ELECTRIC ASTURIAS: FRACTALS

Some artists or groups can change its artistic identity once in a while, and this is the case of Asturias. I'd infer that they developed two different musicalities, the acoustic one, present on the majority of their discography, and the electric one, responsible for some albums (Fractals, Elementals, Trinity and part of Missing Piece of my Life; I didn't hear all the discography, but I went on to know at least half of its 13 discs). In both expressions the tunes are composed in a similar way. But there's something about electric instruments that IMO can be a lot more captivating than acoustic instruments: the first one's have much more options on the execution of the compositions.

But this is not the only difference that makes me almost assure that the electric version of this band will appeal much more to prog rock fans. On the works realeased under the moniker Electric Asturias, all musicians and specially violinist Tei Sena are developing complex and vibrating harmonies. Back to Fractals, the pieces are all instrumental. Another feature I'm truly fond of is a generous presence of lyric, fast and charming piano tunes and background sonority.

The way the compositions give plenty of space to piano and violin shows these artist's dexterity to execute low and high tones, slow and fast movements. If the listener wants to verify for itself, I recommend the third track, the longest one, called Castle in the Mist (with some great guitar solos, too), and the second half of the fifth track, Silent Tears + Cybertransmission.

About the cover of this album, its a powerful and unforgettable visual identity which is repeated on Elementals and Trinity.

I give this work a 4,3 score, on a 5 star scale.