Progressive rock / metal has been a favorite genre to this scribe since youth. A healthy love of artists from Kansas and Rush to Yes led to the 80s/90s work of Fates Warning, Queensrÿche, and Dream Theater – and the search for new bands never stops. Which brings us to Spain’s Âscent – a quartet of fine musicians who formed in 2014, releasing their debut album in 2017 for Deep Schyzo Cycle while also releasing an intriguing take on The Beatles song “Eleanor Rigby” in 2020. We now have the next full-length Gamma, a twelve-track outing that encompasses almost an hour of material to absorb. It’s another outstanding example of the various dynamics at play when you have the proper tools, experience, and sharp songwriting skills to bring everything home in an ideal framework.
While Koque Latorre handles the main vocal duties, he also has amazing background / harmony support through the work of his compatriots Carlos Vergara on bass and Jesus Guerrero on guitar – often complimentary filling in those crevices with haunting support to build anticipation for the next dramatic payoff. Check out the theatrical twists within “Hades” in this department, bringing classic Pain of Salvation or Leprous to mind. Programming / keyboard aspects give certain tracks a bit more futuristic / industrial touch next to the harsh progressive metal foundation – “Party” one of those swirling cuts that forcefully takes control due to this aggressive chorus before the seductive Nine Inch Nails-like softer touch shifts the atmosphere again. Carlos and drummer Antonio Chaves garner spotlight musicianship on “Nomad” right from the opening notes – you can easily tell the tandem weave their magical charm in a symbiotic dance that fits the sinister chord progressions and lower register melodies. Psychedelic / Middle Eastern textures sprinkle themselves into the mix – “The Worm” being a clear example through it’s opening strains, the instrumental sequences vibrant in adventurous glory next to some superior vocal harmonies.
Diverse as well as innovative, Âscent could be one of those picks to click when it comes to the newcomer crop of progressive rock/metal acts because of the material present for Gamma. The smaller attention to key details keeps interest high for subsequent deeper dives – and this scribe for one can’t wait to hear more from this band in the coming years.