Taihr represent one of the most fascinating and atypical realities in the current European independent scene. This multicultural collective, stably based in Cologne but with its beating heart rooted in Chilean traditions, has followed a lightning-fast evolutionary path. Born in 2019 as an ambitious student project, they have transformed into a seven-piece with a complex and unclassifiable stylistic signature. The name itself, “Taihr,” which in Arabic means “bird,” is not only a nod to chance (discovered by the band thanks to a fan after their first concert), but has become a pillar of their aesthetic, tied from the very beginning to recording sessions in a barn surrounded by the singing of birds. Under the magnetic guidance of Chilean frontwoman Génesis Trinidad, and with the essential contribution of keyboardist Mauricio Ricardo Inostroza, the band fuses the technical precision of the German school with the visceral warmth of South America. After the EP “Taihr I” (2022) and the excellent debut “Cambio” (2023), the new “Allicanto” marks their arrival on Tonzonen Records, a label known for its care in producing substantial releases. The title is inspired by a legendary creature from Chilean mythology: the Allicanto, a desert bird with metallic wings that shines in the darkness, capable of guiding miners toward gold veins or, if disturbed, toward the abyss. In this sense, the album is a symmetrical and choral work: seven tracks for seven musicians, where each song acts as a “precious vein” reflecting the individual musical vocabulary of each member of the group. The opening is entrusted to “Kiss,” a track that immediately strikes with the apparent simplicity with which Taihr interweave disparate genres without ever losing coherence. Built on a driving guitar riff, the piece develops as a meditation on the decisional paralysis faced with the freedom of choice. Here the sound is compact, incisive, yet capable of opening up to Jazz and Funky nuances, up to exploding in a Heavy Psych section where the band plays in unison. Génesis‘ vocal performance is multifaceted, capable of moving from confidential tones to an expressive power that seals the track with authority. With “Pisco Fury,” the band invites the listener onto a hypnotic dance floor. It is a sonic mirage evoking the intoxication of pisco (the celebrated Chilean distillate), dressed in Funk and Disco sequins. The rhythm section of David Zilz and Tobias Losch is an engine of pure groove, upon which crystalline guitar textures are grafted. It is a fresh, modern episode that demonstrates how the language of Progressive can happily marry more direct rhythms without losing depth. “Paper Birds” represents one of the creative peaks of the record. For the first time, the band introduces the mandolin (played by Leon Schmidtke), creating an unexpected bridge between Folk and the most nervous Math Rock. The piece is an anthem to emancipation, characterized by a bouncing tempo that evolves into a dramatic crescendo. In the finale, the interweaving of melodic vocal lines and a sharp guitar solo closes the circle masterfully. The most intimate moment arrives with “Heavy Rain,” an introspective track that completely forsakes electric distortion. Here the arrangement is sparse, focused on the warm and vulnerable voice of Génesis‘ singing of unfulfilled desire and the gap between reality and aspiration. Notable is the solo intervention of Martin Halbfass‘ saxophone, which adds a touch of nocturnal elegance before giving way to a vocal finale of rare intensity. The second half of the album (the vinyl’s B side) veers decisively toward more Progressive and sophisticated territories. “Playing Cards” is the perfect example: the duration extends and the structure becomes labyrinthine. The track explores nostalgia and the will to break free from it through intricate instrumental textures. The brass interweave with Mauricio‘s synths, creating sonic beds upon which sudden accelerations with a Psych-Prog flavour are grafted, sustained by a rhythm section that is always precise and directional. “Skeleton Hoofs” projects us into a desert journey, a metaphor for personal transformation and the conflict that accompanies every change. The piece is a true dynamic rollercoaster: it begins with delicate arpeggios and ethnic percussion, before evolving into complex Progressive architectures that incorporate Math-Rock elements. Génesis‘ experiments here with alienating vocal effects, following the evolution of a track that lays bare the band’s will to explore new sonic frontiers. The closing is entrusted to “Tortugas,” where Latin American influences return forcefully to the foreground. Despite a sunny and almost cheerful appearance, the track conceals unresolved existential questions simmering beneath the surface. The central section develops a growing tension, with brass beds and a driving momentum that culminates in a Funky-Prog jam of the highest level. It is the worthy conclusion of a journey that leaves the listener with an irresistible desire to begin listening again. “Allicanto” is the maturity album for Taihr. It is a courageous work that does not settle for consolidating what was done in the past, but pushes the accelerator of sonic exploration, reaching to brush up against territories of Desert Rock and orchestral Progressive with a disarming naturalness. The production by Gunnar Ennen (Gänsefleisch Records) enhances every nuance, doing justice to the layering of the arrangements. Just like the mythological bird that gives the record its name, this work acts as a guide toward “precious musical veins.” It is not merely a collection of songs, but an immersive experience that rewards research and attention to detail. Ultimately, Taihr have managed to fuse their Chilean roots with an enviable technical precision, forging what we can now define as a “unique and unmistakable Taihr sound.” Essential listening for anyone who still believes in the power of cultural contamination applied to Music.
Tracklist
01. Kiss (03:59)
02. Pisco Fury (04:05)
03. Paper Birds (04:20)
04. Heavy Rain (04:37)
05. Playing Cards (05:50)
06. Skeleton Hooves (05:44)
07. Tortugas (6:16)
Lineup
Génesis Trinidad Gálvez Jaramillo / Vocals
David Zilz / Drums, Percussion
Leon Schmidtke / Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Mandolin
Mauricio Ricardo Inostroza Andrade / Keys, Synth, Fluglehorn, Backing Vocals
Maximilian Hartmann / Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Martin Halbfass / Saxophones
Tobias Losch / Electric Bass Guitar
Purchase “Heavy Rain” on Bandcamp: https://taihr.bandcamp.com/track/heavy-rain-single-edit