As a huge fan of Spanish progrock I am delighted about this reincarnation of Classic Spanish Prog formation Atila. The band was formed in 1973 by Eduardo Biebla (guitar), Joan Punyet (drums) and Paco Ortega (keyboards), two years later this line-up produced the EP The Beginning Of The End. One year later Atila released the highly acclaimed album Intencion and then in 1978 Reviure, both with the new line-up featuring Eduardo A. Niebla (guitar), Benet Nogue (organ, Mellotron, piano, Moog and vocals), Miguel A. Blasco (bass) and Joan Punyet (drums). At the end of 1978 the band dissolved but in 1999 Atila reformed with Joan Punyet (drums), Benet Nogue (keyboards), Ignasi Bosch (guitar), Pere Martinez (bass) and Joan Cardoner (guitar) and did a reunion-concert, playing their best material. The sound of Atila has elements from Vanilla Fudge, Cream, The Nice and Emerson, Lake & Palmer but in general ... it's Atila presenting an unique prog stew with lots of own musical ideas. The remastered second album Intencion (considered as their best) and the reunion concert from 1999 were put on 1-CD entitled Atila: Intencion + Reviure, this is a treat for the lovers of 'vintage-keyboards' (Hammond, Moog, Mellotron) with some mindblowing moments (swirling organ and fat Moog runs) but the guitar work is also worth listening, a bit harder-edged but very inventive, at some moments with a Spanish flavour. Website info. "And now anno 2024 the Spanish prog label 5 Lunas Producciones presents the surprising new album Encarnació by Classic Spanish prog band Atila. In the 80s the last formation of Atila experienced changes and explored new compositions, some of which were performed live (Encarnació A and B, and Estranya Mágia). Inspired by this stage of creativity, Joan Punyet (the original drummer) brought together these final songs along with new compositions of his own intended for Atila (Dansa Del Datil Daurat and Retorn) and one by the original keyboardist Benet Nogué (Volada) to create and shape Encarnació. Forty-six years after Reviure (1978) Joan Punyet takes the reins of this project supported by the record label specialized in Progressive Rock 5 Lunas, which has achieved a particularly careful sound, applying a completely analogue mix and mastering. The album captures the pure essence of Atila with passages that reflect their distinctive style and brings to life previously unreleased compositions that have been adapted and performed with a new instrumental sound. This is not an old mastering, but a new production that has required months of work in the studio, taking care of every detail with the criteria of the purest style of Atila its original sound. The album features the collaboration of musicians (from bands like Omni, Guadalquivir, The Storm and Sherish) who, although they were not part of the band, share the commitment to preserve the essence and sound, the magic and spirit of the golden years of progressive rock and Atila. Encarnació Part A (Encarnación Parte A).The album starts in an ominous atmosphere, with haunting sounds, blended with twanging guitars, then the music turns into bombastic and compelling, between rock and avant-garde, embellished with heavy and howling guitar leads, and fuelled by a furious rhythm-section, evoking the 'organized chaos' by King Crimson and Il Balletto Di Bronzo. Finally dreamy with soaring keyboards and a spacy slide guitar sound. Encarnació Part B (Encarnación Parte B.). First intense guitar work and dreamy synthesizer flights in a slow rhythm, then a mid-tempo featuring the more accessible part of Atila, with fiery guitar, strong drum beats, inspired Italian vocals, and in the end a moving guitar solo. Dansa Del Dátil Daurat (Danza Del Datil Dorado). A tight rhythm-section, and exciting interplay between fiery guitar and powerful synthesizer, the atmosphere is a bit sultry and reminds me of Al DiMeola. Then spectacular work with the Minimoog, the climate shifts from mellow to bombastic, with brass instruments. After an accellaration lots of guitar, like a 'heavy Allan Holdsworth', backed by a dynamic rhythm-section and concluded with another sensational Minimoog solo. Retorn (Retorno).Another instrumental (four out of six on this album) featuring an up-tempo, with propulsive drums and fiery guitar. Then a swinging rhythm with powerful bass, what an exciting and dynamic sound, with excellent interplay, strong musical ideas, and finally a fiery guitar solo. Estranya Mágia (Extraña Magia). First a dreamy atmosphere, in a slow rhythm, with twanging guitars, slow synthesizer runs and emotional vocals. In the second part the focus is on fiery, heavy and biting guitar, in a compelling climate. Volada (Balada).This final track emphasizes the huge variety on this new Atila album. Now tender and sparkling piano runs, tastefully blended with orchestral keyboards (violin sound) and spacy Minimoog runs. Halfway the music turns into a Rick Wakeman tribute, wonderful! **** Erik Neuteboom (edited by Tracy van Os van den Abeelen) Where to buy? |
