Review Summary: "Cuarto Creciente" has been the first album I've heard by the Spanish band Dry River. And what pleasant a surprise I got!
Produced by the highly renowned guitarist Carlos Raya (Sangre Azul, M-Clan, Fito y Fitipaldis), who also participates in the composition of the song Funeral (which sounds very similar to the splendid Swedish band A.C.T.), this self-edited by the band "Cuarto Creciente" sounds powerful, modern when needed and old-fashioned when appropriate. A success in terms of sound, yes sir.
As for the quality of the songs, there were many doubts among the band's followers after the departure of guitarist Carlos Alvarez (who also was one of the main composer of the band) and keyboardist Marti Ballmunt, but it only remains to say that the compositional and instrumental level is still absolutely masterful on this album (with few exceptions) Progressive, sometimes theatrical hard rock with very catchy eighties touches. It is very difficult to find music of this style in Spanish, and much less with this quality.
The new members of the band, Guillermo Guerrero on guitars and Miquel Centelles on keys also do a sensational job, and I would like to highlight the great singer Ángel Belinchón, who has a wide vocal range and is always pleasant to hear and well intoned. The lyrics are also intelligent and above average in terms of writing. Well done!
So, if you want to listen to a progressive rock record singed in Spanish with a touch of bands like Dream Theater, Queen or A.C.T. mixed with eighties influences a la Van Halen or Journey, I recommend you give this “Cuarto Creciente” a try.
I definitely did not expect such a quality record!
Best Tracks: Culpable (one of the most progressive tracks if the album, tubular bells included), Segundo Intento (great keyboards that sounds like something out of the 80s), Capitán Veneno (fast and powerful, recalling at times the great Spanish band Barón Rojo) and Calles Inundadas (incredible work on guitars and very good poetic lyrics)
