality this band uses to offer on their music, however, after several years of being together, getting along and understand each other not only as friends, but as bandmates, I could say this album is a notorious work of art in all topics: composition, lyrics, concept, music, production. Sadly, local people has not realized the monster is in front of us, a band that should have much more attention.

The first track of the album was also the first single. 'Allison', you might have recognized it if you already own their live album, because this was wonderfully performed at the Progtoberfest. This is a six-minute song that works as a solid introduction to the transhuman concept of the album: "still she dreams of the impossible", Alam sings, and it is impossible not to think of that girl named Allison, in fiction and in reality, full of emotions.

'Mirage' has a softer sound, it is a thoughtful song that questions the importance of emotions and their role in a daily basis. We are as free as we allow to, but the hard thing is to realize about it. I love the music and its melancholic sound, I love the guitar solo that comes after four minutes and that last part in which intensity increases a little bit finishing with a maybe simple but really deep phrase: "I feel alive".

In '2872' they surprise us by a wonderful violin introduction made by guest musician Alena Stryuchkova, then the cadence of bass notes along with the soft guitars and keys, invite us to close the eyes and feel the entrance of a future world when love still reigns, but where acceptance is maybe the most important concept. JG's drum work is delicious here, several figures, amazing changes every here and there; but as I have mentioned in previous reviews, a thing I love from this band is that the four members are equally important, the four are prodigious musical souls.

A wonderful 23-minute suite divided in 5 tracks comes next. It is entitled 'H+' and its introduction comes with 'Against The Tyranny of Our Genes', a nice one-minute track made by electronic piano with a futuristic sound that leads us to 'Δ', a track completely different from the previous they have offered in the album. The sound is much heavier, close to the prog metal realm. The energy they deliver is great, strings together create a strong sound, but there keyboards put that amazing blend of symphonic and spacey rock, which is one of the band's main features, their facility to touch different musical realms and unify them to create their own ALS' sound. The mood and tempo changes here are wonderful, it is a 9-minute journey through different atmospheres, like being in space surrounded by geometric figures and learning from them every single minute. The musicianship is simply wow, to be honest, impossible not to love the whole track, but my favorite part arrives at minute 6. Extraordinary.

Science fiction has always been part of ALS's music, we can tell by their album titles, song titles, cover arts and of course, sound. Another example of this is '', which starts with a spacey electronic sound, it feels like floating in space and questioning what is around us, but also what is inside us. I love Joshua's delicate guitar sound here, and how Jaco's bass can share different emotions. Though the first two and a half minutes are quite calm, there is an explosive passage that arrives with lush keyboards that are greatly accompanied by drums, taking the listener to another level.

'life.exe' is a song the band first released in 2018 and became the winner of that contest Tankian organized. This is a short instrumental track that has so many elements on it, a progressive rock feast that has some juicy jazz passages. There are several changes, it is like having a puzzle and all the pieces float and have their go to stand out but always need each other to do a perfect match. This amazing piece leads us to another outstanding one: 'EV0LV3'. I had the chance to be one of the first people to listen to this track last year (thank you JG), and I remember I was blown away, the words "OMG" didn't cease to repeat in my mind, as I was witnessing a sample of what this album would be about. This instrumental track starts with a chaotic sound, I feel like running here, running maybe from myself, my demons, my desires. It is important when music remind us we are humans that feel and have emotions; sometimes music is a metaphor of what we are experiencing in real life, it is our decision if we want to grab its messages. But well, when you listen to this track, I bet you will repeat it 2, 3 or more times.

The album finishes with 'Gone'. The sound of rain opens the gate to this final journey. Is there life after death? What will happen to us when we die? So many genuine questions could be brought while listening to this piece. 'Life fade out forever; your eyes got closed forever', says Alam, and I can't help but questioning my place on Earth in a moment of introspection. Despite being the longest track here, it might be the gentlest one to listen to, I mean, not only prog rock fans could dig it, but music fans in general. It is a calm composition that will leave our minds thinking a lot.

What a gem, really. Long live Alpha Lighting System.

Enjoy it!

 Live at Progtoberfest / Chicago by ALPHA LIGHTING SYSTEM album cover Live, 2019
4.82 | 3 ratings

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Live at Progtoberfest / Chicago
Alpha Lighting System Crossover Prog

Review by memowakeman
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

5 stars This is amazing!

And yes, they are amazing. Alpha Lighting System is a band whose steps I've followed since four or five years ago when I discovered them, a band of three young and one veteran virtuosos that nowadays represent (at least to my ears) the best example of top-notch progressive rock made in Mexico.

After so many years working hard, they have opened their own path to success. After having worked with Yes' bass player Billy Sherwood, and having won the "7 Notes Music Challenge" organized by renowned musician Serj Tankian, these guys were chosen to play at Progtober Fest, a prestigious annual progressive rock festival in Chicago, which probably meant their first international live challenge. They did great, gaining some new fans and also, daring to record their performance and then release it as their first live album simply entitled: "Live at Progtober Fest / Chicago".

Their show was short but quite solid, the song curation was excellent and as far as I know, the audience response was very positive, which is something that excites me a lot because I have witnessed their improvement, I mean, they look more confident, the play like if they had 10 or 15 years on the road, their sound and connection is very mature, very solid, and despite I could not attend to this show in particular, I could saw them last December opening for The Pineapple Thief, and wow, they simply blew me away.

After that show I decided, well no, I re-confirmed they are my current favorite Mexican band, which is why I have kept my eye on them and recommend them every time I can. The quality of this live album speaks for itself, from the short opener track "Mistly" to the ambitious and amazing epic "Pyschosis", the band gave everything on stage, which is why the result is quite positive, quite amazing.

These four guys really know how to create prog rock of high quality, several years of friendship have given them the tools to understand each other musically and to support each other, so one of the things I would like to point out is that the band is formed by four equal parts, though Alam might be the front-man due to his position as singer, what Jaco, Joshua and Juan do is as important and remarkable in both, studio and on stage, so in concert it is difficult to keep watching one of them, because all have their personality and all have their moments, and I think that great connection is a definitive part of ALS's success.

Yeah, progressive rock is what we find here, but of course, the band has been also surrounded by classical music, metal, jazz and funk, influences we can appreciate here and there not only in this live album, but in the two studio releases. Trained musicians with pure talent and with an endless aim to create.

I am eagerly waiting for their third studio album, right now I have a clue of what it might be, and I bet it will give us only satisfactory thoughts. I am sure it will be amazing!

Please take a listen to this live album, I am sure you will like and hopefully you share the voice and let the band reach more and more ears worldwide, and of course, more opportunities for new international live exposure.

Enjoy it!

 836 by ALPHA LIGHTING SYSTEM album cover Studio Album, 2017
3.79 | 10 ratings

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836
Alpha Lighting System Crossover Prog

Review by memowakeman
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

4 stars I'm in love with these guys!

Well, since I discovered this band I've been closely following their steps and supporting them, because they demonstrated to be so ambitious and creative, despite being so young. They had the courage to write and share their music to Billy Sherwood, whose trained ears adopted what ALS sent and decided to produce their amazing debut album released back in 2015, and also their second and newest record entitled "836" (which can be also pronounced as BioElectroGenesis), released this 2017 fall.

What these three geek-friends offer is a sci-fi experience in which the music is the main element, but the lyrics tell a story and our minds create the film. I am really keen on them because to be honest, I had never known a Mexican band this young with such big talent. You'll believe me. The music is a blend of symphonic rock with spacey atmospheres and even some psych and metal moments, so be ready for the next 55 minutes divided in 5 tracks, because you'll have a great journey.

The album kicks off with "Spaceport", the shortest track and the introduction to the spacey journey. Here you can feel like being waking up in an unknown place and realizing that what surrounds you have been part of your dreams. This introductory song is completely instrumental, keyboards, guitar, bass and drums creating a solid whole that opens gates to the space and lead us to create pictures on our minds. The spacey-sounds are here and there but the symphonic prog is also evident, though there is also a jazzy feeling here. This track leads to "Alpha Fornacis" which is the first one to have lyrics. Alam Hernández is the main voice but I love how San Martin and Jácome help with those backing vocals. The lyrics might be easy to catch so I am sure you will learn it soon. The sound is calm but while the seconds pass new elements are added. Before reaching the third minute there is a major change, the music vanishes and spacey atmospheres appear and then a new structure is being built up, with that evident symphonic prog made evident mainly by keyboards.

The title track is also the longest one. The climax of the album comes with "Bioelectrogenesis", a challenging and amazing 15-minute composition that show the creativity these guys have, the concept behind the album and even their musical influences. Here there is a chat between a man and its universe, which could by a simile of the inner struggles one can have. There is a funky feeling made by the guitar here, wonderfully complemented by the strong bass, clean and versatile drums and that symphonic-spacey keyboard playing. The first two minutes are a wonderful instrumental introduction and then the encounter begins. There is something I'd like to say, it is not that easy to realize when the Universe speaks and when the Human does, I mean, you can tell by the backing vocals, but it is not that evident. The music is wonderful, I love its changes and different passages, it is like a mini-novel with brief but juicy chapters. After 9 minutes there is a part I love, the music produces a sense of hurry, it becomes faster and more bombastic. The drums are wonderful; maybe at first I didn't realize, but man, it shares so many figures.

"To Rate is to Create" starts softly with a delicate acoustic guitar and keyboards as background. The voice joins after two minutes, and one minute later a completely new structure appears, led by keyboards that create once again a bombastic symphonic sound, with rock guitars and a great bass-drums work. It is extraordinary how they placed the different passages, I mean, there are long moments without lyrics, then they return and disappear and then comeback, all flows naturally in spite of the different changes, which let us know once again how good they are as composers. Extraordinary track!

There is one more (and long) track here, the final part of the journey. It is "Psychosis" which by the way is divided in four parts. I like this one a lot, it is like a representation of our unconscious minds, how we react before the unknown and all what we hide deep inside our thoughts. Musically this is another art rock journey where all the instruments play an equal role, but at the same time all of them have their shot in brief moments, so if you listen carefully you will find some nice bass slaps, cool drumstick games, guitar adding funky and rocky colors and of course the different textures created by keyboards. There is a nice amount of nuances in this track, nuances that actually produce emotions: chaos, nervousness, hurry, calm, salvation, and satisfaction. To listen to this album and Alpha Lighting System's music is something great, a different experience with every new listen, which is something I praise a lot.

Please listen to them and if you like the music, spread the word, I blindly believe they have all to writhe their name in the progressive rock history around the globe. Enjoy it!

 Moon Mirror by ALPHA LIGHTING SYSTEM album cover Singles/EPs/Fan Club/Promo, 2015
2.17 | 4 ratings

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Moon Mirror
Alpha Lighting System Crossover Prog

Review by memowakeman
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

2 stars I am so happy to see Alpha Lighting System in PA`s database, because they are a band of young and truly talented musicians whose big effort must be spread to people's ears and souls around the world. They are an eclectic band who play symphonic prog, metal, space and much more, they really know how to blend those genres and also how to use sic-fi within a musical world, so each of they tracks is a complete trip.

Their debut full-length album was release in the first half of 2015 and was produced by Billy Sherwood, something that I would like to highlight because I believe he would not have produced them if the music wasn't great, so please, go and listen to that debut album which is an amazing spacey journey that every single person I know who has listened to it, has had a positive experience.

But this time I am here to review a single entitled "Moon Mirror" which was released on December of the same 2015, a single that can be listened and downloaded via their bandcamp site, by the way. This track also speaks about the universe, the stars, the moon, it also brings that sci-fi feeling to our minds so despite it is a short song one can easily enjoy it. However, I must say that this is my least favorite ALS song so far, which does not mean is bad or something, not at all, but I hadn't felt that love at first sight I had with the songs from their debut album. Now I am looking forward to hear their upcoming album, which I truly believe will make me smile and feel proud of these great Mexican guys.

Now don't pay attention to my rating, because as a reviewer I have my "own rules" which don't allow me to rate releases under 20 minutes with more than 2 stars, unless it is the EP or single of my life.

Enjoy it!

 Walking on an Earthlike Planet by ALPHA LIGHTING SYSTEM album cover Studio Album, 2015
3.61 | 9 ratings

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Walking on an Earthlike Planet
Alpha Lighting System Crossover Prog

Review by memowakeman
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

4 stars Review originally written for: www.therocktologist.com

It is amazing how a band this young has created such a big album!

Alpha Lighting System is a new Mexican band which I discovered last year while looking for some albums in a store, I saw their album and feel attracted by its cover art, but mainly by a sticker which mentioned that the album had been produced by the same Billy Sherwood, so I did not hesitate and bought it and man, my first reaction while listening to it was "whaaaat?, this is wonderful", so I contacted the band via Facebook and later attended to one of their shows, a show that left me speechless because it was clear that the musicians are equally good as composers and as performers.

This trio of really young guys is composed by Alam Hernández, Jaco Jácome and Joshua San Martin, complemented in their live shows by Juan Gabriel Hernández (Alam's father) who is also a great musician and person. They managed to contact Billy Sherwood, sharing him their sound and concept and as far as I know, he said yes without blinking and participated in the production of Walking on an Earhtlike Planet, their album debut, released on August 2015, which features six songs and a total time of 55 minutes, a progressive rock album that blends its symphonic, space and metal sides, with a concept behind the music, a futuristic concept that talks about a man named Brian Nicole who was chosen to be part of Project 8, a project that collects the most intelligent people in the world and takes them to a planet called Suspiria. So please, besides enjoying the amazing music, pay attention to the lyrics and enjoy this musical sci-fi novel.

The album starts with "Polar Shifts Due to the Change of the Gravitational Pull of the Sun", what a title. A song that soon become one of my preferred here because it is the introduction to the story, and also because since the first moments I could notice that this trio has exquisite talent that I am sure will lead them to further places and successful moments. What first caught my attention was the sound of keyboards, totally in the progressive rock vein, sometimes reminding me of some Neo Prog acts and sometimes some metal oriented ones. The song has also great guitar solos and wonderful bass notes that are always greatly complemented by the drums. Complex, intelligent, challenging, a wonderful song without a doubt.

"A Place Like Home" has a catchier sound, however what I love from this track is that the lyrics are divided in two voices: first The Narrator and later Brian Nicole (the main character), however I must be honest and say that I discovered it until I read the lyrics on the booklet, because actually the two voices are sung by the same main singer, Alam, so maybe a different main singer for a different character would have been better. The song has a softer sound, friendlier and catchy as I've already said, however with the minutes it becomes more and more interesting as well as more complex and addictive. "Blaring Space" is the shortest song with only four minutes. It is like an intermission, a visual track whose spacey sounds will immediately make put images on your mind, it is like a dream, like the same Brian Nicole says.

"The Arrival" is an excellent track, it is crucial on the history and musically it brings one of the most wonderful guitar solos of the albums (minute 5), made of course by Joshua San Martin. Another think I love of Alpha Lighting System is that they get better and better while the minutes pass; for instance in this track the first part did not make me fall in love immediately, but from that solo until the very end I felt trapped under a salad of sounds and floating on a musical universe full of addictive particles.

"Building at 360 Mph" is the longest composition, reaching the 15-minute mark. As you can imagine, here the band delight us with a magnificent blend of elements, musical styles, atmospheres, nuances and textures. It is evident they have developed an own sound and have manage to give the listener an intelligent work of art , which means, at least to me, that they have the potential to become one of the most successful Mexican prog rock bands ever (I am not exaggerating, and I really hope they keep this amazing work). Well, returning to the song, I think with this track they reach the climax of greatness, making me feel terribly excited by the sound, the story and the high expectations I have on them. There are a lot of changes here, so be prepared to a rollercoaster of sounds and emotions made by a young promising band that will make some noise in the near future. You will remember these words.

Last but not least it comes "Side Effect" which believe me, is a superb composition. First class art-rock, progressive rock with a clear modern sound, a blend of symphonic rock with spacey atmospheres and some heavier, metal-oriented tunes. The band has a truly gifted sense of composition, there are no forced passages, all flow and progress naturally in spite of the countless changes in rhythm and mood. Musically they are excellent, each one in their respective instrument doing what they love, that's the formula to success, they complement each other and create a solid song that finishes a truly solid album from a (again) promising band.

This is a wonderful debut, maybe the vocals are their weakest side because I think none of them is a true singer, but well, it does not affect my listening pleasure, because I have been, am and will be happy with this album every single time I listen to it. Congratulations!

Enjoy it!

Thanks to evolver for the artist addition. and to memowakeman for the last updates

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