From South America comes Blue Mammoth, A four piece progressive rock band started up by bassist and musical producer Julian Quilodran and keyboard player and composer Andre Micheli, rounded out by drummer Thiago Meyer and guitarist Andre Lupac. Since the recording of this self-titled debut album Lupac has left the band and has been replaced by Cesar Aires, who was involved in some of the early sessions. Blue Mammoth plays a style that draws both from 1970's prog & hard rock, so look for influences from Yes, Genesis, Deep Purple, Uriah Heep, Styx, ELP, and Kansas.
There's a great mix of melody, over the top keyboard structures, complex arrangements, and crunchy guitars throughout this debut. Much of the CD is broken down into lengthy multi-part suites, called "Blue Mammoth", "Rain of Changes", and "Quixotes's Dream", plus a few other single tracks. "Blue Mammoth" goes from bombast to atmospheric, with plenty of thunder to go along with gorgeous keyboard passages from Michell, who also has a very nice voice. "Metamorphosis", with its heavy riffs and raging Hammond, is a safe bet for Uriah Heep fans, while the 17-minute "Rain of Changes" contains all the elements modern prog lovers need to have. "The Same Old Sad Tale" almost reminds of vintage Asia, with its more commercial edge and Michell sounding a bit like John Wetton and Lupac adding in some tasty guitar work not unlike the legendary Steve Howe. Plenty of South American flavors on the "Quixote's Dream" suite, while the album closes with the soaring, lush prog of "Resurrection Day" and the Deep Purple influenced heavy rock of "Infinite Strangers".
With its striking cover art and enjoyable music, Blue Mammoth is a nice little proggy surprise here in 2011, and a new band that surely has a bright future ahead of themselves.
Track Listing
1
Blue Mammoth: I – Overture – The Awakening of a Giant
3:15
2
Blue Mammoth: II – The King of Power
6:30
3
Blue Mammoth: III – Winter Winds
4:23
4
Blue Mammoth: IV – Coda – Back Again
1:28
5
Metamorphosis
5:32
6
The Rain of Changes - A Poet Spirit Voyage: I – Growin'
8:08
7
The Rain of Changes - A Poet Spirit Voyage: II – Who We Are
5:21
8
The Rain of Changes - A Poet Spirit Voyage: III – The Sun's Face Through Dark Clouds
3:50
9
Same Old Sad Tale
5:20
10
Quixote's Dream: I – Farewell My Lady
1:19
11
Quixote's Dream: II – Hero
6:58
12
Quixote's Dream: III – Solitude – The Sad End of a Dreamer
0:53
13
Resurrection Day
5:32
14
Infinite Strangers
5:09
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