KOIAK

Koiak is yet another living proof of the incredible potential of energy and warmth that Chile continually offers to the World of prog. This instrumental quintet's sound is based on the robust confluence of Crimsonian legacy, jazz-fusion (especially inspired by Latin-jazz), psychedelia and folk-prog. In many ways this band sounds pretty much related to their compatriot bands Mar de Robles and Ergo Sum, with a reasonable dose of Akinetón Retard-like insanity. The album's material was recorded live at a Valaparaiso gig, which only adds extra credit to the band's proficiency both as a whole ensemble and individually. It also means that the sonic delivery is a bit uneven in places, but this minor detail doesn't affect the album's artistic value. Rocking energy and celebratory aura are the two main nuclei on which the band's musical skeleton is formed: the former is preferentially based on Agosin's abrasive guitar playing and the latter is provided simultaneously by the dual percussions' drive and the flute lines. The opener 'Obertura' is very carnival-oriented, with 'Sífilis' becoming the band's true presentation of their musical essence to the listener: acid heavy guitars, solid rhythm section, clean flute deliveries, all of them comprised in varying moods fluidly organized. Further on, '5+4+7' will display a similar concept, albeit with an added touch of funky vibe. 'Abismo' (one of the longest tracks) gets started with an introspective mood, extravagantly ornamented with spacey guitar effects. From minute 3 things become more enthusiastically driven toward a mixture of heavy prog and Latin-jazz, with the final passage bringing a peculiar Santana-meets-Crimson climax. 'Nueva Órbita' and 'Odisea' (also among the longest tracks in the album) bring other highlights. The former offers a disturbing ambience similar to that of 'Abismo', only somewhat enhanced by the louder guitar deliveries and the reinforcement of the ethnic aspect in the woodwind department. The latter is bears a more prominent presence of fusion elements, but also contains a number of rockier passages in order to keep things effectively explosive. 'Zandunga' is arguably the most fusion-focused track, with its heavy African-Tropical tones. The closer 'Postludio' is just a brief reprise 'Obertura', ending the album in a pertinent celebratory mood. Koiak really deserves to be appreciated as many other Chilean avant-prog bands are: hopefully, their debut album won't be their last.