Same Time Next Life is the debut release from multi-instrumentalist Adrian Benavides, a concept album of sorts that was written and recorded in the months following the stillborn death of Benavides' daughter, Velentina. The story itself is deeply personal to the artist, as he tells the tale of a grieving father who is trying to recover from the loss of his daughter. Musically, Benavides is helped here by King Crimson's Pat Mastelotto on drums and touch guitaristi Markus Reuter, and the three musicians have delivered a dark, somber album that contains elements of progressive rock, fusion, industrial, and heavy metal.
Not all of the album works, as a track like "Grit (digging)" is rather unsettling and spooky thanks to some disturbing and repetitive vocal loops, but when the trio digs into some complex, metallic King Crimson inspired riffery with an industrial edge, as on "Exterior of a Heart", things get quite interesting. The more spacey, keyboard dominated "Reflection III" offers up some atmosphere and ambient textures, while the blazing instrumental title track deliv ers heavier passages and well as uplifting melodies, which probably portrays Benavides' acceptance of the whole situation relating to his daughter.
Same Time Next Life probably won't be for everyone, and it's certainly not an easy listen, but there's enough here to recommend to any prog fan, and no doubt King Crimson lovers will want to check this out.
Track Listing
1) Impulse Response
2) Grit (digging)
3) Reflection II
4) Exterior of a Heart
5) Reflection III
6) Same Time Next Life
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