Bonzo Fimbres - 2019 - Combative Life

(51:16; Sahuaro Records)

Track list:
1. Combative Life 7:10
2. Chronicles of the Lost Broadcast of Mr. White 8:13
3. The Alchemist 7:17
4. Gitano Eléctrico 5:12
5. Elahi 7:22
6. Tearing Us Appart 7:51
7. Bestias del Norte Salvaje 8:11

Line-up:
Bonzo Fimbres - all instruments


Prolusion.
Mexican artist Bonzo Fimbres is a bit of an unknown quantity for me, as his internet sites don't really reveal all that much about him. What I do know is that he currently has two albums to his name. "Combative Life" is his debut album, and was released through the label Sahuaro Records in 2019.

Analysis.
Like his album from this year, Fimbres' debut album is one that safely can be sorted under progressive metal. While impulses from other parts of the metal spectrum do find their way into the landscapes explored here, on the metal side of things it is the progressive metal passages that dominates the proceedings.

The main style variations in the strict metal parts here are inclusions of neo-classical and power metal tinged excursions, but the aspect of this production that makes it interesting is what's going on beyond the mere metal runs. For starters we have a liberal amount of sequences where the progressive metal elements are blended with details from jazz, creating a vibrant variety of fusion whenever this occurs. We also get a liberalk amount of servings of parts that explore fusion in a more purebred and non-metal manner, as well as occasional dips into more strict jazz territories. Much the same is the case with the folk and world music parts that is another substantial presence, with Fimbres' also including a little bit of Americana on one occasion.

These instrumental wanderings that move back and forth between different styles and blends of styles will probably not be music that will have a universal appeal, and a mix and production that is adequate rather than anything better will probably also be  a little bit of a limiting factor in terms  of how much impact an album such as this will make. But for the right audience, an album such as this one will be regarded as something of a gold nugget: There's certainly no denying the skill involved on the composed and the performed aspects of this album.

Conclusion.
Those who tend to find artists that take progressive metal as a style and explore it in unconventional manners should find a lot to enjoy on this production. The back and forth and mix and blend with jazz, fusion, folk music and world music is a little bit of a novelty in the first place, and that the material is well planned and executed is obviously elevating the end result and impression here. If expressive and instrumental progressive metal is your cup of tea, this is a brew that should be found rather satisfying.

Olav "Progmessor" Björnsen, November 2022

Links:
https://bonzofimbres.bandcamp.com/