ARSIS

a beautifully crafted album you should not miss ...!

It's a pity that this excellent album has not been reviewed yet by anyone. I am totally surprised with this fact as I have been for such a long time not paying particular attention to this great prog band from Mexico where at its initial years I collected all of their albums and only lately I realized that I do not follow this band until this album even though I have their previous albums before this from my colleague prog head. In fact I only knew from him that some tracks featired here in Arsis album are basically taken from previous album (?). Well, I don't know. Just give a chance to write my view of this album the way it is.

First off, the opening epic La Iliada (30:13) opens beautifully with a piano work under its first movement that sets a wonderful tone for the whole album : a) Atrida Agamenon - 4.29. In fact through this piece the band tries to bring back my memory of opening track of Angels and Demons album with a wonderful instrumental of Initiation. Of course the composition is different but the nuance of the piece is quite similar only that under this part it's a piece of the whole epic. The guitar solo by Claudio Cordero is really stunning and he plays as wonderful as previous guitar player Francisco Hernandez Reyes - or probably better in a way that Claudio is much rocking. I don't feel any sense of change to the next movement b) Helena en la Muralla - 2.25 as they have crafted the transition piece beautifully - I only realize there is a tremendous change on the next third movement c) Diomedes el Tidida - 3.08 which s still another excellent instrumental using flute as one of the melody altogether with guitar and piano / keyboard. I can sense the bass playing is also really good throughout the song. There is an element of classical music right here at third moment but the band play it in relatively fast tempo and it's really an excellent piece!'

The fourth movement d) Andromaca - 6.42 sounds differently even though still using flute as its melody maker but now the guitar plays critical role in providing fills and improvisation, combined wonderfully by keyboard work of Alfonso Vidales, who is I think is the chief composer of this Cast music. The guitar solo by Claudio is really rocking and stunning. He plays his guitar on his own style not representing any legendary players like Hackett or Howe. It's really nice. The fifth movement e) Batalla Interrumpida - 5.10 is naturally much classical in nature. It opens wonderfully with a flute work in classical music style. But then the music moves really fast and rocking with electric guitar takes the lead for the song. Wow! What is interesting is the keyboard augmentation after the guitar solo sometime at minute 1:25 of the piece. It's really wonderful and in some way it reminds me to Rick Wakeman. This is then repeated again at the other segments. It's totally cool! The music turns rocking and wonderful starting at minute 3:35. Oh my God ... It's really nice! You should not miss this piece! And the peak is the insertion of classical ensemble at minute 4:30 until it ends and continues to the next piece ...

...yeah ... the sixth piece is f) Embajada a Aquiles - 3.03 with still maintaining the classical nuances through flute work but then piano solo takes the lead followed with guitar work in rhythm section mode instead of solo. The musical break using piano is really nice. And the peak of the epic is the last piece g) En Donde Estabas?... - 5.16 which starts in an ambient mode with great combination of guitar and piano. What a cook opening! What follows is a simple guitar solo that represents like a melody maker even though not that long as it is continued with piano work and flute. Well overall epic of 3o minutes duration is really excellent and I enjoy from the beginning to end with all wonderful segments throughout the epic. Vocal line only happens on the next track 2. The Old Travel Book (9:10) with another excellent musical composition that accompanies the vocal. The flute still play as background music during the vocal session and then the guitar provides its short solo. You can sense the bass guitar playing is nice. The composition at this track is not that complex and it is performed in relatively slow tempo, and a bit of boring as it's too long with minimum change of style.

Next epic is not as long as the first: El Puente (18:32) with first movement a) El Puente - 6.22 starts with a vocal line accompanied by piano and bass guitar. It continues with nice keyboard work augmented with flute. The ending part of this first movement is really great and it's rocking combining keyboard, drums and stunning guitar solo. It flows nicely with great piano work that opens the next movement b) Luz Al Final Del Túnel - 4.02 followed excellently with flutework. What becomes my favorite is the third movement c) Valle de Los Sueños - 8.08 that concludes the album wonderfully. It starts with a string section using violin followed with female vocal, brings the music in crescendo with tight basslines. Violin provides nice fills and augmentation throughout the song. The guitar solo that starts entering the scene at minute 2:27 goes on and off until it takes the lead in its fullest potential with stunning solo and rocking nuances. I do enjoy the whole piece of this third movement but the climax is really at the last two minutes where guitar really take its full lead until the end. What a great closure!

Overall, this is truly a progrock album that anyone should not miss at all. All tracks are excellent and the composition is top notch! It's a four-star plus rating. The sonic quality of the record is not excellent - and it's typical of any Cast albums. But ...the composition is great! Keep on proggin' ...!!!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

Mexican band CAST was formed back towards the end of the '70s, although it would take them a good decade and then some before they started to record and release their material. Ever since their debut album appeared in 1993, they have been an active recording unit, as well as a live band, and to date they have a grand total of 23 full-length recordings to their name. "Arsis" appeared in 2014, self-released by the band.

"Arsis" comes across as a strong and well developed production by a veteran band that is very much aware of what they want to accomplish and how to go about doing so. Symphonic progressive rock is the style explored, with a distinct foundation on piano motifs and with a sound, style and especially approach that makes this a production I feel should have a strong appeal to fans of Camel, and then those who enjoy the band's earlier albums first and foremost.

Cast , this veteran and prolific band from Mexico conducted by excellent keyboard player Alfonso Vidales, done another excellent album named Arsis issued in 2014. Anyone intrested in prog is knowing that Cast is for sure one of the better symphonic/neo prog bands in last 30 years, each album is better then the next and to be fair they do not have a single album bad or unintristing in their catalogue, this is a rare case among bands from this genre when they will celebrate 45 years of existence.

Their music evolved through the years from almost neo prog with lots of Marillion, Camel, Genesis influences in their 90s albums to a symphonic band later on, but in each phases their really manage to survive in the scene and release music of a real intrest.

Arsis is a real symphonic prog album of the highest calibre, only 3 pieces here divided in many small ones, the opening has 30 min and is a pure delight. Inventive instrumental sections, lots of keyboards, piano motifs but in combination with the guitar parts the result is an excellent album all the way. Well crafted and composed, intresting orchestrations and lots of changes but done with taste.

All in all a solid album and among the best genre has to offer, all members involved done a great job and Cast once again must be taken in consideration when talking about genre best and longevive bands. Easy 4 stars and recommended.