INSOMNIA

I was already keen on the epic 'The Chimney, The Wheel And The War' which can be found on the forerunner album 'I Me Myself'. Have to confess that they really surprised me at first, as the new stuff did not sound like that identically named band I was aware of before. 'Insomnia' marks a step away from the dwelled symphonic fundament, towards eclectic art rock, this augmented with some spacey vibe and weird moments. Or maybe one can say they have opened a new session which is focussed on a more widespread and experimental approach? Let's see. Good for us most certainly.

There are only a few prog bands hailing from Cuba, and ANIMA MUNDI probably are the best known, partly because intensively touring Europe in the past. The band's core remains stable on this occasion, that includes Roberto Díaz (guitars), Yaroski Corredera (bass), Marco Alonso (drums) and the lovely Virginia Peraza taking care of a wide range of keyboard stuff. The task to cull a new lead singer may have caused some insomnia anyhow. But it's okay. Aivis Prieto comes in provided with a qualified voice and little accent. But I'm not sure if he is undertaking the lead during the gentle ballad Her Song where the vocals are showing advantage at best. Though maybe it's Roberto Díaz actually.

Certainly nice, seriously, not joking yet, a proper method to lull you into sleep, without the need for any pills. But before that will happen, there is a lot going on which needs fair attention. The opening Citadel is serving a groovy entry. Prominent synths and jazzy hints throughout. The spacey Swans will take you far away into another spheric dimension, which finally will end into an Electric Credo, a fantastic avant tinged band outing. The Hunter is underway then on well known symphonic paths.

Every song has its own identity, saxophone and trumpet input here and there, smooth jazzy excursions from time to time. The title song expresses a fascinating silky mood with singalong ability, which will end Porcupine Tree alike somehow. On the other hand they are offering neat aggressive impulse during New Tribes Item. Excellent, great move. All correct when it comes to my taste. In the face of a diversified behaviour a coherent result anyhow. 'Insomnia' is an album I'm really fond of in the meanwhile.

For some reason this is the first time I have come across Anima Mundi, but this is their sixth album, having released their debut as long ago as 2002. Tow of the members of that line-up are still in the band all these years later, but what I find quite unusual is that these guys are from Cuba, not a country normally associated with symphonic prog, and according to the bible which is ProgArchives, all five top progressive albums from Cuba are by this band (which is at #3 as I write this, if you are interested). However, their debut album was released on Italian label Mellow Records and apparently, they have quite a following in mainstream Europe, and indeed this has been released on the German PPR label.

This is the second part of a trilogy which started with their 2016 album 'I Me Myself', which has very similar artwork with a hand there partially open, but in blue, so I can only guess that the next will continue in the same vein. As I haven't heard any of their earlier material I cannot say if it also follows on musically, but it is certainly intriguing. There are times when it is almost techno in its abrupt approach, and others where it is far more languid, but always taking the listener on quite a journey. This is the first album to feature Alvis Prieto on lead vocals, and he sounds as if he has been in the band forever, although there are long passages where he isn't involved at all. We are often treated to lengthy sections which are primarily keyboards and sound effects, as the band build on their story of a fictional city in a world which is ruled by political, financial and technological powers.

The guys bring in additional sax to good effect, and everyone knows their place, but it is the keyboards of Virginia Peraza which has most impact, as she uses Eighties sounds to create dynamic effects, or drops in harmonic backdrops. It is Steven Wilson, but with additional use of jazz and lounge plus some dance here and there. It means the album is always interesting, and at the end one isn't really too sure what has happened, but it makes sense to put it back on again. Not a band I had previously heard, but I am looking forward to the follow-up with interest. Really nicely presented booklet as well.

Veteran Cuban band ANIMA MUNDI can trace their history all the way back to the mid 1990's, and unless I'm much mistaken they are the main and most important progressive rock band of their home nation to boot. "Insomnia" is their sixth studio album, and was released in 2018 by German label Progressive Promotion Records.

I find it hard to conclude Anima Mundi's latest album into any of the predefined sub-genres of the progressive rock universe. It is a compelling and enthralling album however, at times hypnotically so, a dark descent into a universe that in mood and atmosphere is as bleak and ominous as the aforementioned movie Blade Runner. If cosmic, dark and dystopian progressive rock sounds like something you would enjoy, "Insomnia" deserves to be placed on your list of music that needs to be given a spin. A darkly compelling and bleakly enthralling experience.