Hidden within the folds of Argentina’s vast Progressive Rock legacy lies Eternidad, a short-lived ensemble whose only album, “Apertura,” remains one of the most refined and elusive recordings of the South American scene. Released in 1977 on the Cabal label, this work embodies the sophisticated blend of Folk sensitivity and Symphonic ambition that characterized a certain branch of the Argentine musical landscape during the late seventies.
Formed in Buenos Aires and active for barely a year, Eternidad brought together musicians of evident technical skill and a taste for melodic intricacy. Their sound bridges the acoustic warmth typical of local Folk Rock with the harmonic depth and textural layering that defined European Progressive Rock. Despite its quality, the album received scarce promotion and limited distribution, factors that relegated it to near obscurity. A first domestic reissue appeared in 1998, again through Cabal, while a fully remastered edition was released in 2022 by Marquee Records (Japan), in collaboration with Fonocal (Argentina) and Paisley Press (Germany), finally restoring visibility to this delicate and thoughtful work.
From its opening suite “Pensamiento Y Vida,” the record presents a coherent musical vision, balancing lyrical grace with compositional sophistication. The dual guitars of Daniel and Roberto Méndez create intricate dialogues, alternating between Yamaha acoustics and Gibson electrics with remarkable fluidity. Claudio Pedra’s contribution on Fender Rhodes, Hammond organ, Mini Moog, and Mellotron enriches the arrangements with a soft yet articulate symphonic texture, while his occasional use of saxophone and flute expands the tonal palette beyond the usual frameworks of Folk Prog. The rhythm section, with Roberto Massarotto on bass and Luiz Yanes on drums, grounds the ensemble with taste and subtlety, maintaining a natural flow that enhances the album’s organic feel.
Musically, “Apertura” positions itself in proximity to the works of Espíritu, Ave Rock, Alas and Aquelarre, yet it retains a distinctive voice — more introspective, pastoral and melodically luminous. Its structure alternates longer, narrative compositions with concise, reflective interludes, creating a continuity that rewards attentive listening. The production, though modest, captures the band’s ensemble dynamic with clarity and sincerity, revealing a genuine sense of collective purpose.
With the benefit of hindsight, “Apertura” can be seen as a document of transition — the last shimmer of Argentina’s Progressive movement before the scene began to fragment under the cultural and political pressures of the late seventies. What makes this record valuable today is not only its musical elegance, but also its role as testimony to an era of artistic ambition pursued in spite of limited means. The rediscovery of “Eternidad” through the 2022 remaster allows a new generation of listeners to encounter a work that stands quietly, yet proudly, within the broader narrative of Latin American Progressive Rock.
Discography
• Apertura (Cabal, 1977)
• Apertura (Cabal, 1998 – Reissue CD)
• Apertura (Marquee Records, 2022 – Remastered CD, distributed by Fonocal & Paisley Press)
SIDE A
A1. Suite: Pensamiento Y Vida
A2. Javier Dejó De Ser Niño
A3. Cuento De Una Niña
B1. Más Cerca Del Horizonte Eterno
B2. Empezando Por Uno Mismo
B3. Ciudad, Mírame
B4. Ahora Que Estamos Solos
B5. Pausa Para Una Ciudad Que Espía
Lineup on the album:
Daniel Méndez / Yamaha Acoustic and Gibson SG Electric Guitars, Harmonica and Vocals
Roberto Méndez / Gibson SG Electric and Yamaha Acoustic Guitars, Lute and Vocals
Claudio Pedra / Acoustic and Fender Rhodes Piano, Hammond Organ, Mini Moog Synthesizer, Roland Mellotron, Selmer Saxophone and Hönher Flute
Roberto Massarotto / Fender Jazz Bass and Vocals
Luiz Yanes / Drums and Percussion