REGRESA AL VÉRTIGO

Do you want great prog metal?

Then I urge you to turn your head to Mexico, because in this side of the globe you will find high-class bands that have nothing to ask to the big names such as Symphony X or Dream Theater. When you listen to Agora, you will really understand what I mean. Well, this Mexican band has been around for more than ten years, composing and playing in a constant way, in order to produce new music that is reaching more and more listeners with the pass of the time. In 2011 they released their latest studio album which is entitled "Regresa al vertigo", a record that features eleven compositions that make a total time of 54 minutes.

It opens with "0100101101000010", which is a one-minute introductory track with a space metal sound. It leads to "Hombre máquina" whose five minutes are full of power, energy and a heavy sound. Here we can appreciate the skills of the band, the musicianship is excellent and since this track I can strengthen what I mentioned above, that Agora can easily compete with the best known prog metal acts. Though the resemblance of Dream Theater, Symphony X,Queensryche or even Ayreon may be evident, Agora are by no means a copycat band, not at all, they do have their own sound, maybe inspired by those older bands, but original nonetheless.

"Víctima" has a symphonic power-metal sound. The guitars are fast as well as the bass and drums, while there is always a nice keyboard cover as background. The vocals are great, very metal-like, ad hoc for this kind of music. After three minutes there is a great instrumental passage where both keyboards and guitar show off their skills making some solos. I bet if you like prog metal, you will feel in heaven while listening to this. "Asesino de almas" has a fast but catchy beginning with a repetitive structure, then a brief guitar riff appears and seconds later vocals join, along with a good bass sound and nice keyboards that create cool nuances. The music is never boring, it is constantly inviting you to belong to their realm, and not to feel uninterested on it, just like happens to me with some other prog metal bands.

"En la nada" is a bit shorter, and it has a few introductory seconds with piano and acoustic guitar, that later will disappear in order to open the gates to the powerful sound. The compositional skills of the band are very good, the song is complex, with some changes and with a cool implement of emotions. Here, the technique is not the only important thing. After three minutes there is a nice change, the music slows down and with piano creates a delicate sound, that later will vanish, so the original structure returns.

"Regresa al vertigo" represents the title of the album, and the lyrics go perfect with the music. Here the rhythm is even faster, closer to power metal but without leaving the prog tendency. There are some minor changes in the track, but it has mostly the same powerful sound. "No hay paso atrás" has a great rhythm and wonderful lyrics. I love the bass lines and in my opinion, the work of the keyboardist is essential during this whole track, and actually, in the whole album because it produces the most accurate atmospheres, nuances and backgrounds, and of course, good solos when required

"Siluetas en el aire" has a softer sound, the voice is delicate, the rhythm is mid-tempo and the feeling is really light, showing the ballad-like side of Agora. Once again, the keyboard atmosphere is wonderful, and here I would like to highlight also the bass lines. After 1:40 the music changes, turns a bit heavier but with emotional. There is also an electronic tune created by keyboards. "Oscuridad" is a short instrumental track with only two minutes length. It is great, and could be perfectly used for any movie trailer.

It leads to "Días de sombra" which starts with piano and with that tense feeling the previous piece left. Seconds later drums and strings enter and keep with that nervous atmosphere. What I like of this band is how they intercalate the instrumental passages with the ones with voice, they know how to make them flow without force them, so the listener has only to put attention and let the music do the rest. The guitar work is great, both in the rhythm and solo faces; the bass lines are always good, drums fast and powerful, emotional vocals and magnificent keyboards.

The album finishes with "1000 futuros" which is the longest song, reaching the seven minute mark. It starts soft but right away the power comes and progresses little by little. We can find different textures here, some changes in mood and tempo, and great musicianship as always. The final minutes are great, with a sense of goodbye, vocals singing wooo ooh ooh oh while guitar riffs and a great structure are built. Great finisher!

Well, this is a very solid album by Agora, and I insist, look to this side of the globe because you will find first-class music, this time, with a prog metal tendency.

Enjoy it!

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