DEPOIS DO FIM

BACAMARTE hails from Brazil and released this one album back in 1983 (although a second album would eventually emerge in 1999) which is a strange year indeed for such symphonic prog treat like DEPOIS DO FIM (After the end) when new wave and classic metal were ruling the musical roost and sophisticated music like this was certainly not the norm. The band was one of those latecomers to the prog game in the late 70s and exemplifies a whole plethora of influences from earlier 70s prog bands. As the story goes this album was recorded way back in 1978 and it definitely sounds like a 70s album. The band leader and founder Mario Neto decided that when this was recorded it wasn't the right time to let it out into a world intoxicated by the hypnotic and simplified world of disco and punk. They in effect sat on it and didn't release it for a several years when Neto was finally convinced to unleash his masterpiece to the public. He submitted it to a local radio station in Rio de Janeiro and the rest is history. The album has been lauded by proggers since its release and for good reason. It really is a compelling and outstanding slice of symphonic prog.

Despite being a product of South America there is little to reveal its geographical origins for it sounds like an album that could have easily been manufactured in Rome or Naples or Milan. This is pastoral symphonic prog of the Genesis type but wrapped in that Italian touch for making it romantic and classically infused with Spanish guitars and Romance language splendor of the PFM or Banco camp. The guitar runs are very Yes inspired that are of the Steve Howe type and splendiferous melodies that remind me of Renaissance with beautiful keyboards and the lovely vocals of Jane Duboc. The music just holds together very well and all the tracks just float on by never getting dull for one moment despite the album never really having a radically different sound than the influences that contribute to its whole. At first listen I didn't really hear the big deal behind what makes this so special but after a few it presented itself in a different light. The sum of the parts that make it take on a new mojo that leaves a satisfying feel to the whole thing. I have succumbed to the insipid charm of DEPOIS DO FIM and find myself loving this album more each time I give it a spin.