Rostro Del Sol is a band from Mexico City that mixes Psychedelic and Prog Rock sounds with Jazz and Blues veins. Their second album “Blue Storm” was released on September 22, 2023 via Stolen Body Records and contains four tracks between 4 and 14 minutes long. The title track “Blue Storm” opens the album, immediately immersing us in the band’s characteristic sounds. A mixture of retro features between Prog and Psychedelia, with a refined use of horns and continuous tempo changes that enhance the band’s technique. The vocal parts are dynamic and very incisive, alternating perfectly with the intense and elaborate instrumental sections. A band skilled in bringing the most refined atmospheres of early 70s Rock into a modern and personal context, with an energetic and engaging sound full of fine cues and passages. The phrasing between the instruments as well as the soloist inserts are an added value to the sound of the band, which is careful to enhance all the elements of the line-up. A track like this can be defined with one word: Masterpiece. After the impact of the opening track “Kinich Ahau,” another epic over 10 minutes long, it opens with softer, dreamier sounds. Winds lead the melodies, in the first part, and then develop through tempo changes with first the guitar and then the flute into a distinctly retro prog sound. The vocal is warm and expressive and interprets the lyrics with pathos, then leaves room for a refined sax solo insert that takes the sound to another level. In the second part, the band accelerates and inserts an organ solo that takes us back to the early 70s, ending the song in a musical crescendo with the guitar in evidence. Another masterpiece. “El Ritual” opens with an interweaving organ and guitar, developing the track with an energetic and elaborate rhythm section and a retro imprint. The organ drives the sound with engaging solo inserts that lateral to the incisive vocal parts. The band brings the Heavy Prog sounds of the early 70s into a modern context with another high-impact track. The shorter track “Dark Meta” concludes the album, with an intense mixture of horns-guitar and keyboards. Intense and dynamic vocals alternate with engaging choral parts and incisive solo stanzas. The structure is energetic and elaborate, mixing quality prog with the band’s personal traits. A refined sax solo opens the second part, offering a prolonged instrumental section that accompanies us to the finale, enhancing the technique of the whole band. A band that manages to bring the best of early 70s sounds into a modern and personal context. Energetic and elaborate tracks with refined passages that enhance the technique of all the musicians in the band. The retro imprinting blends with the band’s personal traits, creating both in the longer and shorter tracks beautifully crafted textures. A recommended listen for all lovers of heavy prog sounds with forays into Psychedelia and Jazz, an absolute masterpiece of modern music.
Tracklist
01. Blue Storm (14:14)
02. Kinich Ahau (10:20)
03. El Ritual (04:54)
04. Dark Meta (04:42)
Lineup
Mitch García / Guitar
Demian Burgos / Drums
Israel Mejía / Bass Guitar
Roy Cabrera / Voice
Baruch Hernandez / Keyboards
Antonio Alvarez / Saxofon
Daniel Alvarez / Saxofon
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