October Equus - 2022 - Noches Blancas, Luces Rojas

(51:30; OctoberXart)

Track list:
1. Noches Blancas, Luces Rojas 23:43
2. Arrecia Tempestad 4:40
3. Entre Rostros Y Sombras 6:34
4. Rara Avis 3:17
5. Un Viejo Conflicto 5:03
6. Hasta El Fin Del Tiempo 8:13

Line-up:
John Falcone - bassoon
Víctor Rodriguez - keyboards
Avelino Saavedra - drums
Angel Ontalva - guitars, bass


Prolusion.
Spanish band October Equus was formed back in 2003, and after releasing their first studio album in 2005 they have delivered new studio material every three years on average since then. The line-up has been altered a few times over the years, with composer and musician Angel Ontalva as the main recurring member throughout. "Noches Blancas, Luces Rojas" is the seventh studio album to be issued by the band, and was released through the label OctoberXart Records in the summer of 2022.

Analysis.
As far as progressive rock goes, October Equus has a past as a renowned explorer of the slightly more challenging aspects of progressive rock. Not as much in terms of being technically virtuous and difficult to fathom, but rather in terms of being more expressive and focusing more on a progressive attitude and orientation in the material explored. This is a trend that continues on this most recent album of theirs.

The material here tends to stay and stick to more of an atmospheric laden landscape of music. All the compositions are instrumental, and floating layers of keyboards, organ and guitar soloing exploring landscapes at a fairly slow pace is the norm throughout, with occasional surges into midpaced territories and tighter arrangements adding variations and a bit of unpredictability.

It is the use and the role of the instruments that makes this music more challenging, with the bassoon having a central role throughout alongside the guitars and the various tangents used, and rather than sticking to atmospheric laden landscapes with a symphonic orientation the instrumentalists will add in touches and elements from jazz and classical music here and there, primarily chamber music for the latter from what I can hear. The former is probably a bit more present than the latter though. That elements from folk music appear here and there probably warrants a mention too, and that many of the compositions have a sound and vibe to them that I tend to describe as Crimsonian will probably be a useful description for some too.

While all the creations here strikes me as being solid and well developed affairs, for my taste in music it is the conclusion of this production that represents the high points for me. 'Un Viejo Conflicto' adds in some compelling groove elements here and there that adds an extra layer of compelling features to this track, and the final composition 'Hasta El Fin Del Tiempo' manages to execute a subtly greater amount of tension by way of contrasting elements and darker undercurrents that also manages to raise tension and attention in a slightly more impressive manner than elsewhere.

Other than that I do note that this isn't an album to approach if positive and uplifting music is what you crave, as the mood and atmosphere here is more somber and ominous in tone, spirit and execution. A bit more of an introverted creation perhaps, possibly taking in the state of the world as it has been for the past few years.

Conclusion.
Instrumental progressive rock with a bit more of a challenging expression and with inclusion of elements from jazz, classical music and folk music is what we get here, delivered in an impeccable manner by a seasoned band that know how to create music that is demanding and expressive but also compelling and relatively easy on the mind: You will have to look elsewhere if quirky technical instrument movements and abrasive arrangement choices is what you crave. But if easier to grasp landscapes dripping with distinctly dark and ominous moods explored in an expressive manner sounds like a good thing to you, this should be quite the rewarding album experience.

Olav "Progmessor" Björnsen, September 2022

Links:
https://www.facebook.com/octoberequus/
https://www.facebook.com/octoberxart