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Actitud Modulada — II
(Azafrán Media AP2439, 2019/2024, CD)

Actitud Modulada — Uno con el Mar
(Azafrán Media AP2448, 2024, CD)

by Peter Thelen, Published 2024-07-16

II Cover artUno con el Mar Cover art

An impressive Peruvian symphonic progressive rock band, Actitud Modulada released their first self-titled album in 2018, with a lineup including members of both Fragil and Flor de Loto. Wasting no time, the band had their second album, economically titled II, ready by 2019, but it was never released at that time, instead distributed privately by the band at their shows; some copies may have been sold via Musea, but now in 2024 the second album is finally getting a proper release on Azafran Media along with the band’s third studio album Uno con el Mar; they are separated by a 2022 privately released live album En Vivo en GTN, which is not reviewed here.

The second album starts with a heavy rocker, “Circo de los Lobos,” featuring a powerful lead singer in guitarist Alejandro Susti. “Ella” is introduced by percussionist Dante ‘Choclito’ Oliveros, a piece that goes through a number of changes, soft and jangly to heavy and hard, with flutist Tavo Castillo turning in some beautiful and dreamy melodies, at times reminiscent of early Jade Warrior, while Susti again sings and offers some fabulous lead guitar work. A busy electric piano intro by keyboardist Daniel Lopez Gutierrez opens the somewhat jazzy instrumental opus “9 y 25,” beautifully embellished by some superb electric guitar leads. At this point the band is a seven-piece, featuring (in addition to those previously mentioned) electric guitarist José Salvador Palacios Cussianovich, bassist (and backing vocalist) Diego Sue, and drummer / percussionist Jorge Durand. Fourth up is another instrumental tune, the synth-driven “Circulos,” followed by “Parapente,” an ethnic piece that summons the band’s percussive power before switching gears to a slower paced heartfelt vocal tune with everyone giving their most, and I must say that it’s a joy to review the work of a prog band that doesn’t sound like some other band that’s gone before them — all six tracks on the album are surprising and completely original. The closing cut, “Purussaurus,” is a seven-minute instrumental with a driving beat and juat a slight hint of Lamb era Genesis near the end. Overall, a truly fine slab of classic progressive rock.

Prior to Uno con ol Mar (One with the Ocean) Castillo, Cussianovich and Oliveros left the group, and were replaced by guitarist / mandolinist Guillermo Saldaña and saxophonist David Cabrejos, making the band now a six-piece. The absence of flute and additional percussion and the presence of saxes changed the band’s sound to a degree but there is still a strong commitment to the progressive rock idiom, and the keyboard-guitar-vocal core of Gutierrez and Susti and the formidable rhythm section of Durand and Sue are still very much intact — in fact for the most part, the sound has morphed into something far more symphonic. “Lima Siempre” starts with an infectious latin beat, a vocal tune celebrating the band’s hometown, with sparkling solos for sax and guitars. “Mi Pais” (“My Country”) has a far more mysterious feel, with synths delivering a beautiful melody, reminiscent of something Camel or Finch might have delivered in their heyday. The piano intro that opens “Muelles” has to be one of the most beautiful moments on the album, quickly joined by solo guitar and subtle but edgy rhythms quickly sweeping the listener into symphonic territory for a powerful instrumental. Throughout the album one can hear sampled voices and other sounds that add to the clarity of the concept, the opening minutes of “Angelina / Uno con el Mar” is a prime example, followed by a stunning vocal delivery on the title track and its follow-on “Arenas del Tiempo,” the latter with an unforgettable melody. The album closer, “Tambopata,” is a deep dive into latin stylings with great vocals all around, every player offering their best. A bit of Spanish comprehension will enhance appreciation of both of these albums, but much of the vocal power and magic will shine through just from Susti’s emotive delivery. Two excellent albums, one more rocking and the other more symphonic.

Filed under: New releases, 2024 releases, 2019 recordings

Related artist(s): Actitud Modulada

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