On disc: Ataräxia

 
 Demo 2007
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 


 
 Demo 2008
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 

Demo 2008

(self-released - 2008)



 
 

 

The Spanish band Ataräxia was founded in 2006 - as far as I know - and they released a demo in 2007. This is their new one which you can download at their website or http://freemetalalbums.wordpress.com/.

They open up with 8:06 which is slowly kicking off, but then becomes a heavy mid-paced instrumental piece. With Caderas de madera they present the first 'real' song, an up-tempo riff-based part which then leads into a progressive, slightly jazzy track. But they are still heavy and guitar-driven, later they add some other elements. Slowly starts El sonido del tiempo, but they speed up a bit and add heaviness to the progressive sounds... Reminds me a bit of Dream Theater at times of Images & Words... The song is mainly instrumental and doesn't really need vocals, it's a pity that Julia only add some wordless parts towards the end. The following Intervalo is another 6 minutes long track, this time with some classic influences, but then goes lounge music. A relaxed tune which brings back Julia's voice. After a brief moment where they speed up, they are back to the dreamy sounds. Let them carry you away with this one! Last, but not least Nunca más (coda). The closer starts slowly... acoustically. It sounds quite simple, but sometimes it's all you need.

Hope to hear more of them! And that next time Julia gets a bit more time to shine... Check them out!
 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
up 













Demo 2007

(self-released - 2007)



 
 

 

I don't know much about this Spanish septet, only that they started in 2006, released this demo about a year later and that they aren't signed yet.

Anyway the Intro shows them as a symphonic metal band and it's obvious that they have some classic background. But with Reina Maldita they really kick off, an up-tempo tune with heavy riffing and a guitar melody line on top - their advantage that they have 3 guitarist. They also use mid-paced passages and some references to neo-classical metal are audible. Singer Juan Ramón Gómez Moya has a clear voice and power, but somehow sounds like many other Spanish singers. Technically well done, the whole track, but sometimes the high notes of the lead guitar are a bit annoying to me. The keyboard passage to lead out of the tune is cool. On the following Bécquer XLI they sound a bit heavier. A pumping bass is joined by heavy riffs. Less symphonic and more a straight forward heavy tune. Then some citation of well-known tunes - e.g. from Grieg's Peer Günt -  woven in a progressive structure. Perhaps they try too much at once... And again it's the squeaking guitar annoying me. A more simple heavy rocker is Me ata el Rock & Roll - and I wonder which was Ataräxia really want to go, coz next they present a metal version of Mozart's Rondo alla Turca. A very ambitious task and it partly works. At least it shows their craftsmanship.

The last track is a self-titled opus of about 10 minutes where they again show all the facets of their sound. Some passages are a bit chaotic... They try too much and loose track. I think the guys should make up their mind which way they want to go and not try to combine all and everything. It also would be interesting to hear them do a balladesque tune where they have to reduce a bit and where Moya can show more emotions... And so add some depth to this vocals. I think it really depends what they show us next, if they will have a chance in the big pond.
 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
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