Merèt is an Argentine Prog Symphonic Band, made up of 6 members, including a violinist, which takes its name from Egyptian mythology. Their debut album “Ceremonias” was released on April 12, 2022 via Viajero Inmovil Records and contains 8 tracks including the epic suite that gives the disc its name, over 19 minutes long. The opening track “Leve” immediately plunges us into the Sinfonic Prog atmosphere of the disc with a fine interweaving of keyboard, guitar and violin. The rhythm session is solid and enriched with tempo changes, and the sound has a retro imprint that blends with the personal traits of the band. The vocal is melodic, as per the tradition of Latin American groups, warm and expressive. The track is well composed and well alternates vocal parts and instrumental sections with excellent violin inserts and changes in tempo and intensity. The synth offers a solo inspiration in the second part which then leaves room for the return of the singing and more dreamy sounds in the finale. A sweet piano opens “El Alquimista” to which the violin and a warm and expressive vocal are added, creating a dreamy atmosphere. After this more delicate introductory part, the rhythmic session enters and the intensity increases with the passing of the minutes, with a pleasant final instrumental section with keyboards, violin and guitar protagonists in the solos. “Un Largo Camino a Fin de Mes” begins with a deep bass line and a mix of guitar and synth arpeggios, which soon evolve into a theme of Symphonic Prog. The violin guides the melodies, and then leaves room for the keyboards and an electric guitar solo in the central part. Entirely instrumental and full of tempo changes, in the second part the violin returns to the center of the scene with an intense solo that guides us to the finale, where the initial theme returns and the piece closes. Recalling the sounds of the Italian Progressive of the ’70s “Podrás Llorar” opens with a pompous synth insert on guitar arpeggios. The rhythmic session is solid and elaborate, while the violin alternates with the keyboards at the center of the melodies, and then the sound becomes softer and the vocal enters. Enriched by tempo changes, this track combines symphonic traits, electric guitar inserts and large keyboard weaves with elaborate textures. With an excellent mix of guitar, keyboards and violin “Plano Astral” opens up and immediately comes to life with a more incisive sound. The vocal is warm and expressive and adds a melodic and Latino touch to the music, which alternates vocal parts and very intense instrumental sections. The guitar offers an interesting lead in the first part, followed by a violin full of pathos as the sound softens. The second part is a musical crescendo that starts with an acoustic guitar solo, ending with a very intense sung section. “Intro Ceremonias” is a short introductory piece to the central suite of the disc which accompanies us with a spoken description of the track. “Ceremonias” starts with an Ambient keyboard sound and then develops a theme where keyboards and violin are intertwined on a solid rhythm session. The vocal in the first part is short-lived, favoring the instrumental part, enhancing the compositional and executive technique of the band. In the central part there is a short passage with the piano only, and then in the second part of the track continue to develop the mainly instrumental suite. A choice to privilege the music that I appreciated, the long duration is exploited to highlight the more Progressive aspect and the personal traits of the band, a track that is a masterpiece of modern Prog. The album ends with “Levissimo” an acoustic track with a repeated arpeggio that recalls the melody of Profondo Rosso by Goblin. Permeated with symphonic sounds, a fine violnio solo in the central part and marked references to classical music. With the return of the initial arpeggio, the listening closes. This label features another high-quality band from South America, releasing another well-made Progressive Symphonic album. References to the music of the 70s are present, but proposed with a modern style and markedly personal traits. The instrumental parts as well as being well built and full of ideas are played with technique and quality, as well as the vocal parts that give a more melodic touch to the sound. A must-hear album for all lovers of the Symphonic sounds of Prog, with the presence of the violin that makes the sound particular. The suite that gives the disc its title and that exceeds 19 minutes, is a real masterpiece and cornerstone of this disc.
Tracklist
01. Leve (08:11)
02. El Alquimista (05:15)
03. Un Largo Camino a Fin de Mes (05:14)
04. Podrás Llorar (04:56)
05. Plano Astral (10:07)
06. Intro Ceremonias (01:10)
07. Ceremonias (19:47)
08. Levissimo 03:00
Lineup
Adrián De Simone / Guitar and Vocals
Diego Parra Marino / Bass and Guitars
Heriberto Bargiela / Violin
Juan Manuel Álvarez / Drums, Percussions and Vocals
Pierluigi Oliva Apolo / Keyboards and Vocals
Victor Casabuono – Guitars and Vocals
Guests
Claudio Lafalce – Electric Guitar in “Leve” and Keyboards in “Un Largo Camino a Fin de Mes“
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