GAMADION

In Zacatecas, Mexico around mid-90's was formed a new group called Retrospectiva by Eduardo "Chino" Morones, his brother and keyboardist Mario Morones, drummer Aldo Corvera and a musician named Samuel.A year later a singer under the name Sheila completed the original line-up, but soon both Sheila and Samuel quit and the reamaining trio changes its name to Arbatel.Many years and concerts later ''Chino'' also left the group and was replaced by Omar Morones on bass and Raul Morones on guitars.This Arbatel quartet recorded and released the group's debut ''Gamadion'' in 2004, reissued a year later on Mylodon and featuring a couple of guest singers and Jose Benitez on violin and viola.

This is complex Symphonic Rock with a high level of technique but most impressive is the fact that Arbatel sounded extremely close to dark Italian Prog bands.Hints of IL BALLETTO DI BRONZO, MUSEO ROSENBACH and ALPHATAURUS are all over the place.Even more surprising, singers Cristina Peralta and Paolo Bruno even sing in Italian for a moment!Musically the first half of the album is dominant, powerful, extremely rich and all instrumental Italian-flavored Symphonic Rock with a Heavy Prog overdose, proposed mainly in long and multi-parted arrangements.The style of the band is based on energetic Hammond organ, sharp moog synths and even mournful church organs, supported by attacking and powerful guitar moves and a solid rhythm section.A small dose of melodies also appears among the endless but really adventurous interplays.The second part, although musically does not feature any really strong changes, contains also some vocals split in Spanish and Italian.However the sound is a bit more flexible, like on the Prog/Fusion ''Tu che sei'', which has some very nice violin drives in the vein of PREMIATA FORNERIA MARCONI of the ''Chocolate kings'' era or the long closer ''Xolotl'' (which appears at the start of the album but this is its vocal version), which contains an interesting middle part with a jazzy aura.Highlights of the album are definitely the vintage organ moves, the professional instrumental passages and the haunting, orchestral intros and outros on several tracks.

This is as close to Classic Italian Prog as it gets.And it is played with talent and passion.Recommended for all lovers of rich Progressive Rock, sinister Italian Prog and complex Symphonic Rock...3.5 stars.