Klotet, Sweden

News: Not much news here. The cover above represents their 3rd album released on cassette and CD-R only. So I haven't heard it yet. Still posting in 2019 though. Last check: February 15, 2020

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Location: Uppsala

Overview: Klotet are a modern band who play in a very Swedish 1970's sort of way. Utilizing only analog keyboards, and a fuzzy electric guitar, Klotet conjures up classic Kebnekaise, Harald Hedning, Lotus, and Flasket Brinner.

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Tanger, Argentina ***INACTIVE***

Progressive rock; Space rock

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Latest release: Mundos Paralelos (2008)

---UMR notes

Mundos Paralelos (2008)

With Mundos Parelelos, Tanger finally carries the same lineup forward. Not surprisingly, the sound doesn't evolve much. Though it's clear that Tanger are beginning to slow down as rockers, and the flute becomes even more of the focus. At this point, Tanger are starting to resemble more the Catalonian group Gotic more than Humus and King Crimson, though that's overstating it somewhat.

Ciudad (2006)

Once again Tanger changes the lineup on Ciudad, this time replacing the guitarist and the drummer. And as per protocol, not much changes regarding the music. The psychedelic aura is perhaps slightly more toned down, and melodic interplay is more championed. At this point, Tanger are sounding more like an updated version of the obscure 1970s Chilean group Blops at the time of Locomotora.

La Otra Cara (2002)

Very little changes from their debut on Tanger's sophomore effort La Otra Cara, perhaps only scaling back the excess slightly, with only one of the (again) 12 songs exceeding the 5 minute mark. It is interesting to note that Tanger did swap out flautists, and yet you wouldn't notice unless you had a scorecard. Tanger seems to be modular when it comes to the individual's participation.

Tanger (1999)

Tanger's debut is quite startling, and was quite a revelation for me in 1999. The sound is right from the Mexican school of neo psychedelic space rock as championed by Loch Ness, Humus and Frolic Froth. A thick, wedgy and very psychedelic guitar sound permeates. Muddy bass and thunderous drums takes you through the wilderness of the Andes, and images of Krautrock legends such as UFO era Guru Guru are not far away. The angular nature of the compositions call out another obvious influence: King Crimson at the time of Larks' Tongues in Aspic. But that only tells half the story: Tanger's ace-in-the-hole is the contrasting instrument amongst the fray - that of the flute. So in the end you get 12 individual tracks of an all-instrumental psychedelic version of the Beauty and the Beast. Beautiful and melodic flute lines are offset by evil and mean fuzz guitar licks. Colucci himself is probably the least intrusive of the band members, primarily staying in the background, content on keeping the proceedings grounded with his steady hand on the bass. And this is the formula Tanger takes forward to the future.

10/27/12 (new entry)

Arbatel, Mexico ***DISBANDED***

Italian styled prog

Latest: Sumerios (2009)

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UMR review page for Arbatel

I Treni All'Alba, Italy (Eddie review)

I Treni All'Alba - 2011 A.D. 2011 INRI Torino

Today's post is once again courtesy of our friend Eddie Lascu, who penned this for Gnosis earlier in the year. I haven't heard the album myself, but it sounds intriguing!

"Many musicians ought to ponder what other approach to create good progressive rock has left untouched and unexplored, so that the music released sounds fresh and original. How about two duelling acoustic guitars? Yeah, that hasn't been done, it could work. And it does indeed. I Treni All'Alba is a new band from Torino, Italy. "2011 A.D." is its second album after the 2008's "Folk Destroyers". While I haven't heard the debut, I understand that the sophomore effort marks a departure from a somewhat folk-oriented sound (which apparently got destroyed on that first album) and a venture into the Rock Progressivo Italiano realm. Not surprisingly, we are welcoming such unexpected turn of events.

Adorning an amazing cover by Domenico Sorrenti, the focus on this entire instrumental album is on the duel of the band's two acoustic guitarists (Daniele Pierini and Paolo Carlotto), both with obvious classical training background, as the sound is well anchored in the Spanish and Flamenco style of playing. Sabino Pace adds layered support on piano and various keyboard instruments. The quartet is rounded up by drummer Felice Sciscioli and he turns out to be an extremely versatile musician as the sudden sonic outburst on the second track of the album, "Attila", would suggest. Although not a member of the band, Francesco Vittori is complementing the rhythmic section on bass guitar on all 9 tracks of the album.

The album is opened by "Intro" a rather short, pastoral piece that is not giving away the onslaught that is about to be unleashed. The track segues nicely into "Attila" and almost one minute into it, you are hit by the first wave of the high level of energy that this band can display. The third track, "L'Arte della Guerra" is probably the best of the album, showcasing the amazing trumpet work of Felice Moro. His delicate touches help elevate the tension of the song to dramatic overtones of a real Mexican standoff. Just listen and you will see what I mean.

"L'Apocalisse" is the longest track of the album, clocking in a little over 8 minutes, but despite its length, the band moves flawlessly through several musical themes, so that you will barely notice the passage of time. The only song where the dual acoustic guitar over piano interplay is abandoned and replaced by hard electric guitar riffs is "Tempi Moderni?". The formula may be different, but the outcome is the same: excellent progressive rock music. The electric guitar will make two more cameo appearances on the last two tracks of the album but by now your impression is formed: you will always remember I Treni All'Alba for the great use of acoustic guitars to create fresh, exquisite progressive rock music.

Eddie Lascu
January 3, 2012

I Treni All'Alba:
Daniele Pierini - acoustic and electric guitars, tuba and trombones synth
Paolo Carlotto - acoustic and electric guitars, guitarra de coimbra
Sabino Pace - piano and synth
Felice Sciscioli - drums

Featured guests:
Francesco Vittori - bass guitar in all songs
Ramon Moro - flugelhorn in "L'Arte della Guerra" "

La Desooorden, Chile

News: It would appear the band is no more. I'll leave this page up as reference in case things change.

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We also once housed Eddie's review here. It's been moved over to Gnosis.

Barrett Elmore, Sweden

News: Not much new in the world of Barrett Elmore since the release of Woodlands in 2012. Last check: December 26, 2018

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Location: Stockholm

Overview: Neo psych band similar to other Swedish groups like Dungen and the whole Subliminal Sounds stable.

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Garden Wall ~ Italy

Prog metal; Neo Italian prog

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Reverb Nation

Latest: Assurdo (2011)

UMR review page for Garden Wall

3/29/12 (new entry)

Lunar Dunes, England

News: Nothing much from Lunar Dunes since the release of Galaxsea in 2011. Apparently they are related to, or have morphed into, a band called Solus-3, and that's where the samples below sit with.

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Location: London

Overview: Lunar Dunes are a top tier psychedelic space rock band with well written melodies and a tinge of the Middle East.

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