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Electric Asturias — Fractals
((Not on label) AS-0003, 2011, CD)

by Peter Thelen, Published 2013-04-01

Fractals Cover art Asturias began in the late 1980's as essentially the solo project of bassist Yoh Ohyama, who played nearly all the instruments on the first three albums Circle in the Forest, Brilliant Streams, and Cryptogam Illusion, with the help of some guest musicians and vocalists. Then, a long silence of twelve years, after which a real band emerged – first an acoustic version, beginning in 2005 with several albums to their credit at this point, and now 'Electric Asturias,' involving different players than the acoustic band, and picking up essentially where Cryptogam left off, featuring Ohyama on bass, and other members on drums, guitar, violin and keyboards. But make no mistake, with Ohyama as the primary composer and arranger, this is still very much his project, yet the band provides top notch support throughout, with expressive and emotionally charged playing, as well as providing a means to present the electric material in a live setting. This is instrumental progressive rock at its finest, full of the complexity, subtlety and sheer brilliance that has set the genre apart from all others. Folks who know some or all of the band's previous works will find plenty herein to enjoy, and for those who are new to the band, this is as good a starting point as any.

Filed under: New releases, Issue 40, 2011 releases

Related artist(s): Asturias

 

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