Exposé Online banner

Exposé Online

Not just outside the box, but denying the existence of boxes.
Covering music from the fringes since 1993.

Reviews

Asceta — The Fool Leading the Blind
(Lizard LZCD0207, 2026, CD)

by Peter Thelen, Published 2026-07-08

The Fool Leading the Blind Cover art

It’s been a few years since Asceta’s previous album, and during that time some things haven’t changed, but other things have. The group remains an octet pursuing a chamber-rock sound that shares a style with some contemporary bands from Europe (as well as other parts of the planet) loosely under the influence of Bartók and Stravinsky, using both chamber and rock instrumentation together. Under the leadership of guitarist, flutist, keyboardist, and composer Rodrigo Macchioni, the band membership remains pretty much as it has been on previous recordings (with a couple new faces), employing six- and twelve-string acoustic and electric guitars, synthesizer, piano, electric piano, drums, percussion, electric and fretless bass, flute, clarinet, bassoon, violin, viola, French horn, and cello. What seems to have changed is in the now more aggressive sound palette, slightly more energized and seeming to always be going somewhere, with powerful building crescendos and driving explorations. The amazing 21-plus-minute opening title track is a powerful case in point, always changing and mixing it up, seemingly effortlessly, but never settling down, never falling into repeated patterns, with something new and surprising coming around every corner; it’ll take a dozen or more listens just to get used to the constant churning patterns and twisting fragmentations that define this piece. And like before, there are no vocals to interfere with this ongoing instrumental complexity. The sound seems better balanced between the highs and lows, loud and soft, and much of that is probably attributable the superb mastering job by Udi Koomran. The four remaining tracks each have their own focus, ranging from around five to over ten minutes, some parts rocking pretty hard while others concentrate on melody and texture — certainly with all of those orchestral instruments at your disposal, a lot can be accomplished, and it all seems to flow effortlessly forward under Macchione’s brilliant guidance. Asceta has their own sound now — it’s not Art Zoyd or Univers Zero or Nazca or anyone else. They have a unique and powerful intrumental fingerprint that is like no other band currently operating, but if one appreciates the work of those other artists, then Asceta should appeal to your tastes as well.

Filed under: New releases, 2026 releases

Related artist(s): Asceta

More info
http://btf.it/en/prodotto/asceta-the-fool-leading-the-blind-cd/

 

What's new

These are the most recent changes made to artists, releases, and articles.