| Band
Members: |
Angel Ontaiva: guitars |
Victor Rodríguez: keyboards |
| |
Amanda Pazos : bass |
Chema Fernández : drums |
| |
|
|
| Track
Listing: |
1.)-. Lupus in Fabula
(5:22) October Equus Suite: (Tracks 2-7) |
8.)-Reliqua Tempora
(3:42) |
| |
2.)- Field of Mars (2:50) |
9.)- Minus Nihilo (4:49) |
| |
3.)- Bigas (7:46) |
10.)-Hydra (3:59) |
| |
4.)-Sacrifice (4:45) |
|
| |
5.)- Vestals (4:19) |
|
| |
6.)- Head of the Winner (7:17) |
|
| |
7.)-. End: On a Lance (4:54) |
|
| |
|
|
| The
Review |
October Equus is a unique Madrid quartet whom wholeheartedly
embraces the rough edges of modern RIO as well as Canterbury
and English jazz fusion influences. The group is unabashed
in its approach of fiery guitar leads that spill over dissonant
keyboard changes in a crafted mesh of mid-period of National
Health, late period Henry Cow and Goblin. Using big riffs
to pummel a main theme into submission is nothing new to acts
such as Present and Universe Zero and this trio has no trouble
using the same approach especially on the multipart October
Equus Suite (penned by guitarist Angel Ontaiva). Ontaivai's
leads capture an intensity reserved for the best of progressive
rock somewhere between Steve Vai, Roger Trigaux and Phil Miller.
Keyboardist and other main composer Victor Rodríguez has worked
out joint arrangements which support both intricate melodic
patches as well as discordant segues that are impressive and
passionate. Good examples of this compositional approach are
heard on "Sacrifice" where Ontaiva tears it up as Rodriguez
adds counterpoint synth. "Head of the Winner" is by the far
the best played and conceived piece offering both some heavy
duty rock and semi-classical overtones that will have many
fans of "The Bryden Two-Step for Amphibians" in joyful tears.
The disc's last two pieces are no less ominous: on "Minus
Nihilo" a piano based intro leads into angst ridden electric
giutar solo. Lastly "Hydra" ends the disc on an involved phrase
that the entire band rallies behind making the CD end with
a blazing finish. The group is simply one of the best finds
in the RIO space this year along with Israel's Sympozion.
Jeff Melton
|
|
|
