LUZ & TREVAS

Chronos Mundi was an apparently little-known Brazilian trio that released just the one album, Luz e Trevas, in 1999. The band consisted of Alexandre Maraslis (keyboards, guitars), Robson Bertolossi Jr (bass, vocals, guitars) and Gustavo Voigt (drums). Their music has a largely pastoral feel and is highly melodic, much in the tradition of the many fine symphonic bands from Brazil. There's also a little bit of a Genesis influence, circa Trespass. The album is comprised of 7 tracks, 4 main songs and 3 short instrumental pieces.

The brief opening piece, Intro, is an ambient soundscape of electronic effects that gradually builds and segues into the title track. This in its turn is a complex piece that comprises many changes of tempo and mood, and these two pieces combined get the album off to a promising start. The album takes a bit of a dip with the next couple of tracks, the 4-part song Nasce a Semente, and the short acoustic instrumental Thermo. Nasce a Semente doesn't lack variety but it's interesting rather than excellent, while Thermo is no more than an unremarkable little interlude. Fortunately the album finishes strongly with two top-notch songs, Forest Valley and D(xi), which are interspersed by the miniscule orchestral pastiche of Symphonic. Forest Valley is a lovely pastoral ballad featuring acoustic guitar and willowy synthesizer, and its English lyrics don't seem out of place alongside the other Portuguese- language songs on the album. D(xi) is a 7-part suite containing some spoken-word vocals and an extended guitar solo reminiscent of Steve Hackett, a definite highlight. All three musicians are skilful if not virtuosos and the songs are structured well, although the sound is perhaps a bit thin at times as there's little multi-tracking or overdubbing. There's nothing here to really get the pulse racing and there are a couple of weaker tracks in the middle of the album. However all the tracks flow together nicely and there are some quality songs, including a couple of real high notes to finish. Recommended to fans of mellow, melodic symphonic prog.