QUANTUM PHASE TRANSITION

AND ANOTHER GEM FROM THE OVERLOOKED CURRENT SPANISH PROG!

"Ekzilo was born with my first compositions in 2017. After searching for musicians (from Lorca, the region of Murcia, close to Andalucia) who could help to develop this project, the original line-up was formed and our first demos were recorded with these musicians. All of this became Ekzilo's first album, released in 2020, it is a kind of demo, the seed that Ekzilo created, everything was leading to our new album 4 years later. After this first experience the ideal line-up finally took shape: Angel Veas on bass (an experienced rock musician who played in numerous metal bands), Abel Tudela on drums (a music teacher who played in rock and jazz groups, and has been part of several flamenco formations), Paula Rodríguez (a piano teacher) on keyboards and vocals, and me, José Ruiz, on electric ? and flamenco guitar. About the flamenco, I've been playing this since I was a child. I started with local teachers and then studied with Antonio Piñana, with whom I was part of his flamenco group for many years. Later I combined my studies in harmony and music, and he was an official guitarist at many festivals. I have dedicated many years to accompanying guitar and have accompanied several important names. But all those years I have always combined flamenco with performing rock and jazz music, and playing the electric guitar. Our second album Quantum Phase Transiton marks a great leap in terms of production and the evolution of the band. The influences are now very varied, from Pink Floyd and Al DiMeola to Triana, Opeth and King Crimson, and more, I think that, above all, our music reflects all the music that has come to us from past and present generations". Band bio delivered by founding member Jose Ruiz via e-mail.

After their promising eponymous debut album from 2020 (an interesting blend of 70s symphonic rock, flamenco and Rock Andaluz), it took 4 years for Ekzilo to produce this new album. It was worth waiting because from the first track you can hear the huge progress in writing compositions, with a stunning variety and lots of adventurous musical ideas.

Patibulum (9:10) : This mid-long composition contains frequently shifting moods, with elements from Riverside, Porcupine Tree, Pink Floyd and Pendragon but with an own touch. The interplay is amazing and the music delivers lots of tension and dynamics. From a slow rhythm with a catchy beat and dreamy English vocals to a heavy outburst with surprising grunt vocals and thunderous drums. From a spacey synthesizer solo to dreamy with slow and intense guitar work. And finally a catchy mid-tempo with soaring Hammond. Ezikilo waste no time to show their huge progress, I am impressed.

La Fábrica De Barro (6:25) : The focus is on a tight beat, a swinging bass, and catchy work on piano and guitar, in a cheerful atmosphere. The interplay is strong and powerful, with sparkling piano and propulsive rhythm-section. In between the climate changes into bombastic with spectacular synthesizer work, and lush Hammond. This band can rock, and swing, and what a tight and strong unit.

Dunas (9:09) : This is the most accessible and melodic composition but with subtle shifting moods, the Neo-Prog from Marillion and Pendragon comes to my mind, embellished with a sensitive guitar solo, soaring Hammond, and backed by a dynamic rhythm-section. In the final part a synthesizer joins the main theme, culminating into a wonderful conclusion.

Brujería (9:13) : Wow, what an awesome tribute to the 70s 'symphonic jazz rock' sound from Al DiMeola (I love his Elegant Gipsy era, and have seen him 3 times on stage), especially the first part featuring powerful guitar (with the distinctive Al DiMeola 'palm muted picking' technique) and amazing interplay, and topped with swirling Hammond, sparkling piano and Rock Andaluz guitar. Halfway a short but captivating break with propulsive drum beats, and synthesizer bleeps. Then a flamenco guitar solo piece (including the rasgueado technique), culminating in a mid-tempo beat with an exciting Rock Andaluz atmosphere. Listening to this amazing composition I am blown away by the skills and musical ideas of this band, what a huge musical potential, another wow!

Evolution (18:50) : This alternating and dynamic epic composition contains lots of intersting musical ideas, and frequently changing atmospheres. From a slow rhythm with fiery guitar runs and sparkling keyboards to bombastic, both topped with grunt vocals. From an ominous atmosphere with Pink Floyd echoes to an interlude with the focus on distorted guitar work. From an orchestral part to a spacey synthesizer solo. From an interlude with soff bass runs, piano and Floydian guitar to a jazzy electric piano solo. And from a mid-tempo with moving guitar solo and swinging rhythm-section to a spectacular synthesizer solo with exciting use of the pitchbend button. In the end the climate is bombastic with the stunning 'tapping guitar' sound, backed by a thunderous rhythm-section, you cannot beg for more thrilling variety.

Epílogo (1:56) : The final track is a short instrumental with mellow guitar overdubs, and strong flamenco undertones.

What a stunning progress this promising new Spanish prog band has made, what a captivating musical adventure, and so many skills and ideas. This music needs a few listening sessions to get into, but if you are up to the huge variety and many interesting musical ideas I highly recommend this new Ekzilo album!

P.s.: Other interesting current Spanish prog and Rock Andaluz bands: Qamar and Sherish, Randy Lopez, Arabiga, Taifa, Anairt, the awesome Periplo project by Juan Antonio Vergara (the mastermind behind the Spanish prog label 5Lunas), The Flying Caravan, Malabriega, Enric Pascual, and the amazing Derby Motoreta's Burrito Kachimba.

Social review comments

Review related links

• Send comments to TenYearsAfter
• Report this review (#3189247)
• Buy EKZILO music online with PA partners
• Show all EKZILO MP3/Stream
• Go to EKZILO page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Quantum Phase Transition page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for EKZILO related discussions