Prolusion. The Spanish combo AMAROK is a veteran band on the Spanish progressive rock scene, and from their formation back in 1990, they released new material at a fairly steady pace for the first 15 or so years of their existence. The number of new albums has slowed down after that, and following their seventh studio album "Sol de Medianoche", the band disbanded. "Hayak Yolunda" is the eighth studio album by this seasoned, now resurrected band, and was jointly released by Azafran Media and Musea Records in the fall of 2015.

TRACKLIST:

1.  Universo 8:06
2.  Revelacion 6:02
3.  Gestacion 6:00
4.  Despertar 5:04
5.  Incertidumbre 5:22
6.  Rubicon 7:59
7.  Cenit 6:28
8.  Camino de Vida 3:34
9.  Principio 8:57 

LINEUP:

Robert Santamaria – keyboards; guitars; glockenspiel, percussion
Marta Segura – vocals 
Manel Mayol – flutes 
Pau Zanartu – drums 
Alan Chehab – bass 
Xavi Saiz – guitars 

Analysis. Amarok is a band that appears to be mainly regarded as one belonging inside a folk-oriented aspect of progressive rock, which, on a surface level at least, comes across as appropriate. Not that this band, at least as experienced on this album, is a unit that appears to have a deep desire to blend a vast amount of folk music inspirations to a progressive rock context as such, but because they use some key and trademark sounds throughout that give a strong folk music association, even if the overall style is of a slightly different nature. In terms of general context and orientation, I'd rather state that this is a band exploring a distinctly vintage brand of progressive rock, and a careful one at that. On this album, we're presented to music that, first and foremost, is characterized by being of a careful nature, where dramatic elements and stark contrasts are generally avoided, and the great majority of the different arrangements are rather unobtrusive in nature. Soft and elegant, at least to some extent, and fairly dream-laden at that, but also fairly sophisticated, with multi-layered instrumental arrangements, distinct developments and firm alterations applied on a consistent basis. All the compositions, to a lesser or greater extent, alternate between three distinct modes: mellow, pastoral sequences with plucked or otherwise gentle guitars supporting the lead vocals and fairly often a flute motif or solo, a more elaborate symphonic oriented approach with mainly vintage keyboard arrangements as the dominating element, and then a third variation that blends some or all aspects of the first two. The latter two will also occasionally feature electric guitars rather than acoustic ones in support, and heavy riffs will at times add depth and darkness to the proceedings as well. As for the keyboards, we're treated to both gentle floating textures, more spirited swirling or surging motifs, and also a fair amount of vintage organ details, adding an occasional harder edge to arrangements that, otherwise, might have been a little too soft and unobtrusive. The splendid lead vocals of Marta Segura fit right into this setting, her voice a well controlled one, able to add an edge to her delivery, always indicated that there's more power at hand if needs be, thus providing a subtle and unobtrusive yet still very present nerve to the compositions, of many careful details that in sum add up to material that remains interesting and intriguing, despite the mainly careful landscapes explored.

CD 2 "Archives 2009-'15" (52:33):

TRACKLIST:

1.  Imdhalaia 4:48
2.  Trio 2:14
3.  Nannania 5:05
4.  Touts and Frogs 5:26
5.  El Meu Petit Cel 3:24
6.  La Vinyota's Jig 1:59
7.  La Edad Avanzada 7:10
8.  Norwegian Wood 3:08
9.  Semillas 5:02
10. Goblins' Song 2:43
11. Stratosfear 11:34

LINEUP:

Robert Santamaria - keyboards, guitars, sax, accordion, percussion, vocals
With:
Marta Segura – vocals 
Manel Mayol – flutes 
Manel Vega – bass 
Xavi Saiz – guitars 
Coloma Bertran – violin 
Victor Estrada – theremin 
Miki Gelabert – drums 
Pau Zanartu – drums 

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Related Links:

Azafran Media
Musea Records
Amarok

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