Release
date: May
20th
2019. Label: Self
Released.
Format: DD
Calma
I – Tracklisting
1.El
Puente 05:50
2.El
Rio 06:32
3.Sueño
de Agua 06:52
4.Atemporal
04:41
Calma
II
– Tracklisting
1.Ruhe
09:42
2.Motorico
07:02
3.Autopista
03:41
4.El
Aliado 05:50
Members
Mariano
Bertolazzi – Bass
Andrés
“el Jeque” Raffo – Synth
Fernando
Figueiras – Guitar
Leonardo
Aldegani – Drums
Review
It’s
quite ambitious for South American Psych Rockers Viaje a Ixtlan to
release a double album with Calma I and Calma II. It would have been
better to release the album as one overall package. Though I’m hear
to review the music and not how they’ve been released.
Viaje
a Ixtlan play a wild blend of Psych Rock, Krautrock, Post-Rock and
Stoner Rock that works for the majority of both albums. The sound can
be too experimental in places but Viaje a Ixtlan have written some
excellent out of this world sounds. The albums sound quite similar to
each other but vastly different as well with
Calma I being the heaviest of the two albums and Calma II being the
more quiet and less forceful release.
The
albums are superbly produced with Viaje a Ixtlan playing a wide range
of different moods and emotions. The vocals are quite personal in
places and feel restrained especially on Calma I. There is a lot of
sonic experimentation on both albums and Viaje a Ixtlan are quite
adapt in marrying off different sounds and genres that shouldn’t
really work but they pull this off with effortless style and grace.
You
can hear some cool sounding “Jazz” influences being played on
different parts of both albums and it has quite a chilled out effect
before the Space Rock grooves appear and return Viaje a Ixtlan to
their heavier Post-Rock/Stoner Rock vibes.
Even
though both albums are quite on the short side each running for 25
minutes. You are treated to some fantastic progressive sounds. If
you’re a fan of EARTHLESS then you will find much to admire here.
Viaje
a Ixtlan have released two superb albums that have every emotional
need and mood covered with their Psychedelic/Spaced Out journey into
the cosmos.
Excellent
and Highly Recommended.
Words
by Steve Howe
Links:
Calma II
