Luna Negra/Musea /Margen
Psicotropia (SP,2003)****
With some influences of King Crimson, of heavy prog rock and progressive arrangements, with a more than descent rock complexity, always in a accessible way, with a beautiful powerful male soulbluesrock voice (at track 2), with a Jethro Tull like flute (mostly track 7), with nice additional cello and some arranged, almost symphonic rock arrangements (track 4), some very individually styled composed progressive rock (track 6, and 9), or nice heavy rock with various tempo changes (like track 8) this cannot go wrong any more... The ninth track, "Oigo Voces" combines every aspect of this group in its most brilliant way. Last track, "Delicada Sal Titánica", surprisingly is a beautiful poem narration mostly on piano. A brilliant closer, a perfect release !
Within all musical changes, the music gives a surprisingly consistent listen. This approach will not only appeal to many, but also deserves its world wide praise in the progressive rock scene !
Spanish article with pictures :
Psycofonia Rec. Psicotropia : Grog -cd-/ Live DVD (SP,2007)****
Psicotropia have evolved well since their debut, and it is about time there was a second album. I can understand very much how many of the dealers/collectors got tired of the prog genre since the 80s because there has been tons of mediocre melodic & content-less vague repetitions of what once was inspiration. But I am sure that a group with good doses of technical skills and ideas, hardrock-like vocals, and an overall clarity in their arrangements (in a way like Italian 70s prog was in general), or a group like Psicotropia could change their mind. They also take the best of elements with details of playing I have heard before with some groups (I cannot recall all), from various genres and periods, like a doses of Anekdoten on “Vij”, some Primus-like bass elements with funky touches and breaks, some technical metal, skilled composition in the direction of Ruins, a bit of 70s progressive hardrock, a bit of metal riffs, calmer prog and rock with guitars, Rock In Opposition, and even jazz.
Psicotropia is only a Trio, but there are many moments which give the impression, when hearing their sound, they are with double as many members. Psicotropia is Pedro Tato on guitar & vocals, Jaime Mariscal on bass & keyboards and Juan Llull on drums. Two tracks received help from Kotebel’s keyboard player Carlos Plaza, and Jésus Dario and Alberto Nieto on violin, and Ivan Carames on cello.
The video gives very much the impression of a concert, seen from various directions and viewpoints. I liked especially watching the bass player doing some clever things, also with great interactions of the guitarist who also sings. It was here I realized how this was the result of just three people.
