Âscent – Gamma
Âscent – Gamma
Self-Released
Release Date: 16/08/2024
Running Time: 58:53
Review by David Barreto
9/10
Imagine you go to check a band live and when you enter you find out there are tables and chairs. OK, sometimes that happens… so you sit in the first row because you are there for the Progressive Metal show that is about to start. The band comes out. YEAH! And it sounds like you are at a burlesque show… what? Well, that’s what will happen the first time you listen to Âscent’s new album “Gamma”.
The band, formed in Madrid, Spain, in 2014, started covering songs like many bands but they pursued finding their own sound and guess what? They did!
I thought I was about to listen to some Progressive Metal with some peculiarities maybe, but not a lot of peculiarities tied together with Progressive Metal!
Brass, syncopated rhythms, synthesisers, tempo changes, sitar… so you are probably thinking of Leprous or Haken. Well, that’s a good starting point to have at least an idea of what you will find when you check out this record.
The opening track, ‘Gamma Community’, could be called an intro. Lasting less than two minutes you get the idea of the band… It is Progressive Metal but don’t think Dream Theater, it is the other kind of Progressive. Nice start. I’m ready! Let’s go!
Second track is ‘Kamikaze’: guitar driven, aggressive and a bit cinematic with all the sound effects. Third track is ‘Master of Nothing’ is another great example of Progressive Metal… Interesting melodies one after another, a lot of guitar licks, some inspiration from India here and there, a keyboard solo… Fast paced with some calmer parts. Hundred percent Progressive Metal.
‘Hades’, on the other hand, is a bit different. Slower, calmer, darker.
But then we move into ‘Nightmare in a Spanish Garden’, the fifth track. Very stereotypical in the beginning… I want you to be sure you realise this is Spain so let’s ‘flamenco clap’ all together… This always works. Why? Because the rhythm of Flamenco is great and it translates very well into any kind of Metal style. This track is all you would expect from a modern Progressive Metal track. Ten out of ten. This is the essence of the band. Top quality. Hats off.
And it is time to fiesta or how you say it in English: ‘Party’. This track is more Nu-Metal than Progressive Metal, but cool nonetheless. ‘Science’ is another very good example of how modern Progressive Metal sounds and should sound. Great track.
‘Heartbreaker’, the eighth track, is a bit on the Dance/Funky side. Very very fun song, a nice way to freshen up an almost one hour long album. ‘Nomad’ is going to be another Âscent’s trademark track. Pure Progressive joy. ‘Calophine’ is again a bit slower. A beautiful track with lovely harmonisation and a great use of brass and piano.
Tracks eleven and twelve, ‘The Worm’ and ‘Black Angels’, are another great examples of Progressive Metal and the confirmation of what definitely is Âscent’s signature sound and style. Great closure for a great album.
I think it is time to move on from “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” to another famous movie title. I will “Do the Right Thing” and since I am “In the Mood for Love” I will rate this album 9 out of 10.
Congratulations Âscent, this is one of the best albums made in Spain I have ever listened to and, considering I am Spanish, I have listened to plenty, but liked only a few.
Hasta la vista, Ever-Metallers!
‘Party’ Official Video
TRACKLISTING:
01. Gamma Community
02. Kamikaze
03. Master of Nothing
04. Hades
05. Nightmare in a Spanish Garden
06. Party
07. Science
08. Heartbreaker
09. Nomad
10. Calophine
11. The Worm
12. Black Angels
LINE-UP:
Vocals, percussions – Koque Latorre
Bass, programming, vocals – Carlos Vergara
Guitar, vocals – Jesús Guerrero
Drums – Antonio Chaves
LINKS:
Disclaimer: This review is solely the property of David Barreto and Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.
