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

Reviews

Crucis — Crucis
(RCA Victor ERC-29232, 1976/1990, CD)

Crucis — Kronologia
(Record Runner RR-0130-2, 1976/1994, CD)

Crucis — Los Delirios del Mariscal
(RCA Victor ERC-29233, 1976/1990, CD)

Crucis Cover artKronologia Cover artLos Delirios del Mariscal Cover art

Here's the summary — this is easily one of the best 10 CDs claiming the progressive rock title to be released, well, since they invented the medium! How could any music live up to such lavish praise? If you are into progressive rock at all and are asking the question, it's obvious that you haven't heard this unquestionably essential group, an Argentinean enigma of superb quality and tremendous fire. I'm highly biased towards these since the Japanese Edison/RCA label reissued the two albums Crucis and Los Delerios del Mariscal separately on CD a few years back. To think the Argentineans would reissue them together on one package is a definite plus for those who missed them the first time around. I'd probably rattle on forever if asked, but I'll do my best to be brief...

Crucis were a quartet of musicians of incredible talent playing a 75% instrumental rock of a tight, intense, and spirited nature. Mostly organ based, Crucis' roots are definitely among bands such as Focus, instrumental Yes, Finch, and Camel (circa Mirage) but rarely were any of those groups as consistently excellent as this criminally unknown band. In fact, the closest comparison is really fellow contemporaries El Reloj, which implies that there may be still a whole lot more to uncover from that part of the world. Their debut is arguably the most consistent in terms of mood and song length and every song is an excellent concise and gripping piece of music.

Los Delerios second side may be some of the best music I've ever heard, including an incredibly furious finale with a drum and guitar blitz of practically manic intensity. The first side is more atmospheric and spacey but no less effective. Both on one CD — about the best way I can think of filling 75 minutes of digital space! What can I say? These are two of the best albums I have come across in progressive rock. My highest recommendation if you can hunt it down — the highest.

by Mike McLatchey, Published 1994-10-01

McLatchey's Second Tier

In the early 90s a lot of the great progressive rock albums were only available through Japan and I believe I jumped at the right time and managed to score both of the Crucis albums on CD — I think they were on Edison. Now you can usually find both on one CD starting with Kronologia. This one had a huge impact on me at the time because if I had a number of qualifications for music, one thing I really wanted was a lot of energy and fast pace and Crucis really delivered on both accounts. This wasn't just an obscure bunch of precocious musicians, I really believe that most of the players on the Crucis albums were at an international level of prowess, particularly drummer Gonzalo Farrugia who was an absolute monster. The first Crucis album only has the light tinges of fusion that would show up in force on their second album and mostly what we have is a number of really well written mid length pieces that are notable for great organ and guitarwork. And the band could fly for sure.

by Mike McLatchey, Published 2015-11-12

McLatchey's Second Tier

The short career of Crucis came to an end with the follow-up to their debut album. In the mid 70s. Mahavishnu Orchestra had really laid down the gauntlet and it influenced a lot of bands even outside the style. You can see that impact here as the band moves in a noticeably fusion-like direction, particularly on the second side of this rather short album. The pace of their music is absolutely blistering by this side, climaxing in an almost dizzying guitar and drums duel that is truly one for the ages. My friends and I at the time had this album on a fairly fast rotation basis and even played around with covering this piece at one point, which was probably more audacious than practical at the time. And again, like a lot of groups at this era in their last throes, the melodic nature of it always struck me as a bit sad. It has to be said though that this band really went out on a high note for sure. Definitely one of Argentina's 70s highlights and one has to wonder what happened to such fine musicians.

by Mike McLatchey, Published 2016-11-24

Filed under: Archives, Issue 5, 1990 releases, 1976 recordings, 1994 releases

Related artist(s): Crucis

 

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