Metaconciencia - Bestiario

Year of Release: 2003
Label: Musea
Catalog Number: FGBG 4469.AR
Format: CD
Total Time: 61:18:00

With a sleeve designed by Mattias Noren, I expected this band to be in the prog metal direction, not an all instrumental Mexican trio that combines prog rock with fusion elements that it really is. With the opening track "Garhi," Metaconciencia immediately illustrates its roots by including a fair amount of South-American elements. Especially the acoustic guitar has a strong "flamenco" feel. And guitars are the name of the game as electric, acoustic and classical guitars are the main ingredients on offer here. The superb classical guitar in "Alh 84" contains references one would associate with the band Philharmonie. The instrumental nature of the song is disturbed by female announcements regarding astronauts and UFO's. During "Paradigma" the band even sees the possibility to give their guest drummer a chance to deliver a short drum solo before the atmosphere of the composition changes, featuring a "twanging" guitar and funky bass. The California Guitar Trio is all over the place during the acoustic "Péndulo" including tons of technical tricks.

Although Metaconciencia is a group effort, it is nevertheless mainly Fransisco Estrada who puts his mark firmly on the demanding music. Best example for his masterly playing has to be "Improv" which, as the name reveals, concerns a pure improvisation that was recorded in just one take and most certainly without overdubs. "Bestiario" seems like an interesting song because here Ricardo Moreno, who most of the time devotes himself to acoustic guitar, also includes keyboards. His organ playing adds elements of ELP, although certainly not as brilliant as Keith Emerson himself! The additional keyboards do however push the guitar towards the background, which delivers a completely new sound. One wonders what would happen should the band decide to take on an extra keyboard player! With "1899" the band pays tribute to the Mexican composer Silvestre Revueltas (1899-1940) which has Ricardo Moreno on bass and Fransisco Estrada on synth guitar. The end result is rather dark experimental music with a hint of blues incorporated.

Guitar enthusiasts will most certainly enjoy this album because all aspects of their favourite instrument are highlighted here. Throughout their original material you still hear their Mexican roots adding a special flavour to their otherwise outstanding album.

Tracklisting:
Garhi (10:21) / Alh 84 (7:04) / Paradigma (6:09) / Péndulo (3:52) / Eniac (5:14) / Improv (4:56) / Bestiario (10:47) / 1899 (5:15) / Antartica (7:40)

Musicians:
Fransisco Estrada - electric guitar, classical guitar, synth guitar
Ricardo Moreno - acoustic guitar, keyboards, bass
José Ramon Porrua - bass

Guest :

Carlos Bonequi - drums

Discography:
Bestiario (2003)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin MX

Added: September 8th 2003
Reviewer: John "Bobo" Bollenberg

Artist website: www.geocities.com/metaconciencia
Hits: 1841
Language: english