Azabache - Dias De Luna (Reissue, Remastered) (1979/2005)

Usually when I find some Spanish band in the Symphonic sub-genre I have some doubts, not about their quality because most are really impressive but about the category in which they should be included, being that in most of the cases are clearly Flameco or Andaluz inspired and for that reason belong to the Prog Folk sub-genre.

AZABACHE is not one of this cases, of course they have some influences of their national and ethnic identity (Something absolutely nobody can totally avoid) but their structure and general atmosphere is clearly oriented to a lighter Symphonic atmosphere borderline with Neo Prog..

In 1978 - 1979, after their participation in another project called AZAHAR, Gustavo Ros (Keyboards) and the Uruguayan bass player Jorge "Flaco" Barrall ("Skinny") join Daniel Henestrossa (Guitar/Vocals) and Ricardo Valle (Drums) to form a new band named AZABACHE, all this in the dark years when the Classic Progressive Symphonic bands suffered under that earthquake called Punk and the commercial success of Disco Music.

As any product of that era, their sound is no longer as strong as the the one from the original pioneers of Symphonic neither to the Flamenco or Andaluz Folk oriented Prog, the commercial influences are stronger but still the project had great merit keeping alive the spirit of Progressive Rock in the new Spain.

They were able to release two albums "Dias de Luna" ("Moon Days") in 1979 and "No Gracias" (No Thank You") in 1980, with a moderate success, maybe the problem is that this releases were too soft for the traditional Prog fan used to bands like TRIANA or AZAHAR (More oriented towards the ethnic Andaluz style) but too challenging for the mainstream audience.

If you're a fan of Spanish Symphonic bands with a touch of their exquisite ethnic influence you should give AZABACHE a chance, it's worth.