October Equus - s/t - Progressive Rock Music Forum

OCTOBER EQUUS - October Equus 2006

A Spanish band which will soon release a new album. They have released a very good avant-rock album in their s/t 2006 album, inspired by Univers Zero and King Crimson (as I hear it).

Here is some of the stuff people wrote on them (including the bio from here in PA):

People TALKS: -'October Equus is a brand new instrumental prog rock band from Spain, whose debut self-titled album is a rich and complex display of serious chops and promising compositional skills. While the band makes no bones about hiding their influences-you can hear plenty of references to King Crimson, Gentle Giant, Univers Zero, Hatfield & the North, Van Der Graaf Generator, and National Health, they sure know how to create music that sounds fresh and exciting.' Pete Pardo, Sea of Tranquility

-'Heavy dark and a touch of evil is how I like my prog served up and October Equus ladles it up just perfectly... ...Highly recommended.' The Laser's Edge

-' New Spanish band making their debut recording here, and a really good one it is. This is dark, but not overbearingly so, and heavy all instrumental avant-progressive rock, performed on guitar, keyboards, bass and drums. I can hear touches of some of the heavier Italian 70's bands in the keyboards and overall influences from early Present, zeuhl, Pochakaite Malko and more. This is an extremely promising debut. ' Wayside Music

-'...Ontalva's leads capture an intensity reserved for the best of progressive rock somewhere between Steve Vai, Roger Trigaux and Phil Miller. Keyboardist and other main composer Victor Rodríguez has worked out joint arrangements which support both intricate melodic patches as well as discordant segues that are impressive and passionate... ...The group is simply one of the best finds in the RIO space this year ...' Jeff Melton, Pregressive Land

PA bio:

OCTOBER EQUUS is definitely one of Spain’s most pleasant in the world of prog and avant-garde rock nowadays. Formed in 2003, its well-catalyzed mixture of KING CRIMSON-inspired vibe and PRESENT-inspired ballsy RIO recreates the oppressive moods and sinister atmospheres of avant-garde prof’s primal sources with amazing vitality and freshness, not unlike other contemporary acts such as DR. NERVE and HAPPY FAMILY, to mention just a couple of examples. You can also find, as it is reasonable, influences from contemporary chamber and jazz-rock. Their official eponymous debut album has been receiving acclaims all across the Internet through the year 2006, its punch and complexity being the most featured items in reviews. Two years before this release, the band had recorded and released a free demo titled “Hydra”, distributed only among attendants at their concerts. The repertoire was the same, but set in a different order and using an electronic drum kit instead of an acoustic one.

Until early 2006 the line-up had consisted of Ángel ONTALVA (guitar), Víctor RODRÍGUEZ (keyboards), Amanda PAZOS (bass) and Txema FERNÁNDEZ (drums). But RORDRÍGUEZ and FERNÁNDEZ left the band since then, so ONTALVA and PAZOS - the founding members - are in search of new recruitments while continuing to write and arrange new material.

Recommended to fans of KC, PRESENT, UNIVERS ZERO, MAGMA, and generally speaking, to those who fervently love their prog dissonant, challenging and loud.

::: Written by Cesar Inca Mendoza Loyola :::

Listen to them here:

http://www.myspace.com/octoberequus

http://www.octoberequus.com/

The two PA reviews:

OCTOBER EQUUS — October Equus

Review by Cesar Inca (César Inca Mendoza Loyola)
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Symphonic Prog Specialist

4%20stars An awesome debut album by a Spanish band that is already more than just a mere promise: October Equus revelas itself as a mature avant-garde prog force with its outstanding eponymous album. Lovers of the rockier side of RIO (Present, early 80s- Univers Zero Happy Family) and the rougher side of King Crimson should not miss this 2006 gem. The repertoire is full of sinister, thanatic motifs, moods and counterpoints, usually with Ontalva’s guitar taking center stage while Rodríguez’s keyboards lay disturbing orchestrations and ambiences (mixing Univers Zero and Gentle Giant, at least, that’s how it sounds to me): all this stands solidly sustained by a rhythm section that moves proficiently all through the complex dynamics of all ten tracks. The opener ‘Lupus in Fabula’ bears a dark, intrepid feel, which restlessly defies the listener from second 1: the band invites the listener to take it or leave it right away, without delay or compromise. This opener is really powerful, although it is probably the sequence of tracks 2-7 that will call for the attention of the empathetic listener. This sequence conforms the namesake suite, occupying 32 minutes of the repertoire. The foursome allow themselves to explore a variety of moods while keeping a very clear focus on the kind of sonic resources that they constantly stick to. ‘Fields of Mars’ and ‘Bigas’ portray a continuous oppressive storm, each one concluding with majestic mellotron-like layers that seem to rest heavily in a hellish atmosphere. ‘Sacrifice’ bears a more ceremonious aura on a languid tempo, which doesn’t stop the guitar from providing one of its most electrifying solos in the album right before the mesmerizing coda. ‘Vestals’ follows in the ceremonious vein, but this time with more sinister nuances. ‘Head of the Winner’ bring back the oppressive frenzy of the first two sections, adding an enhanced incandescence to it, and even some occasional joyful colors, too. Things get more obviously melancholic for the suite’s final section ‘End: On a Lance’ – the recurring main motif is really captivating: it is provided an extra majestic flavor in both the guitar leads and the versatile keyboard ornaments. The random mellotron-like layers and storm sound effects add drama to the ever present sense of oppression. The last three tracks have to face the challenge of succeeding the ambitious suite, and they manage to keep the momentum. ‘Reliqua Tempora’ begins with an inscrutable prelude that soon gives way to the intense main motif: the splendorous ending passage has little to envy from the preceding suite’s highlighting moments. ‘Minus Nihilu’ starts as a well-crafted exercise on minimalist introspection, leading to a powerful climax for its final 1 ½ minute. ‘Hydra’ closes down the album in a fashion related to the opening number, albeit with a more pronounced Crimsonian vibe. General conclusion: the “October Equus” album is a most brilliant avant-prog item. This prog genre is not too common in Spain, but definitely, October Equus prove to be an important musical force for the preservation of radical prog rock in our current times.

Posted Saturday, September 09, 2006, 20:51 EST | Permanent link

OCTOBER EQUUS — October Equus

Review by sinkadotentree (john davie)
PROG REVIEWER

4%20stars OCTOBER EQUUS is an instrumental band from Spain.They took their name from a pagan festival celebrated in ancient Rome in the middle of October after war season.On the bands first two releases, the head of a horse is on each cover,this is significant.During the festival, the two groups of people who lived in the city,would go to another city and have a chariot race,two horses per chariot.The winning teams' fastest horse was then beheaded ,and the head put on a pole.The two sides would then violently fight each other to try to get the head.The winning side would go back to the city victoriously,and mount the head in the tower or palace,where the skull would be until the next year.O.k. we all really needed to know that didn't we? The music here is very complex,there are elements of KING CRIMSON,ZAPPA,VDGG.Some 60's and 70's jazz,and of course HENRY COW and UNIVERS ZERO.The song i like the best is "End on a Lance" probably because it is the most melodic,it's a great tune,the drums sound incredible and the mellotron is flowing.There is a similar sound throughout as a result of the tone and style of the guitarist.The keyboard ,and organ player really leaves his mark on this album as well.He deserves some kind ofaward!And the interplay of this band is tremendous as would be expected from a rio/avant band.A definite Fripp sound on "Field of Mars"."Sacrifice" i find quite creepy(poor horse).Not the kind of music you would play at a family get together,but this is well played ,well thought out music, and i know we'll be hearing from them in the future.

Posted Saturday, September 23, 2006, 12:39 EST | Permanent link

Other reviews:

http://www.seaoftranquility.org/reviews.php?op=showcontent&id=3436

http://people.cs.uu.nl/jur/reviews/octoberequus.html

1. Lupus in Fabula (5:22)
2. Field of Mars (2:54)
3. Bigas (7:46)
4. Sacrifice (4:45)
5. Vestals (4:19)
6. Head of the Winner (7:17)
7. End: on a Lance (4:54)
8. Reliqua Tempora (3:43)
9. Minus Nihilo (4:49)
10. Hydra (3:59)

Total Time: 49:47

Line-up/Musicians

- Victor Rodriguez / keyboards
- Txema Fernandes / drums
- Amanda Pazos / bass
- Angel Ontalva / guitar

Releases information

CD Ma.Ra.Casch Records (2006)

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic
Man With Hat Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Collaborator Jazz-Rock/Fusion/Canterbury Team Joined: March 12 2005 Location: Neurotica Status: Offline Points: 166183	Topic: October Equus - s/t Posted: May 01 2008 at 11:59
	Seems I missed this thread during round one. Intriging band I must say. I had a friend of mine comment on a few songs and said that they souned like they'd fit right into a horror film...and I agree. Glad to hear they are releasing more.
	Dig me...But don't...Bury me I'm running still, I shall until, one day, I hope that I'll arrive Warning: Listening to jazz excessively can cause a laxative effect.

avestin Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator Joined: September 18 2005 Status: Offline Points: 12625	Posted: April 30 2008 at 22:25
	They will be releasing a new album this year through RAIG.
	Hanging Sounds PA Index of prog music vendors

avestin Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator Joined: September 18 2005 Status: Offline Points: 12625	Posted: November 08 2007 at 09:45
	OCTOBER EQUUS - October Equus 2006 A Spanish band which will soon release a new album. They have released a very good avant-rock album in their s/t 2006 album, inspired by Univers Zero and King Crimson (as I hear it). Here is some of the stuff people wrote on them (including the bio from here in PA): People TALKS: -'October Equus is a brand new instrumental prog rock band from Spain, whose debut self-titled album is a rich and complex display of serious chops and promising compositional skills. While the band makes no bones about hiding their influences-you can hear plenty of references to King Crimson, Gentle Giant, Univers Zero, Hatfield & the North, Van Der Graaf Generator, and National Health, they sure know how to create music that sounds fresh and exciting.' Pete Pardo, Sea of Tranquility -'Heavy dark and a touch of evil is how I like my prog served up and October Equus ladles it up just perfectly... ...Highly recommended.' The Laser's Edge -' New Spanish band making their debut recording here, and a really good one it is. This is dark, but not overbearingly so, and heavy all instrumental avant-progressive rock, performed on guitar, keyboards, bass and drums. I can hear touches of some of the heavier Italian 70's bands in the keyboards and overall influences from early Present, zeuhl, Pochakaite Malko and more. This is an extremely promising debut. ' Wayside Music -'...Ontalva's leads capture an intensity reserved for the best of progressive rock somewhere between Steve Vai, Roger Trigaux and Phil Miller. Keyboardist and other main composer Victor Rodríguez has worked out joint arrangements which support both intricate melodic patches as well as discordant segues that are impressive and passionate... ...The group is simply one of the best finds in the RIO space this year ...' Jeff Melton, Pregressive Land PA bio: OCTOBER EQUUS is definitely one of Spain’s most pleasant in the world of prog and avant-garde rock nowadays. Formed in 2003, its well-catalyzed mixture of KING CRIMSON-inspired vibe and PRESENT-inspired ballsy RIO recreates the oppressive moods and sinister atmospheres of avant-garde prof’s primal sources with amazing vitality and freshness, not unlike other contemporary acts such as DR. NERVE and HAPPY FAMILY, to mention just a couple of examples. You can also find, as it is reasonable, influences from contemporary chamber and jazz-rock. Their official eponymous debut album has been receiving acclaims all across the Internet through the year 2006, its punch and complexity being the most featured items in reviews. Two years before this release, the band had recorded and released a free demo titled “Hydra”, distributed only among attendants at their concerts. The repertoire was the same, but set in a different order and using an electronic drum kit instead of an acoustic one. Until early 2006 the line-up had consisted of Ángel ONTALVA (guitar), Víctor RODRÍGUEZ (keyboards), Amanda PAZOS (bass) and Txema FERNÁNDEZ (drums). But RORDRÍGUEZ and FERNÁNDEZ left the band since then, so ONTALVA and PAZOS - the founding members - are in search of new recruitments while continuing to write and arrange new material. Recommended to fans of KC, PRESENT, UNIVERS ZERO, MAGMA, and generally speaking, to those who fervently love their prog dissonant, challenging and loud. ::: Written by Cesar Inca Mendoza Loyola ::: Listen to them here: http://www.myspace.com/octoberequus http://www.octoberequus.com/ The two PA reviews: OCTOBER EQUUS — October Equus Review by Cesar Inca (César Inca Mendoza Loyola) SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Symphonic Prog Specialist An awesome debut album by a Spanish band that is already more than just a mere promise: October Equus revelas itself as a mature avant-garde prog force with its outstanding eponymous album. Lovers of the rockier side of RIO (Present, early 80s- Univers Zero Happy Family) and the rougher side of King Crimson should not miss this 2006 gem. The repertoire is full of sinister, thanatic motifs, moods and counterpoints, usually with Ontalva’s guitar taking center stage while Rodríguez’s keyboards lay disturbing orchestrations and ambiences (mixing Univers Zero and Gentle Giant, at least, that’s how it sounds to me): all this stands solidly sustained by a rhythm section that moves proficiently all through the complex dynamics of all ten tracks. The opener ‘Lupus in Fabula’ bears a dark, intrepid feel, which restlessly defies the listener from second 1: the band invites the listener to take it or leave it right away, without delay or compromise. This opener is really powerful, although it is probably the sequence of tracks 2-7 that will call for the attention of the empathetic listener. This sequence conforms the namesake suite, occupying 32 minutes of the repertoire. The foursome allow themselves to explore a variety of moods while keeping a very clear focus on the kind of sonic resources that they constantly stick to. ‘Fields of Mars’ and ‘Bigas’ portray a continuous oppressive storm, each one concluding with majestic mellotron-like layers that seem to rest heavily in a hellish atmosphere. ‘Sacrifice’ bears a more ceremonious aura on a languid tempo, which doesn’t stop the guitar from providing one of its most electrifying solos in the album right before the mesmerizing coda. ‘Vestals’ follows in the ceremonious vein, but this time with more sinister nuances. ‘Head of the Winner’ bring back the oppressive frenzy of the first two sections, adding an enhanced incandescence to it, and even some occasional joyful colors, too. Things get more obviously melancholic for the suite’s final section ‘End: On a Lance’ – the recurring main motif is really captivating: it is provided an extra majestic flavor in both the guitar leads and the versatile keyboard ornaments. The random mellotron-like layers and storm sound effects add drama to the ever present sense of oppression. The last three tracks have to face the challenge of succeeding the ambitious suite, and they manage to keep the momentum. ‘Reliqua Tempora’ begins with an inscrutable prelude that soon gives way to the intense main motif: the splendorous ending passage has little to envy from the preceding suite’s highlighting moments. ‘Minus Nihilu’ starts as a well-crafted exercise on minimalist introspection, leading to a powerful climax for its final 1 ½ minute. ‘Hydra’ closes down the album in a fashion related to the opening number, albeit with a more pronounced Crimsonian vibe. General conclusion: the “October Equus” album is a most brilliant avant-prog item. This prog genre is not too common in Spain, but definitely, October Equus prove to be an important musical force for the preservation of radical prog rock in our current times. Posted Saturday, September 09, 2006, 20:51 EST \| Permanent link OCTOBER EQUUS — October Equus Review by sinkadotentree (john davie) PROG REVIEWER OCTOBER EQUUS is an instrumental band from Spain.They took their name from a pagan festival celebrated in ancient Rome in the middle of October after war season.On the bands first two releases, the head of a horse is on each cover,this is significant.During the festival, the two groups of people who lived in the city,would go to another city and have a chariot race,two horses per chariot.The winning teams' fastest horse was then beheaded ,and the head put on a pole.The two sides would then violently fight each other to try to get the head.The winning side would go back to the city victoriously,and mount the head in the tower or palace,where the skull would be until the next year.O.k. we all really needed to know that didn't we? The music here is very complex,there are elements of KING CRIMSON,ZAPPA,VDGG.Some 60's and 70's jazz,and of course HENRY COW and UNIVERS ZERO.The song i like the best is "End on a Lance" probably because it is the most melodic,it's a great tune,the drums sound incredible and the mellotron is flowing.There is a similar sound throughout as a result of the tone and style of the guitarist.The keyboard ,and organ player really leaves his mark on this album as well.He deserves some kind ofaward!And the interplay of this band is tremendous as would be expected from a rio/avant band.A definite Fripp sound on "Field of Mars"."Sacrifice" i find quite creepy(poor horse).Not the kind of music you would play at a family get together,but this is well played ,well thought out music, and i know we'll be hearing from them in the future. Posted Saturday, September 23, 2006, 12:39 EST \| Permanent link Other reviews: http://www.seaoftranquility.org/reviews.php?op=showcontent&id=3436 http://people.cs.uu.nl/jur/reviews/octoberequus.html 1. Lupus in Fabula (5:22) 2. Field of Mars (2:54) 3. Bigas (7:46) 4. Sacrifice (4:45) 5. Vestals (4:19) 6. Head of the Winner (7:17) 7. End: on a Lance (4:54) 8. Reliqua Tempora (3:43) 9. Minus Nihilo (4:49) 10. Hydra (3:59) Total Time: 49:47 Line-up/Musicians - Victor Rodriguez / keyboards - Txema Fernandes / drums - Amanda Pazos / bass - Angel Ontalva / guitar Releases information CD Ma.Ra.Casch Records (2006)
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