THIS SONIC LANDSCAPE

Major changes in the musical style of this Mexican band. While their debut album featured some very good symphonic music tinted with light folk influences, this one is invaded by prog metal sounds. This must be a new disease, I guess.So many bands incorporating metal sounds in their works...

In this respect, "Máquina" is particularly difficult to bear. Of course, there will be some very good vocal parts (one of the major "Elfonia" attraction). When you listen to the beautiful "Soundscapes", you can only be charmed by Marcela Bovio.

This album also mark a change in the lyrics. From full Spanish ones, we'll get a bilingual effort here. Probably to attract new markets. This does not bother me and I fully understand this commercial approach. Maybe therefore, "Soundscapes" sound almost as a "Mostly Autumn" song. Anyway, only two songs will be sung in English and "Soundscapes" turns out to be one of the few highlights.

If you would like to get a combination of folk-prog metal, listen to "De Los Libros Del Tiempo". You'll be delighted. Strong vocal harmonies tinted with some heavy riffs aren't bad here. Actually, when I said that this album was invaded with metal (not even prog at times), I am maybe exaggerating in terms of percentage of this album that is fully metal which is not too much actually. But almost each song has such passages. "Cameleon" is another example. It is probably the one that holds the most hard parts of this whole work.

It might be the influence of Arjen Lucassen with whom Marcela collaborated earlier on in 2005 in the "Stream Of Passion" project. As a counterpart, he will play some guitar on "Cameleon".

This album is a bit of a disappointment in comparison with their debut. A song like "Mañana" is only saved by the excellent vocals (again). This is by far the major attraction of this confidential Mexican band. Very little touring (even if home country), almost no recent news (on their official web-site).

The second English song "Travelling" is a mellow acoustic one. Beautiful chorus but that's it. There are few great moments available on this sonic landscape. The whole of my expectations reside in the closing suite : "Gigantes".

It is a three distinctive parts song. It might not be a giant song but each piece is above average here. My favourite is the second (and longest part). Fully atmospheric and finally reminiscent of their earlier work (not that I dislike evolution). Another highlight.

Part I is a summary of this album : a combination of metal and good progressive folk music while the closing track (Part III) is another showcase for Marcela.

Three stars but I slightly rounded it up to be honest. My Mexican "roots", I guess...