Amarok - Quentadharkën


Year of Release: 2004
Label: Luna Negra
Catalog Number: CDLN-26
Format: CD
Total Time: 71:15:00

The Spanish band Amarok already delivers their sixth (seven if we count the demo album Migracions) full album with Quentadharkën. Recorded between July 2003 and January 2004, it is meanwhile the first album to be recorded with some new bandmembers. More than ever the band delivers a mix between authentic prog and ethnic sounds. Because of their recent collaborations with a certain TV-station, Amarok has obtained a certain status in Spain resulting in their albums being sold at a more rapid pace. When you listen closely to Quentadharkën you have to admit that their music goes a lot further than that of the average prog outfit. In "La Ultima Expedicion" the voice of Marta Segura and the synths of bandleader Robert Santamaria blend ever so well. By balancing instrumental and vocal songs the entire album wins power and homogeneity. Playful and even a little bit French by means of the sound of the accordeon, "Tierra Boreal" is nicely constructed. As happens throughout this album, Amarok reminds us of Eris Pluvia sometimes fused together with dashes of Gryphon.

Then again "La Espiral" contains the atmosphere of North-African tribal dances, which once again illustrates the diversity of this band. The short, fragile "Alumbrado" is very cinematographic what build up is concerned and could therefor be an outtake by Karda Estra. The use of flute and organ regulary reminds us of Camel whilst the more symphonic sidesteps from the likes of Isildurs Bane are present during the title song, which is built around five separate pieces. The album closes with four bonus tracks. The most recent "Laberintos De Piedra" is a very funky jig which strangely enough ends with a drum solo. The other three bonus tracks date from 1998 and once again illustrate the craftmanship within the band. By introducing folk and world music Amarok opens a lot of national and international doors so that it wouldn't be a surprise to see the band feature on many big festivals the world over. Maybe Quentadharkën contains too much diversity but Amarok surely is a band more progfans should definitely check out!


Tracklisting:
Hsieh (7:30) / La Ultima Expedicion (4:59) / Encantamiento (2:56) / Toerra Boreal (9:03) / La Espiral (7:53) / Alumbrado (1:37) / Quantadhark?n (21:31) / Bonus tracks: Laberintos De Piedra 2004 (5:25) / Bocins De L'emporda (3:46) / Venus Antigua (3:20) / Amos Del Aire (3:14)

Musicians:
Robert Santamaria - keyboards, saz, kanun, charango, 12-string guitar, autoharp, santour, accordeon, marimba, glockenspiel, percussion
Manel Mayol - flute, didgeridoo
Mireia Sisquella - saxophone
Carlos Galego - electric guitar, percussion
Pau Zanartu - drums, congas
Marta Segura - vocals
Alan Chebab - bass

Guests:

Robert Abella - violin
Miguel Angel Ortin - tenor sax
Victor Estrada - spanish guitar, theremin, sound effects
Kerstin Kokocinski - oboe
Luis Blanco - vibraslap

Discography:
Els Nostres Petits Amics ()
Canciones De Los Mundos Perdidos (1995)
Gibra'ara (1998)
Tierra De Especias (2000)
Mujer Luna (2002)
Quentadhark?n (2004)
Sol de Medianoche (2007)

Genre: Progressive Folk

Origin ES

Added: February 27th 2005
Reviewer: John "Bobo" Bollenberg

Artist website: www.amarokweb.com
Hits: 7845
Language: english

  

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