October Equus / Angel Ontalva ~ Spain

Angel Ontalva - Mundo Flotante (2012)

---5/2/13

Ontalva is the guitarist for October Equus, and even though the album is under his name, it's a full band effort made up of members of... October Equus! The difference is this is complex and melodic rather than complex, cold, clinical, and dissonant like the last OE album was. They probably should have just chosen a new name for the band, but who cares really, as this is great. Highly recommended! I hope there's more from this water well to draw from.

---7/20/26

Now what could possibly make me think of Spain today? :-)

Angel Ontalva is the primary mover and shaker behind October Equus. Obviously a creative individual with energy and many ideas to burn. In addition to his primary group, Ontalva has released many solo albums, along with collaborations. Most famously with the Russian space rock collective known as Vespero. Many of his albums are on cdr or online only. His solo debut is Mundo Flotante, a fully realized work manufactured on CD. This is also the debut for the OctoberXart label, Ontalva's primary vehicle for his releases.

So what distinguishes this release from his flagship group? In researching my question, I discovered the review I wrote above (not previously in UMR though). I didn't know I did that! Haha, well the answer is there. Melodic is the keyword. There's a distinct Canterbury feel, not so much that its whimsical or filled with jams loaded with fuzz keyboards, but rather it has a similar compositional take on the jazz rock idiom. The title of the album is what one would call a clue. Reference Soft Machine archival albums at your leisure.

I can also hear parallels to what Patrick Forgas was doing with his Forgas Band Phenomena project. Funny that I just mentioned the same thing on Edition Speciale's Horizon Digitale review. Mr. Forgas is dominating my thought process of late.

Ownership: 2012 OctoberXart (CD). Booklet with artwork and recording details. Acquired in 2013.

5/2/13 (review); 7/20/26 (update)

October Equus (2006)

One never knows when a new force enters into the progressive rock landscape. Steven Wilson meekly introduced himself with his bedroom tapes for Porcupine Tree. Fabio Zuffanti was somewhat anonymous when he hit the world stage with Finisterre. And a one Angel Ontalva announced his presence with a new band called October Equus. Though in this case, Ontalva showed up with a bang, dominating the sounds around him.

When October Equus' debut arrived, I was all about the sound they were creating. Looking at some old notes, I started at a 5 star masterpiece, something I almost never do. They mixed the aggressiveness of Belgium's Present with the psychedelics of France's Nebelnest's debut to create what I considered the perfect recipe. Over time, I've dropped the album a full two points, which still keeps it in the excellent category. Music like this almost immediately finds itself out the door, as I feel I have too much of it. Generally I keep the ones of personal historical interest, that I first discovered in the 80s and early 90s. And yet, I still found myself enjoying the heck out of this one - clearly a cut way above the norm. It's more the Nebelnest influence that holds my interest here - there is a warmness to that sound that balances the cold rigid complexity that avant prog represents. I continued buying October Equus albums through 2013's Permafrost, though I'm not sure how many of those remaining three will remain, but for certain the debut will be here for the long haul.

Ownership: 2006 Ma.Ra.Cash (CD). Historical footnote in English on what October Equus means. Recording details on the back tray. Acquired in 2006.

4//06; 8/13/22 (review)

Saturnal (2011)

Saturnal is the 3rd album from arguably Spain's most complex rock band. Their first album was almost like a psychedelic Present (Belgium), a very interesting combination that I found highly appealing. With each subsequent release, October Equus ups the ante on complexity, while toning down the more jamming aspect of their sound. It's pretty clear this is a band that now must play live with scored music charts, rather than rehashing more simple material and letting loose on occasion. On Saturnal, October Equus has entered the realms of a new force of music - one that was pioneered by Thinking Plague - and now mastered by many more. Sophisticated, dense, mathematical, academic are a few adjectives that can describe the music within. It's the blueprint sound of the AltRock label. Avant progressive at its most pure. And for me, each new album becomes a little less exciting but more intelligent. The fun and creative high school kid is going to be a doctor. His mother would be proud.

Overall, I still find October Equus to be an excellent band. I just wish they'd loosen up a bit.

Former ownership: 2011 AltRock (CD). Acquired in 2012. Downsized in 2024.

3/12/12 (review); 9/20/22

Ontalva's work with Vespero can be found here.

Also own: Charybdis; Permafrost

3/12/12 (new entry)

Vespero (& related) ~ Russia

Vespero & Ángel Ontalva  - Carta Marina (2018)

Carta Marina is the instrumental collaboration album of Angel Ontalva from Spain and the Russian group Vespero. An interesting pairing, but given that both represent some of the best progressive rock music of the last 15 years, I think this is going to be great album. At least on paper.

And it came to pass that yes - it is. Angel Ontalva is the guitar player, chief composer, and defacto leader of October Equus. Their early albums were something of a psychedelic avant prog combination, a unique juxtaposition of sound. And that psychedelic effect was primarily achieved via Ontalva's heavy fuzz tone, and somewhat unhinged playing, which was the dichotomy against the rest of the band's more structured approach. Enter Vespero, arguably the best space rock band operating in the world today. What separates our friends from Astrakhan from the rest of the pack, is that Vespero is not one just to jam out, and hopefully find a groove or two to explore. But rather the group enjoys composition with their improvisation, plus they add indigenous elements for a truly exotic blend. They are at once a space rock band, yet also progressive rock, and while still paying an occasional homage to Krautrock.

So there's your ingredient label, but how does it taste? Excellent in fact. There's a bit of that "two strong leaders vying for the top position" within these songs, and it's clear the impact of each artist's unique sound. At an hour long, there's an investment of time here, especially considering the first listen doesn't reveal nearly enough. It takes a few hours worth of hearing to let it soak through. There are no obvious highlights here, yet there's nothing worthy of skip button status either. While this isn't the peak album of either camp, the results together are still undeniably great. If either band are on your radar today, then you can't go wrong here.

Ownership: 2018 VMS (CD). Digifile. Acquired in 2019.

2/16/19 (review)

Droga (2013)

Droga is the 6th studio album from Astrakhan's Vespero. Here the band seemingly understands what they do best, and exploits the heck out of it. This may be the perfect place to start your exploration of what is possibly the best space rock group of the last 10 years - and that's saying something given the competition. What you'll get here is Vespero's core competencies: The exotic sounds of Western Asia, crystalline female voices, ripping guitar solos, complex rhythm patterns, and various instrumentation to keep you guessing throughout. Every track is labyrinthine in its execution. It's the Korai Orom meets Hidria Spacefolk recipe that they've long since perfected with their own spices. And this time, they have a surprise up their sleeve: How about a big dollop of aggressive space rock similar to the first Nebelnest album? Oh my heart be still. This is Red Bull mixed with espresso.

Ownership: 2013 RAIG (CD). Printed cardboard box. Acquired in 2017.

2/12/17 (review)

Fitful Slumber until 5 A.M.. (2015)

Fitful Slumber until 5 A.M. is the 7th studio album (if we include the split one with Zone Six) from Astrakhan's Vespero. They continue their drive into more progressive oriented compositions, with plenty of fiery jams, and exactly the type of ethnic sounds one would expect from a band residing near the Caspian Sea. Flute, mandolin, and local wind instruments only add to the exotic vibe. Vespero have encapsulated the best of a 40+ year old branch of psychedelic progressive space rock: 1972 era Agitation Free meets 1992 Ole Lukkoye meets 2012 Quantum Fantay. Blend it up, and you have one seriously irresistible dish. A can't miss recipe, no matter how much extra spice they add to it. Hungry yet?

Ownership: 2015 RAIG (CD). Acquired in 2016.

1/29/16 (review)

Vespero / Zone Six - The Split Thing (2012) 

The next studio offering from Vespero is a split album with the German band Zone Six that is titled, appropriately enough, The Split Thing. Vespero contributes 3 new songs, totaling approximately 25 minutes. The sound is a continuation of By the Waters of Tomorrow and can be seen as a further move towards the 70s Krautrock scene. In particular, Can and Amon Duul II seem to have influenced the Russian band to a great extent. The steady rhythms hold everything in place, while the synthesizers float above and the shimmering psychedelic guitar provides the melody lines. There are distinct breaks in the music, giving it more of a progressive rock edge than its predecessor. Perhaps best of all is the addition of flute on the first two tracks, adding just the right spice to the overall dish. I found this a nice return to form for Vespero and is worthy of a 4.5 stars on its own. Personally I don't think Zone Six is a good fit as a complement to Vespero. They are of the modern variety of space rock - bordering stoner metal - where fuzz overload and static rhythms are the order of the day. At 24 minutes, their sole contribution begins to get long in the tooth after about 10 minutes. It's a fine track for the style, but perhaps misplaced with the much more kinetic, and exciting (IMO) Vespero.

Ownership: 2012 Transubstans (CD). Acquired in 2013.

3/12/13; 9/6/14 (review)

By the Waters of Tomorrow (2010)

Vespero continues on with their third album, titled By the Waters of Tomorrow. The band has shed most of their Southern Russian influences for a more straightforward Western European styled instrumental psychedelic rock sound (with 'Gao Zult' being the sole exception). Post rock and Krautrock seem to be the dominating genres here, with echo fuzz guitar, synthesizers, and a driving drum beat. The music on By the Waters of Tomorrow can be described as being relentless. This is a similar direction that Finnish bands Hidria Spacefolk and Taipuva Luotisuora took later in their career as well. Personally, I miss the localized exotic sound, but for what Vespero is trying to achieve here - they've done a more than admirable job. 'Amaryllis', 'Seagulls Sing (When It Rains)', and the aforementioned 'Gao Zult' are the highlights here.

Ownership: 2010 RAIG (CD). Acquired in 2013.

3/11/13; 9/1/14 (review); 7/23/24 (update)

Surpassing All Kings (2009)

Vespero's sophomore effort, entitled Surpassing All Kings, sees Vespero tighten the ship a bit, and add more structure to their compositions. The exotic sounds of the debut are intact, but the energy level is higher and more kinetic. So overall it sounds like Korai Orom playing the music of Taipuva Luotisuora or Quantum Fantay, which is a highly unique combination. There are some killer ear-catching breaks here, such as the mid section of 'Salma Simiere (Cross and Crown)' which recalls Relayer era Yes, of all albums. Other highlights include the powerful psychedelic space rock numbers 'The Tower (XVI)' and 'Serata (i.n.s.i.e.m.e.)', each featuring multiple meter shifts, psychotic guitars, swirling keyboards, ethereal vocals, and complex sequences - almost Canterbury like in their execution. The latter track even has slight elements of Zeuhl, though it remains unclear if that's intentional or not. Melodies are actually thought out, and there's more to latch on here than the usual music-school charts. This is a splendid album, clearly positioning Vespero as one of the best space rock bands on the worldwide stage today.

Ownership: 2009 RAIG (CD). Acquired in 2010.

2010; 8/28/14 (review)

Rito (2007)

Vespero are a space rock band from Astrakhan, a city on the northern shore of the Caspian Sea in Southern Russia, near the border of Kazakhstan. So, in effect, miles from anything familiar. And yet there are few bands today - or perhaps none - that have captured the European spirit of space rock, Krautrock, and progressive rock like Vespero has. Their music is at once exotic, and yet familiar. Somewhere between Korai Orom, Ole Lukkoye, Hidria Spacefolk, 60's Pink Floyd, Can, Ash Ra Tempel, and a yet-to-be-identified group from Kazakhstan. And with that, Vespero begin their studio recording career with the splendid Rito. Psychedelic guitar, spacey synthesizers, pulsating bass, echoed vocals, and pounding tribal drums are what you can expect here. And Rito features their finest track ever (as I write this in 2016) with 'Inna's Burst in Tears', a stunning piece of Agitation Free influenced Middle Eastern space rock with Lisa Gerrard styled wordless female vocals. This song alone leaves one breathless, and is reason enough to explore the entire band's canon. And they do not disappoint. Ever.

Ownership: 2007 RAIG (CD). Acquired in 2010.

2008; 2010; 8/24/14 (review)

Other albums I own: Subkraut: U-Boats Willkommen Hier; Lique Mekwas

8/24/14 (new entry)