Obskuria ~ Germany ~ Peru ~ USA

Discovery of Obskuria (2007)

Obskuria, a moniker that is most certainly appropriate, was born out of some impromptu jam sessions that took place in Mannheim circa 2006. The core group is made up of Peru's La Ira de Dios along with the keyboardist from native Karmic Society, and the guitarist from Cleveland, Ohio's Dragonwyck. So not only do we have an international space rock troupe, but one that crosses multiple generations. Most of the music is a fine example of instrumental Krautrock, with Hammond organ starring in a major role, and some fine acidic guitar leads with tribal drumming. It is this element that I would think will be of most interest to potential future buyers. The rest, including the two openers and closers, are cover tunes that give the project a novelty feeling, which is rarely a good thing. Though I have to admit the maudlin cover of Metallica's 'For Whom the Bell Tolls' was intriguing, and interesting to hear the tune swathed in organ. Overall, a very good album for fans of that early 70s German Krautrock sound, without too many surprises.

Former ownership: 2007 World in Sound (2xLP). Gatefold. The final track from the CD was cut. Though it's one of the cover tunes as mentioned above, so I'm not sure how essential it is in any case.

3/11/16 (acquired / review / new entry); 7/6/25 (update)

Kharmina Buranna - El Arte de Seguir Vivos. 2008 Peru

Though from Peru, Kharmina Buranna remind me quite a bit of the 1970s Argentine progressive rock scene. They squarely fit the "retro prog" category and play a direct mix of early 70s styled blues rock mixed with classic era Yes, and a dose of 70s Italian progressive rock. So imagine a cross between El Reloj and Ave Rock. Other guideposts would include Invisible, Agnus, and Espiritu. Kharmina Buranna definitely are Western European sounding, and do not possess any indigenous elements in their sound, differentiating them from their peers like Flor de Loto or Supay. El Arte de Seguir Vivos has many twists and turns, and contains a fat 70s analog sound. It holds up well on repeated listens, and something new reveals itself each time - always the hallmark of a great album.

Ownership: CD: 2008 Mylodon (Chile)

2/19/13 (new entry)

Kharmina Buranna - Seres Humanos. 2012 Peru

Seres Humanos continues in the same path, though they aren't as pointedly retro, and their sound has been updated ever so slightly. While the analog keyboards and production are still in full force, the composition style reminds me of the best bands of the early 90s. Gone is the blues rock, and in its place is a more stately sound with added female vocals. I hear a cross between Quaterna Requiem with Solstice in many places (though there is no violin). I found their new album no less enjoyable than the debut, despite a conscious move away from the early 70s style. The compositions are multi threaded and consistently engaging. Kharmina Buranna has certainly put forth a strong argument that they may be the best pure symphonic progressive rock band from South America today.

Ownership: CD: 2012 Azafran (Mexico)

2/18/13 (new entry)

Montibus Communitas. 2012 Peru

A sister group to the band Ayahuasca Dark Trip that we featured yesterday, Montibus Communitas (Mountain Community) are more tribal and atmospheric than the ambient metal of the former. Though a 6 piece ensemble, who play a myriad of acoustic and electric instruments, the band seem more like a free folk collective than a rock band per se. Montibus Communitas' music is about cycles, trances, and meditation. Deeply ritualistic.

Ownership: LP: 2012 Cosmic Eye (Greece)

2/5/13 (new entry)

Ayahuasca Dark Trip - Mind Journey. 2010 Peru

Ayahuasca Dark Trip are a psychedelic ambient band from Peru that use guitars and soft vocals to achieve a hypnotic affect. Dark and mesmerizing, the group lull you into the site of Machu Picchu ever so slowly. Just when you think it's safe to close your eyes, a pulverizing blast of metal comes plowing through the speakers to pummel you into submission. Ayahuasca Dark Trip are an amazingly patient band, who have tapped into an ancient ritual - deep in the recesses of your mind.

Ownership: LP: 2012 Cosmic Eye

1/30/13 (new entry)

Flor de Loto ~ Peru

Imperio de Cristal (2011)

I suppose it was inevitable, but Flor de Loto seems to have gone "whole hog" for prog metal on their 4th and latest album. While it would be unfair to classify this as Dream Theater with pan pipes, there is no denying the band's conscious move to the metal world. There's also many more vocals than prior, which detracts from their former focus as a creative instrumental band. Tracks like 'El Jardin Secreto' show that Flor de Loto haven't forgotten their past, and are more than capable to put together an instrumental psychedelic piece in the grand tradition of the masters like Los Jaivas, with gobs of wah wah fuzz guitar and flute. Still, it seems the band have painted themselves into a corner, and the concept is becoming monotonous. If reviews of any future albums state that Flor de Loto is moving even closer to the center, then I'll probably stop here at Imperio de Cristal. Too bad the band hasn't explored further their psychedelic ambitions that they hinted at on their first two albums. They were definitely unique among bands. Not anymore it appears.

---2/25/24

After some reflection, it's worth owning at least one of their albums in this category.

Ownership: 2011 Mylodon (CD). Booklet with lyrics, photos, and recording details. Acquired in 2012.

11/19/12 (review); 2/25/24 (update)

 

Mundos Bizarros (2009)

After two albums of pretty much perfecting their brand of instrumental heavy psychedelic rock meets Los Jaivas sound, it was obvious to Flor de Loto that they probably needed to alter their sound a bit, or they would begin down the road to being irrelevant. And that's just what they did. The collection of songs on Mundos Bizarros explore new directions in two different ways. One, they expand the compositions with more complexity and anted up the progressive quotient quite a bit. On the other, there are far more vocals here, adding some song craft that was missing prior. Not to say they've completely abandoned the sound of their first two opuses. In fact, when they do reach into their musical past, Flor de Loto are able to seamlessly mesh it within the context of their new direction, giving it a new fresh perspective. As well, the guitars are slightly heavier this go round, indicating a move to the prog metal camp on occasion. It will be interesting to see where Flor de Loto goes from here.

---8/28/26

Well unfortunately they went prog metal. Not sure what they did after their 4th effort as I bailed at that point. But this album holds up in a big way. Crazy World, yea, they got 'dat right. The guitars are heavy, but nowhere near metal. Flute is prominent and half the album is instrumental. What a great band Flor de Loto were in their prime. I'm up for hearing everything they've done, though I'm bringing caution to my optimism.

Worth mentioning that I have been to Lima since I wrote these reviews. The artwork here is exactly the style I saw at a brewpub that was excellent (the food, beer, and artwork). I would not be surprised to learn the artist is the same.

Ownership: 2009 Mylodon (CD). Booklet with unique artwork, lyrics, and recording details. Acquired in 2010.

2010; 11/18/12 (review); 8/28/26 (update)

 

Madre Tierra (2007)

Largely an extension of the debut, with perhaps a bit more extending of both of their distinctive styles, making the pole that much longer. On the one hand, the "Western" part of their sound is heavier with more jamming guitar and psychedelic solos. And then their Peruvian indigenous side is given more space for the variety of pan flutes and traditional melodies to be played out. Not surprisingly, Flor de Loto are at their best when melding the two for what becomes a pure fusion - a term that is often misused in the modern day lexicon. Overall Madre Tierra shows enough growth to distinguish itself from the debut. Hence, another recommended title.

Ownership: 2007 Mylodon (CD). Acquired in 2007.

09/17/07; 11/18/12 (review)

 

Flor de Loto (2005)

The Mylodon label has been responsible for turning up some great bands from Chile, and it’s nice to see them reach over to their northern neighbors in Peru, where we find the excellent band Flor de Loto. Peru had quite the psych scene in the late 60s and early 70s, and they possessed one of the world’s most exciting music movements of the day. But political conflicts were particularly hard on Peru, and the country degenerated into chaos throughout most of the 70s and 80s. Stability seems to have returned, and now we’re getting a new crop of music acts. Flor de Loto are very much a modern band, but one with two feet in the past. One foot goes to the heady days of the early 1970s that produced the progressive rock scene. The other "feet" goes way back to the indigenous tribes, and their musical traditions and folklore. So along with the usual rock instrumentation of guitar, bass and drums, they have a dedicated winds performer who plays on a variety of flutes, both classical and traditional. Somewhere between the aggressive Japanese band Naikaku and the classic Chilean group Los Jaivas is where you’ll spot the sound of Flor de Loto. Their formula is one that can go in many different directions and still be exciting.

Ownership: 2005 Mylodon (CD). Acquired in 2007.

6/12/07; 11/17/12 (review)

11/17/12 (new entry)