The latest release from the Sao Paulo collective known as Dialeto, Bartok in Rock, delivers exactly as its name suggests, 'rock' based re-imaginations of classic Bela Bartok compositions. The trio of Nelson Coelho (guitar), Gabriel Costa (bass), and Fred Barley (drums), take their love of King Crimson, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Jimi Hendrix, and other hard rock & jazz fusion legends, and pour these influences into the songs of Bartok, delivering what is ultimately a stunning and often times savage listening experience.
Crimson alumni David Cross even joins in on the fun for the opening track "Mikrokosmos 113", his violin playing the perfect foil to Coelho's acrobatic Fripp-meets-Rypdal guitar pyrotechnics. "An Evening in the Village' marries ethnic Far East flavors with ominous prog soundscapes, while "Roumanian Folk Dances 1" takes Bartok's complex melodies and throws in some '70s styled hard rock riffs...Bartok meets Grand Funk Railroad perhaps?! Coelho also contributes a scorching guitar solo on this fascinating rendition. On "Roumanian Folk Dances 3", there's a certain Crimson styled menace oozing about, Costa's rumbling bass, Barley's nimble drum fills, and Coelho's monstrous riffs & eerie noises providing for a truly nightmarish effect. The ominous feel continues on the doom laden "Roumanian Folk Dances 4", though it's followed by the brighter fifth part, complete with some lovely lead guitar passages from Coelho. For the sixth and final part, the band bring out all their hard rock & prog tendencies for a wild & upbeat ride, Coelho firing off plenty of sizzling leads over busy rhythms. It's almost as if Thin Lizzy were jamming along to some Bartok...quite cool. Bartok in Rock closes out with the somber & moody "The Young Bride", a track that slowly builds in intensity, the riffs getting heavier, approaching doom metal territory, littered with booming bass and scalding lead guitar.
Fans of aggressive prog rock & jazz-fusion smattered with some classic '70s styled hard rock will totally get a kick out of this molten pile of Bartok interpretations. Dialeto are a serious band playing serious music, so get this one while it's hot, as there will only be limited digital copies available via MoonJune Records as well as CDs in Brazil only.
See more about this release on our recent YouTube show!
Track Listing
1.
Mikrokosmos 113 04:21
2.
Mikrokosmos 149 03:40
3.
An Evening in the Village 03:21
4.
Roumanian Folk Dances 1 05:39
5.
Roumanian Folk Dances 2 03:15
6.
Roumanian Folk Dances 3 03:48
7.
Roumanian Folk Dances 4 04:20
8.
Roumanian Folk Dances 5 01:54
9.
Roumanian Folk Dances 6 01:54
10.
The Young Bride 05:26
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