VIVA BELICE

Daddy Antogna was the drummer on legendary Argentine prog band Ave Rock their Hammond drenched eponymous album. Then he was involved in many musical projects, until he got an accident, resulting in a paraplegia from the hips so he needed a wheelchair. But thanks to a long and intensive rehabilitation Daddy Antogna succeeded to play drums again, on a custom build drum kit. What an incredible determined musician!

On this debut album from 2009 four piece formation Daddy Antogna Y Los De Helio is accompanied by guest musicans on violin, accordeon, zampona, keyboards, percussion and violincello. The music is very adventurous and varied progressive rock, loaded with surprising shifting moods and a wide range of instruments. The first track Frascos Tendidos starts with heavy guitar riffs, then an atmospheric interlude and finally fiery electric guitar and thunderous drums.

That combination of heavy guitar and a propulsive and powerful rhythm section is an element in many songs, but the other moment the band easily delivers ambient-like sound collages. And influences from legendary prog - and rock bands are blended with strong own musical ideas.

Obvious hints from Eighties and Nineties King Crimson in the titletrack.

A dreamy Floydian atmosphere with harder-edged guitar in Colapsa.

And a Led Zeppelin inspired guitar riff, along accordeon and finally a blistering guitar in Al-Carreta.

As a huge and strong contrast with the heavy guitar and propulsive drums this album is concluded with a hypnotizing climate featuring warm accordeon in Veronica D., simply beautiful.

Daddy Antogna and his band made a progrock album in the genuine tradition, with adventure and variety. Unfortunately it turned out to be their only effort.

My rating: 3,5 star.