EL DIA DE LA TORMENTA

Unfairly frequently dismissed simply for being such a complete change in sound from their minor- classic hard-rocking proto-prog debut (although it was late to that game by arriving in 1974!), Spanish band The Storm, formed by brothers 'ngel (guitars) and drummer Diego Ruiz, delivered a tasteful and reliable follow-up `El Dia de la Tormenta' (`The Day of the Storm') in 1979 that actually has plenty going for it. The band switched back over to their native Spanish language and headed in more of a `proggier' direction, and they ended up offering a set of highly melodic dreamy rock tracks, pleasing ballads and even some gentle symphonic instrumental pieces on this more than worthwhile follow-up.

`Este Mundo' is a cool opening rocker full of atmosphere and pensive mood, with plenty of whirring keyboard variety and bashing drums throughout, and although not quite as heavy blasting as the debut, there's still a welcome grunt to the guitars that instantly calls to mind that first album, given an extra touch of bite during the solos. `La luz de tu voz' is a slow-burn rocker with nice floating synths and a sweetly grumbling tone to the guitars, but the standout spot is a repeating infectious chorus where the lead voice soars with confidence.

The band definitely play their prog-card on `Saeta ensayo (1st Parte)', a lightly proggy instrumental that probably wouldn't have sounded out of place on the Camel albums of the same later Seventies period. A slow fade-in reveals crisp guitar runs chugging in unison alongside fanciful synth themes, with the lightest of dance-like flavours to the drumbeats to help it maintain an infectious and up- tempo energy the whole time, and there's plenty of wailing soloing throughout.

So enjoyable is the close of the first side that the band kick right back in with a second run at `Saeta ensayo, and `2nd Parte' reprises similar moments but also slows down for some more powerful gutsier spots, but before too long it's all galloping riff guitars soloing madly alongside frantic synth wig-outs. The freewheeling and joyful `Lejos de la Civilizacion' is a lightweight but spirited pop-rocker, and `Desde el mar y las Eestrellas' is tougher but holds a firm romantic quality with epic guitar soloing straight to the heart around the warmest of humming synths, and just listen to the sweetly murmuring bass throughout! Closer `El dia de la Tormenta' is simply another pop- rocker, the highlight being some almost trilling reprising synth-pop breaks from the keyboards.

The Storm would fold soon after this album, and sadly this second release is completely overshadowed by the hard-rocking debut (although that one's reputation is well deserved!). Because `El Dia de la Tormenta' has such a strong `pop' melodicism throughout it will likely be a bit too easily dismissed by stuffier proggers, but it retains a great dignity with strong vocals, intelligent and restrained yet dynamic playing and easy to enjoy rock tunes given light prog touches. It actually shows a lot more depth, variety and thought than the debut, and it just might be (whisper it!) the better of their two albums!

Absolutely a three and a half star album well worth the listen for the more forgiving of prog fans. A great album!