JAGANNATH ORBIT

While preparing for their second album, Anima Mundi entered their most difficult period with musicians leaving the group and new faces jumping on board.This fact resulted to no less than 5 years of recordings.In 2005, in a surprising move, Roberto Diaz recruited a new rhythm section from the Death/Thrash Metal band Agonizer, Osvaldo Vieites on drums and Yaroski Corredera on bass.The new album ''Jagannath orbit'' was recorded with both Ariel Valdes and Osvaldo Vientes on drums, but by the end they both quit to be replaced by Jose Manuel Govin.All vocals were delivered by a new singer, Carlos Sosa, and the work was eventually released in 2008 on Musea.

Worth waiting indeed, this new album finds Anima Mundi entering the path of modern Symphonic/Progressive Rock, as proposed in the past by THE FLOWER KINGS and SPOCK'S BEARD.The question rises, was the Prog scene in need of another THE FLOWER KINGS imitator?The answer is yes, if the music is so well-crafted and executed.With three out of seven compositions taking 3/4 of the album, Anima Mundi offer a bombastic, grandiose and rich Symphonic Rock, full of flashy arrangements, pounding rhythms and delicate melodies, featuring another fantastic performance by female keyboardist Virginia Peraza and the nice, electrified guitar moves of Diaz.The music can get very powerful at moments with sharp synths and Classical inspirations, a bit like JAIME ROSAS, while a nice armour of keyboards, including organs and Mellotrons, is used, with evident blinks to the glorious times of YES and GENESIS.There are also some super-symphonic moments with a similar sound to British early 80's acts such as QUASAR or PROTOS, led by impressive, atmospheric soundscapes.Add a very good vocalist with a decent delivery of the English vocals and you are close to taste Anima Mundi's dense and dynamic musicianship.A special reference should be made for three long compositions of the album, which are carefully structured with tons of good melodies and sudden changes of an excellent inspiration.

Beautiful, well-crafted and energetic Symphonic Prog by the Cubans.Recommended to all fans of THE FLOWER KINGS, MOON SAFARI, SPOCK'S BEARD or MARS HOLLOW...3.5 stars.