The band Argentina Onirico offers an eclectic and personal blend of Progressive Rock with Symphonic, Jazz Rock traits. The debut album “Between Dreams and Beliefs” was released on December 20, 2024 via Mylodon Records and contains 7 full-length tracks. From the very first approach I had to the album, I immediately realised that I was not dealing with just any old release. The first notes of the opener confirm this, immediately projecting us into the band’s sound, which spans genres and styles through the long duration of the tracks. The band departs from the classic sounds of Argentine and Latin Prog in general, opting for a style that is international, fresh, modern and above all very original. In their refined compositions, the band develops themes that explore and interweave modern Prog sounds with Jazz Rocke Fusion, Neo Prog and much more. With three tracks exceeding 11 minutes in duration, and with the exception of a short interlude “Shapes of the Past,” lasting 26 seconds, the running time is over 4 minutes. After an opener, “The Beginnig,” that combines Prog with the band’s more Jazz and Avant-Prog traits, “House of Mirrors” explores its more Simphonic Prog side. Rich keyboard textures characterise the long instrumental plots, intertwining with the guitar and a solid rhythm section full of tempo changes. First epic track ‘Inner Walls’ features a fresh and modern sound, with dynamic and expressive vocals in English and a sound between Prog and Jazz. The instrumental passages and twists are technical, at times virtuosic. A perfect meeting point between classical and modern sounds. The long duration is used to evolve the themes of the tracks and expresses the band’s musical concepts, enhancing the compositional and performing technique of the artists involved. After that brief interlude I mentioned earlier, “Falling Asleep” is the most delicate and melodic track so far. The band develops the piece more in the form of a ‘song,’ softening the tone in the midst of the complex tracks of the album. In the finale, an intense solo interlacing of guitar and keyboards with melancholic traits takes us towards the end. with the last verses the band ends. “Ex-nihilo” is an 11-plus minute track that opens with an extended Experimental intro, then develops into an intense and melodic Prog piece. The keyboards and guitar offer upbeat melodies over which the warm, epsressive vocals come in, which then gives way to a long instrumental section. Skillful is the band in exploiting these long durations to offer instrumental passages that enhance their technique. The album’s longest track “Redemption” is an epic suite that shows the band’s more Symphonic side. A Progressive Rock that brings back classic atmospheres in a fresh and modern context with markedly personal traits. An excellent debut album for this band that offers an intense tracklist with highly researched passages. The long duration of the tracks allows the band to develop long instrumental textures that are interwoven with warm vocal parts. A recommended listen for lovers of the new sounds of Prog, contaminated by Jazz/Fusion and with long tracks that enhance the band’s compositional and performing technique.
Tracklist
01. The Beginnig (06:46)
02. House of Mirrors (08:58)
03. Inner Walls (13:50)
04. Shapes of the Past (00:26)
05. Falling Asleep (04:55)
06. Ex-nihilo (11:01)
07. Redemption (15:03)
Lineup
Benjamín Hernández / Lead and Backing Vocals, Bass, Keyboards, Drum Programming
Jorge Ostos / Electric and Acoustic Guitars, 12-string Acoustic Guitar, Drum Programming, Additional Keyboards
Additional Musicians:
Luis Querales / Bassoon on “The Beginning” and “Falling Asleep“
Wassim Rahmani / Lead and Acoustic Guitars on “Ex-nihilo,” Production
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