CABEZAS DE CERA

1. "Ventiuno" (5:40) "Ein und zwanzig!" (8.5/10)

2. "Gocxilla" (5:30) using a LOT of effects to produce monster/animal noises, this is VERY King Crimsonian. (8.5/10)

3. "Encantador De Serpientes" (5:47) kind of like Brazilian jazz. Excellent! Amazing interplay between the three guys. Amazing song! (10/10)

4. "Un Pueblo Escondido" (5:47) this song just makes me happy--in a Caribbean-meets-Balinese-Gamelan way. (9.5/10)

5. "Caravana" (4:40) percussion and flutes open this one as ChapmanStick mostly performs the bass function. Switch to distorted gtr brass horns and drum kit for the second 90 seconds and then something different, more saw-like for the final third. Did Markus Pajakkala here this one before doing his Brutopianisti album? (8.75/10)

6. "Pretexto A Un Texto Fragmentado" (4:30) Art of Noise? Industrial King Crimson? Amazingly fresh and innovative! Love the narration over the music! (10/10)

7. "Gitana" (3:04) kind of Latin-Arabic acoustic jazz. Nice! (9/10)

8. "Frontera" (6:04) true ChapmanStick heaven! (8.75/10)

9. "Al Aire (6:05) nice Latin jazz with more Spanish narration over the top. Not as fresh or lively as "Pretexto", the narration is too much the center and focus of the song. (8/10)

Wow! What did I just listen to! It was unlike anything I've ever heard before! So fresh! So lively! So awesome! And talk about virtuosity! These three have it--on multiple instruments, each!

A-/five stars; a minor masterpiece of progressive rock music coming from the world jazz fusion direction. Try it out! You won't be sad!

Imagine if KING CRIMSON were actually a Latin-American group, influenced by Mexican Folk Music to get the picture of this high-octane trio from Mexico City.''Un segundo'' is an innovative and deeply challenging album, where short but extremely rich instrumental pieces are carefully split by the interruption of themes, mostly based on sound effects, narrations, samplers and electronics.Music is complex but always charming, led by scratching electric guitars and pounding drums, surrounded by a vast palette of traditional instruments like the violin, the clarinet, the saxophone and the archaic flutes.The compositions start from powerful, groovy parts to go through folky enviroments with a Latin-spiced atmosphere and get back into loose, almost improvised performances with a jazzy background.Of course. it's not always about dominant, complicated music in here, some displayed acoustic textures sound more down-to-earth and less emphatic but not uninteresting at all, surrounded by the sax or flutes.An amalgam of Folk, Jazz, Fusion, Rock and Electronic Music, delivered with an experimental attitude, producing atonal moments, passionate solos, punchy rhythms and atmospheric innovations.

A winner by all means.Not the main priority of lovers of more melodic offerings, but a must-have for anyone searching for dense and intricate contemporary Prog Rock.Strongly recommended...3.5 stars.

This new album entitled "Hermandad" has an additional beauty, the CD package is stunning, handcraft made with a beautiful wood color and with a puzzle-like design. Well, the album offers 7 songs and a total time of 55 minutes. It starts with "Danza de la lluvia" which happens to be the shortest track; it is like a chat between strings and percussion that together provoke something on the earth, mother nature has to listen to this and send us some gifts, like a rain, so we can receive it with open arms and give it a rendition. This type of music CDC offers has old roots, pre-Hispanic touches that let us travel to the past.

"Mano a mano" is a rollercoaster of emotions, with a vertiginous explosion after some seconds of its beginning, then it slows down and share a state of calm, that little by little is being invaded by a chaotic atmosphere. This is a curious track, because one can listen to a lot of sounds and remember all of them, and none of them as well, all of a sudden some whistles can be heard while a far applause appears under a bed of strings and some farther percussion. "Rock Mahal" has a tense beginning with a first introductory minute that has a special atmospheric sound with some grade of chaos; later it calms down and a folkish tune appear, reminding me of mid-east music. This track has so many changes, them all are good without a doubt, the problem I have here is that in moments I feel lost, and not identified with the music.

"Migrante" has an addictive rhythm that is easy to remember, it repeats itself during the whole track, so here is different from the past song, this one has its own essence that will make us identify it. A vast quantity of colors and textures are offered here, so many changes that don't harm each other, a prominent use of stick and great atmospheres help build up one of the best songs off this album. "Sonocosmonauta" plays again with a lot of nuances and textures that come from everywhere, a variety of sounds that try to create a structure which is about to take off, but I am not convinced if it took off or not, what I mean is that here once again I felt lost somewhere, not caught by its charm, like the feeling of "this lacks something", I don't know.

"Éxodo desierto adentro" could be used as soundtrack of a film related to art, I imagine this music sounding while a man is walking in the mid-east desert, going to meet its fate. The strings used here are great as usual, while the percussion greatly complements it. The Mexican roots continue during the whole album, and are provided once again in the last track "Dia de Feria" in which I imagine a cool culture festival of our ascendants, walking, chatting, having a moment of relaxation and thought, I don't know, trying to find the peace they deserve.

Well, if you have read my previous CDC reviews then you will notice something, that I always show love for them, but here I did not feel that enthusiastic. Most of the changes are for good, and I am sure CDC will find soon their new own sound, maybe they already have it as a duo, but I think they have to keep walking and moving on in order to reach that summit they once owned; the winds were something that made this band unique, now they don't have it and I am sure most of us fans miss them, but we have to understand this is a new era and get use to what they want to offer nowadays. My final grade will be 2.5 rounded to 3 stars, I miss those songs that can be recognized in the first 5 seconds, here I found only one.

Enjoy it!

The same sort of musical experience than before is provided with "Metalmúsica" which is the title of the first CD. This album is a combo of powerful matters ("Fundición") with notable jazz accents as well as fine ethnic numbers ("Nocturno Incadecente" or "Kieri"). The latter style has by far my preference. There are also several tracks which sound as having no structure like "Armatoste" for instance. It seems as a juxtaposition of notes or sounds without any consistency. Some sort of free-jazz which is just loose and chaotic.

Repetitive and minimalism are also featured on the menu ("Milagro"). Actually, there are not many attractive parts on this work. The chaotic and noisy "Mutación" won't generate any better feeling, I'm afraid.

The first very good track from this all instrumental album is "Indomable". Folkish textures and a nice melody are very much welcome after all these noises and painful passages. Some relief is also felt during the acoustic "Destiempo". It is not that this track is great; it is just providing a halt in the whole maelstrom available so far.

The symphonic jazz oriented "Znjambre" is not too bad at all: it features some very good sax as well as enjoyable percussion work. It is one of the best tracks available so far. The second part of the closing number of disk one is also enjoyable thanks to some very nice flute parts.

In all this first disk is below average: two stars.

The second CD is no more than improvised and choatic music. Noisy with no structure all the way through. Iguess that the band should have better sit under the jazz-rock/fusion section. I have tried hard to enter into their musical mould, but this is beyond my capabilities.

If you like free-jazz, improvisation and loose music: this might be worth. I am not of that kind though. Two stars.

It is indeed quite experimental music the one featured here. Quite (too) jazzy as well. As I have said about their debut one: I only got interested in the band because they were Mexican. But if you are willing to listen to some more conventional prog music, I can recommend you "Cast". Because with "Cabezas", it might turn to a "rompe cabezas" for sure.

I can't really fancy their style with is quite complex, at the very edge of the eclectic genre and the full experimental one. At times, a little breeze of fresh air appears ("In Statu"). It is the occasion to listen to some fine flute and good ethnic music as well.

"En Camino" is of another vein: the acoustic guitar intro is quite pleasant, very much Spanish oriented. It is combined with some heavier and wild passages which are quite impressive. One of my fave here. Together with the following "Elementos" which is another folkish/ethnic song with lots of rhythm and fluting. Very pleasant.

"Escalapista" is more jazz oriented: symphonic at first it turns into free jazz later on. No need to tell you that this is not frankly my cup of tea. The loose and experimental "Balun Canan" is not the type of track which is going change my mind about this album: very eclectic indeed but totally lacking in harmonious passages.

This album is truly difficult to get into and in my books, it only deserves two stars. Even if the closing "Retorno" is one of the most pleasant song available.

The opening track "Veintiuno" (twenty-one) holds some weird wording in ?German but is a track which combines jazz-rock and eclectic prog. It is not what I prefer, but it is not too bad to be honest.

But when "Goxcilla" starts, you'd better hold on tight. As far as I'm concerned, they'd better have skipped that one. It is just a noisy and experimental track with little to no attraction as far as I'm concerned.

What a contrast with the delicacy of the flute play during "Encantodor De Serpientes" (snake charmer). Of course, with such a title there is no wonder that lots of flute is being played here. Leaning on the jazz mood, it shows some good acoustic guitar work as well as a performing sax and rhythmic section. It is my fave from this album for sure.

"Un Pueblo Escondido" starts somewhat experimental as well, but it is more bearable than "Goxcilla" thanks to some "marimba-like" passages as well as a very well constructed electric guitar part. Flute again is a delight (but you know that I am biased).

The music sounds almost free-jazz during a good chunk of "Caravan" and it is very loose while "Pretexto A Un Texto Fragmentado" is being played.

The last two tracks are fully jazz-rock oriented and can't keep me happy. In all, this album is not easy to approach and requires several listenings. If you are into intricate eclectic music combined with jazz-rock and experimental stuff, this might be rewarding. I'm not really into these so for me, the experience was quite mixed. Two stars.

Fortunately, the last year (2009) was an extraordinary year for this Mexican unique band, whose music was spread once again through the boundaries of the north frontier. They were invited to the NEAR Fest which as you know, is one of the most important festivals of progressive rock around the globe, so the bands who play there can feel sure that their music is appreciated by people of different countries and races, but with similar musical tastes.

It is not easy to please the progressive rock fan, but now with pride I can say that Cabezas de Cera did it, their tour over the United States, reunited some of the most positive criticism between the genre's connoisseurs, and I am sure that they felt it that way, because they returned to Mexico very happy after having achieved one more of their goals: leave a mark in the attendants.

In a wise decision, they decide to release a DVD/CD combo where one can appreciate their wonderful performance at NEAR Fest, besides other features. The introduction of this DVD was also chosen in a great moment: their 15th anniversary. Yes, the band have been composing and creating some of the most exquisite music I've ever heard for fifteen years, now I can say they have obtained loyal followers here in my country, but also recognition all over the world, they have earned it, believe me.

So what is this video about, as I said, it features the nine-track set off the North East Art Rock Festival which complete a 64-minute show, a concert where you can appreciate that they are as good (or better) as in the studio, that they play with all their heart, and that the crowd was happy with their performance, I really enjoy watching the people standing up and applauding, it feels good.

There are some classic songs such as "Gocxilla" and "Pretexto a un Texto Fragmentado", and also some of their newest compositions such as "Laberinto" and "Parkour", I believe they choose an excellent set list because those tracks gather all the elements that make this band big: experimentation, intelligent composing, great interplay between winds, strings and percussion, complex sound and several moods, among other things. Also, you can see that they (Paco, more specific) creates some of the instruments that Mauricio plays, whose particular sound could catch everyone's attention. In songs like "Indomable" or "Mutación" you can see those "weird" but original instruments.

Besides the concert, there are extra features that also make this DVD worth buying. One of them is a short documental about their US tour, where you can see their feelings and concerns before and after every concert. Another one is a short film with music of the band; and also a photo gallery. So here you can know them a little bit, outside their musical realm.

This is an excellent DVD that can work as a CD if you don't want to watch it. I would recommend it to all of you, if you are new to the band, this could be also a nice introduction; and if you already know them, please buy it, you won't regret. A couple of days ago I attend once again to a show, and they caused me goosebumps again, they still surprise me despite I think I know them very well, that is why I felt inspired in writing this review. My final grade is four stars.

Enjoy it!

There are a lot of adjectives that one can use while listening to a band like Cabezas de Cera, their music can transport you to new worlds and put images in your mind in almost every single song they compose, that's something that not all the bands can achieve. So as you know, I am a big follower and supporter of this band, so with this new review I hope more people get interested in their music, believe me, they are worth listening.

Cabezas de Cera's "Hecho en México" is an album with new compositions, however this was recorded live and released in the last days of 2007, thankfully, I could attend to the introduction of this album, which remains as one of my favorite CDC concerts I have ever witnessed. This album features nine songs and a total time of 90 minutes, and once again, one can listen to exquisite music that comes from the experimentation and ambition of these three talented Mexican musicians.

It kicks off with "Tercera Llamada" which happens to be the shortest song of the album. It has their distinctive sound as a trio, drums-winds-strings, since the first minutes one can notice the complexity and creativity they share, it is common to hear that the instruments as individuals have their own world, however, the three of them manage to create unity, and a strong song.

One thing that features this band is the exquisite use of electronic drums, so they can create sounds that one cannot imagine drums would do. This can be appreciated in the second track called "Tiroxina Rex", whose sound transmits a lot of things, it is not the common music with a common structure, no, it is challenging and unique, that's why I love them. In some of their tracks, you can appreciate both, the explosion and the calm, this song is not the exception.

"Peregrino" is a pretty nice song that seduces the listener. The first moments are full of Mauricio's great acoustic guitar playing, along with that delicate sound produced by Ramses' winds, and of course, the always precise use of Paco's drums. This is a soft, in moments peaceful track that can make you close your eyes and see things, create a story and enjoy the colors and textures it suggests. After three minutes the song changes a little bit, becomes stronger for moments, but then it slows down again, creating a nice mix of emotions.

"Al Mictlán" starts softly and gradually progresses, the atmosphere is quite friendly, there are moments where some kind of eastern sound appears, at least I feel it. Before minute three the stick takes the leadership and shows once more the musician's skills. This is an excellent song, however is one of those that I simply don't love.

On the other hand, the next track is one of my all-time CDC favorites, "Laberinto" which since the first time I listen to it in a concert, let me perplexed, with my mouth, mind and ears wide open and enjoying every single second of what I was listening; right now, that feeling has not changed at all. This is an extraordinary composition which starts with electronic drums, then winds and strings join little by little and begin to build up a structure, begin to fly and put together different elements and nuances that catch the listener's senses, and retain them until the very end.

"Rompecabezas" is a thirteen-minute track, the longest composition here, which shows once again their capacity and great compositional skills. It starts with a relaxed atmosphere for the first minute, but later it changes, creating a jazzy sound with some strange noises as background, the eclecticism of this band is always welcomed, you can tell it by this song. The piece is divided in several parts, some of them a bit heavier, some other calmer and relaxing. So here, you can expect nothing but a mixture of sounds gathered together in one body. However, I had to admit, that this is not really my favorite song.

"Corazón Alegre" is a beautiful composition with a charming sound. The stick and flute together create together a friendly moment, it is like watching the sunrise. Later the song changes a little bit, but its essence is still the same. Here I imagine the story of a person thinking about the world's nature and beauty. Minutes later the song becomes a bit funkier, where stick and drums build a new sound. A pretty enjoyable track!

Now if you want more experimentation, check out "Parkour" a unique song that I particularly enjoy a lot when I listen to it, either from my CD, or in a concert. Different sections of passages here, that maintain you expectant, waiting and asking yourself what's next, when you feel the song is stuck, then it suddenly explodes and makes everyone's head and body move (I've seen it in the different shows I've attended). There is a great vibe on this song, the music and the band invite you to explore new lands and actually, to explore yourself and know some hidden behaviors of you.

Last but not least is "Caguamán" which I have to tell, is not the perfect closer song, I have never felt comfortable with this as the last one of this great album, I don't really know why. It is actually a great song, It is obvious, but I simply did not like it was the final track here, maybe at the middle of the album I could enjoy it more, I don't know. But well, here once more they create interesting moods and atmospheres, the winds, stick and drums complement each other very well.

Hecho en México is an extraordinary album by this wonderful band, it is clearly not my personal favorite of them, however, it is a strong record that any progressive rock fan should listen, the music here is not the conventional prog, it is original, unique I would say. My final rating is four stars.

Enjoy it!

Highlights are the opening track "Fundicion" with it's in your face distortion and dissonant sax. It turns spacey 4 1/2 minutes in. Amazing tune. "Indomble" just really clicks with me. I like the beat when it kicks in before a minute. "Ernadu" is almost East Indian sounding early on with lots of sax late. "Del Nois Al Nais" has a cool intro that is quite powerful. It turns spacey later with prominant sax. I like the bass after 6 minutes.

Obviously there are many fans of this double album if you check out the other reviews here. It's interesting enough that I would also suggest you check out this album. I just don't enjoy it that much. 3 stars.