HONTZ GAUA

HAIZEA was another one of those basque groups that I usually prefer to most of the spanish bands since they are lacking the flamenco element which is not so much "my cup of tea". Their debut Hontz Gaua was quite a impressing one showing great diversity and some nice features.

The opener Anderea is probably the weakest one of the five songs although being not really bad. It's actually a nice folk song with acoustic guitar and beautiful vocals by Amaia more in the tradition of american folk like Joan Baez. Egunarn Hastapena is more in a psychedelic folksy vein with flute, percussion, acoustic guitar and I clearly can hear some sort of cello that's actually not listed in the line- up as well a violin. Staying most of the time in a quite atmospheric mood it has a short up- tempo and more cheerful section at the end. Argizagi Ederra is a very quiet and mesmerizing piece sounding a bit influenced by spiritual Asian music with some rather odd acoustic guitar. Amaki is the only up-tempo song and in my view together with the last one the highlight of the album. It's an instrumental one with electric guitar and great drum-work. The final title track which is the longest one with almost 15 minutes is a great quite diverse composition.Starting with a Gregorian chanting it continues with acoustic guitar, flute, percussion and some wordless vocals in a nice very soft vein. Then there is a quite weird and psychedelic section with moaning and guitar almost in the best RIO tradition. Finally it calms down again to a soft vein with cello and flute combined with beautiful vocals. Really an awesome and impressing track!

SUMMARY

I'd like to say that this album is an excellent one and very close to a masterpiece.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED to anyone looking for an original Prog in the folkish vein!!