SIMÉTRICANARQUÍA

"Simétricanarquía" finds the Spanish Crimsonesque ensemble Difícil Equlibirio delivering a showcase for musical maturity within the progressive frame that they chose to set their musical vision into. Still very 80s Crimson-inspired in nature, the album's repertoire manages to introduce some newer textures within their power trio sound in order to create some refreshing richness for the basic formula. These other textures preferentially come from math-rock, 90s jazz-rock and fusion; to a lesser degree, you can also notice some post-rock ornaments in a few occasional passages. The album kicks off on a very exciting note with the catchy counterpoints developed in 'Vidas Son Horas', with the harder and the softer passages craftily alternated in a solid continuum. The use of repetition is vivid enough to stay away from the dull. 'El Ángel Exterminador' keeps things quite catchy with its mixture of KC's "Three of a Perfect Pair" and your regular Attention Deficit. The presence of trompet and cello by guests helps to add texture and colour, while the main motif remains simplistic (yet clearly inventive). 'Penumbra' brings shadows of experimental fog under the guise of musique concrete, only to be segued into a joyful rendition of Gong's classic 'Dynamite'. The layful joie de vivre displayed in this cover allows the band to exorcise their more frontal punk-related ghosts, so to speak. An interesting diversion from the very cerebral counterpointing plays developed in the first two cuts. 'Al Destino Devenir' finds the ensemble exploring their heavier facet. This side of theirs is one of the main reasons why I stated that this album represented a sort of renewal of the band's ideology: this is much less Crimsonesque (despite the evidently Frippian vibe in some guitar riffs) and more leaning towards the spirit of Don Caballero and the complex side of Tim Alexander- era Primus. This is a definitive highlight of the album, if not its undisputed apex. 'Ruptura III' lasts less than 3 minutes, and that's a real pity since it is a pretty number built upon a melodic jazz structure: a portrait of mental serenity that finds in the sax solo an adequate enhancement. This number should have been longer, indeed. 'Jaqueline', a cover of a reilly- penned cut, finds the band headlong for a further exploration of their not so evident candid side, even bordering on what we might as well identify as moderately complex pop- rock. Track 8 is an Arabian fusion interlude between the preceding one and 'Trayecto V', a solid showcase for what DE can do when they filter their Crimsonesque vibe through a heavily exotic vibe. 'Bypass' is a slow rocker whose energy is cleverly stated through the use of syncopated pulsation and guitar subtleties: as Frippian as post-rock can get. Finally, the last track (the namesake one) delivers a techno recreation of 80s KC, catchy and high- spirited. After a moment of silence comes the coda, which is a soundscape accompanied by a voiceover. This narrative serves as an effective parting word for a very good album, acutally more than good or very good, excellent. "Simétricanarquía" should earn Difícil Equlibrio a spot of respect and appreciation among fans of Crimsonian prog, particularly.