SUMERIOS

"FIRST REVIEW OF THIS ALBUM"

Back to 1994 for the roots of this Mexican formation, when 4 friends wants to make progressive rock. They found the band Retrospectivo and play covers from King Crimson, Pink Foyd, Yes and Le Orme. After several changes in the line- up the name is changed into Arbatel (based on a book by the alchemist Agripa) and the members decide to compose their own material. On festivals Arbatel plays along progrock bands Omni from Spain and Latin American Akineton Retard, Entrance, Matraz en het Jaime Rosas Trio. In 2004 the band releases their debut CD entitled Gamadion and Arbatel continues to perform on festivals: in 2006 with known names like Nektar, Marillion, Lazuli and Arte E mestieri and one year later with Classic Italian Prog legend Il Balletto Di Bronzo.

In 2008 Arbatel release their second CD entitled Sumerios, on the Chilean progrock label Mylodon, the band have extended to a six piece formation, including a male and female singer. Well, Rosario Maza Hernández her opera-like soprano vocal contributions will not be everybody's cup of tea but it's a daring experiment by Arbatel. In general the songs sound fluent and swinging, fuelled by a Seventies sound with the strong interplay between the keyboards (often Hammond but also synthesizer and piano), flowing guitar work (Hackett-like solo in Creación Del Obrero Primitivo) and a dynamic rhythm-section. Very special is the opener Alabanza featuring an ethnic climate with spoken words and tabla percussion.

Mexican Arbatel succeeded to make a nice blend between Classic prog and own ideas on this second effort.

My rating: 3,5 star.

3.5 stars. ARBATEL were from Mexico releasing two studio albums in the 00's including this one called "Sumerios" their second from 2008. It was recorded at Decibel Vega Studios in 2007. While the debut had some guest vocals they add both a male and female singer this time out making them a six piece here. The female singers name is Rosario Maza Hernadez and she is the lead vocalist. And she may make or break this album for a lot of people. A soprano singer, but she also narrates, talks, shouts, you name it. Very entertaining but I'm not sold by a long shot.

There's a quote on the back cover from Gianni Leone from IL BALLETTO DI BRONZO but it's in Spanish. He does mention this album by name though so I'm sure it's simply a recommendation of the music. A lot of people mention RPI with this band. Perhaps it's the keyboards. There was guest violin on the debut but none here. The keyboards do dominate along with the upfront drumming. And no the production is far from perfect but acceptable. Lots of organ, synths and piano here. The bass is good, and I do like the drumming. Guitar is well done.

It's funny that almost all written reviews for both of their albums give 3.5 stars but click that 3 stars. We all like the music but there's issues. I looked forward to spinning this each time though but Rosario often brought me back down to earth. We get nine tracks worth over 43 minutes. My favourite being the 3 minute second track which perhaps just sounds so good because that opener leaves a lot to be desired. I mean it's good, but ethnic percussion and wordless female vocals lead the way until she narrates to end it. So then comes track two and that upfront bass before a full sound arrives along with wordless vocals. It's like the first half of it is repeated on the second half.

We get soprano female vocals on that third tune but she keeps it restrained. A surprising calm with piano around 3 1/2 minutes in. I say that because all before that is fast paced. "Marduk" is organ led and Jon Lord comes to mind for sure here. Active drumming and female vocals. Some nice guitar at 2 1/2 minutes.

"Base Espacial Ki" is the longest song at over 7 1/2 minutes. I like the samples but not her whispered words. The atmosphere that follows is cool. It kicks in around 3 /2 minutes with the organ leading. Male vocals(a rare thing) are countered by the female shouting and being dramatic. Kind of like Arlette from FULANO but Rosario is not in the same league, but then who is. She's straining here at times. Male and female are talking to each other on the next song before it turns instrumental.This is a good one. Some intensity, then a CAMEL vibe around 4 1/2 minutes.

I do like that closer but in the end this record is just too hit and miss to go 4 stars. But "Sumerios" has it's fans, check it out!