Review Summary: This is Akuem’s debut album. It’s pretty out of the ordinary and easy to listen to. Really something you must hear if you are looking for some Spanish singing bands.
There are not many progressive metal albums that are sung in Spanish, and the ones that are don’t seem to be good enough. Luckily for us, the prog-metal-spanish-speaking fans, there is a band called Akuem that has some great stuff in their pockets. Their debut CD is called “Ultravioleta” and it’s quite a treat. The melodies on each track stick on you like delicious chocolate on your lips. The style is progressive metal, leaning more to the metal side, but also with a wee bit of 80’s rock. Now, let’s cut to the chase and do a track by track review.
The opening track entitled “Si te vas” (If you leave) starts strong and heavy giving you just a taste of what the whole album is about. It’s the shortest one being only 2:40, although its power and energy compensate its short length. Unlike almost all progressive metal bands, the voice on this one is quite different. Zoreda has a strong deep voice that’s so different from all the other high pitched ones. It’s really enjoyable and easy to understand, if you speak Spanish of course.
Guitarist Sergio Aguilar shows his incredible guitar skills on the second track of the album entitled “Sed” (Thirst) by performing an incredible solo that reminds you of John Petrucci’s early years. The song progresses very smoothly and it’s got this positive vibe to it that most rock bands don't have. A lot of the bands just settle for dark and heavy sounds, but Akuem delivers an album with more major chords rather than the dramatic minors. Sed is one of those "positive" songs that make you feel better after listening to them... simply great.
The next one, the title track “Ultravioleta” (Ultraviolet), is probably the most heavy and progressive one of them all starting with an *** kicking riff. Sergio Aguilar uses a 7-string guitar, and by now you start to realize his love for the wah-wah pedal. The song has so much energy that by the fourth minute all you want to do is sing along with Zoreda by repeating “Ultravioleta, ultravioleta!”. The only regrettable aspect about the song is the very long fade out. Perhaps they should have turned that volume down just a bit faster.
Next on the list is “Creer” (To Believe). It starts off as a nice slow tempo ballad. But shortly after, a cool wah-wah riff comes in and the song’s spirit is lifted. In this song one can hear some great bass lines courtesy of Primo followed by yet another melodic wah-wah solo. The song talks about guys wanting to become musicians and honoring those who helped tem in the journey. If you are one of those rock star wannabes, this is the song you were looking for: beautiful and inspiring... after listening to it the only thing you want to do is grab your guitar and go down in history "en honor de los que un dia creyeron en mi" (In honor of those who one day believed in me).
Following, comes “Ayer” (Yesterday). This song is the one with the most 80’s feel to it, especially at the beginning, when Tagle’s keyboards kick in. This song offers some cool drum parts nicely done by Mones. Although the song is cool, I would’ve wished the vocal harmonies were a bit different. This is probably the weakest track, but it has this thing that doesn't let you skip it. Probably because of the relaxing piano parts or the easy-to-relate-to lyrics.
Now, my favorite one comes: “Un minuto” (One minute). This one is the coolest of them all starting with woozy guitar sounds followed immediately by an incredible guitar riff and leading you into dizzying verses with great drum parts. The way Sergio Aguilar plays the guitar on this one makes you think that this band will go far, because by know you know these guys have some powerful stuff going on. The vocal parts are also very melodic and sticky, so much so, that by the end of the song you are screaming with Zoreda and completing his lines.
Last but not least, is “Acércate” (Come closer). As the song starts you think that you are in for another ballad, but then a cool guitar riff comes in while the violins from the keyboards scream nicely in the back. The lyrics for this song are pretty cool, because usually progressive metal bands just settle for dragons and daemons, but these guys go deeper in thought: “Entiende la verdad y encontrarás la libertad” (Understand the truth and you will find freedom). This song is a very good closing track, but honestly, the way it ends is sort of weird: no big fat chord, no long fade out… just a wah-wah guitar stroke and a snare hit. I guess these guys are not the usual gang, but then again, thank God for that.
Overall, this album is a nice treat if you want to get out of the usual progressive metal bands. And if it’s your desire to listen to something fresh and new, these are the guys you should turn to. This is Akuem’s first attempt to get into the music industry and honestly, they have done a pretty damn good job. The best part of it all is you don’t have to speak Spanish to enjoy it, because after all we all speak the same language: music.
Recommended tracks
Sed
Ultravioleta
Un minuto
Acércate
