HOUSE OF PROG RADIO

by Geoff Penn | May 16, 2021

This complex symphonic progressive rock project is the collective workings of talented Brazilian musicians and brothers Luis Fernando and Paulo José Venegas. They are, very much the champions of humanitarian issues and have utilised their poems about such concerns in respect to world problems and particularly the freedom of speech which they have integrated with their true passion for music. This combination of which has then been the inspiration for this album.

Fusing together combinations of guitar and keyboard structured rhythmic patterns with computer-enhanced orchestral effects they have generated the basic musical foundations for this album. Subsequently then infused within the body of the music are the mostly spoken or even whispered lyrical projections spelling out facets of the storyline subject matter. “Minor” is an album with a powerful message about the seeking of freedom. Such scenarios of course are prevalent today particularly with the transportation of refugees from war-torn countries. But although the music, from a lyrical aspect, carries a strong message it is the actual music that is of interest here and central to the purpose of this review.

Clearly, the musical arrangements are the result of ingenious multitasking involving a multitude of different instruments played by Luis and Paulo with the addition of computer-enhanced classical string arrangements and charming choral effects. The whole affair is beautifully layered with time changes galore and full of melody and symphonic drama. In parts, it could certainly be part of some magnificent modern-day orchestral philharmonic performance. It is though hard sometimes to separate what is computer generated and what is instrumentally and physically played, but it really doesn’t matter as it is the overall sound in terms of the final production what counts. What can be determined are oodles of lovely treated guitar sections very much Floydian in style and pace with some glorious keyboards and piano interspersions. There are too several changes in musical style, not quite crossing quite over into the jazz-rock field but almost and then the odd foray into Western ballad territory.

Such complications of studio recording techniques obviously restrict the ability of the two brothers from playing live without the injection of other musicians to form a band but maybe this is an area of deliberation. I noticed that In September 2017 the album was released, to an audience in a movie theatre, in Porto Alegre, Brazil.

Summary: An interesting studio production creating some nice symphonic progressive rock. The lyrical content, whilst prevalent, could limit the number of times in which you might listen to the album without an extended break.

CABEZA DE MOOG

JUN 04, 2018

Grupo compuesto por dos hermanos de Porto Alegre, Brasil. Muchos estilos musicales para un sabroso rock sinfónico, con una lírica situada en épocas de esclavitud y falta total del concepto de los derechos humanos. A lo largo de las canciones, Minor habla sobre la vida, el afecto, el miedo, el sufrimiento y su búsqueda en la búsqueda de escapar de la esclavitud, con el marco creado desde un dramatismo sinfónico muy cinemático y con mucho aire a Genesis. Minor quiere contar su historia... para que no vuelva a suceder nunca más. Todo un descubrimiento en el amplio escenario del rock progresivo latinoamericano. Este complejo proyecto de rock progresivo sinfónico es el trabajo colectivo de los talentosos músicos y hermanos brasileños Luis Fernando y Paulo José Venegas. Son, en gran medida, trabajadores en cuestiones humanitarias y han utilizado sus poemas sobre tales preocupaciones con respecto a los problemas mundiales y particularmente a la libertad de expresión, que han integrado con su verdadera pasión por la música. Esta combinación ha sido la inspiración para este álbum. Los invito a conocerlo, les aseguro ue nadie se sentirá defraudado.

Las ideas detrás de su música reflejan sus puntos de vista sobre la vida, la naturaleza humana en su idiosincrasia. La historia de su álbum "Minor" trata del afecto, el miedo, el sufrimiento y la búsqueda de hombres para escapar de la esclavitud. Luis comenzó a escribir poemas sobre temas existenciales que se volvieron la lírica de este disco, lamenteblemente en inglés y no en su idioma natal. Paulo José, su hermano, se unió a él componiendo los temas con su guitarra, usando progresiones de acordes complejos, patrones rítmicos tanto comunes como impares y armonías inusuales, creando un interesantísimo rock sinfónico, y añadiendo instrumentos musicales de varios países, añadiendo un poco de música del mundo a su estilo sinfónico. Las influencias de la música van desde Genesis, a Simon Says (a éstos los tenemos ue traer al blog cabezón) y la música del mundo.

Al fusionar combinaciones de patrones rítmicos bien estructurados en base a las guitarra y teclados, y añadiéndoles efectos orquestales creados por computadora, han generado las bases musicales para este álbum. Posteriormente, se infunden dentro del cuerpo de la música las proyecciones líricas, en su mayoría habladas o incluso susurradas, explicando las facetas del tema de la historia. "Minor" es un álbum con un poderoso mensaje sobre la búsqueda de la libertad. Tales escenarios continúan hoy en día particularmente con el transporte de refugiados desde países devastados por la guerra. Pero aunque la música, desde un punto de vista lírico, conlleva un fuerte mensaje, la música es perfecta de por sí sola.

Claramente, los arreglos musicales son el resultado de una ingeniosa tarea que involucra una multitud de instrumentos diferentes con la adición de arreglos de cuerdas clásicos y encantadores efectos corales. Todo el asunto está muy bien cubierto con cambios de tiempo en abundancia y lleno de melodía y drama sinfónico. En parte, sin duda podría ser parte de una magnífica actuación filarmónica orquestal moderna. A veces es difícil separar lo que se genera por computadora y lo que se toca instrumental y físicamente, pero realmente no importa ya que lo que cuenta es el sonido general en términos de la producción final. Lo que se puede escuchar son montones de hermosas secciones de guitarra, muy floydianas en estilo y ritmo y con algunos gloriosos teclados y piano. Estas complicaciones propias de técnicas de grabación de estudio obviamente restringen la capacidad de los dos hermanos de tocar en vivo sin la inclusión de otros músicos para formar una banda, pero tal vez ello no le interese a la "banda". Sea como sea, el disco fue lanzado en una sala de cine, desconozco cómo lo llevaron a cabo.

Resumen: Una producción de estudio interesante que crea un muy buen rock progresivo sinfónico, con mucho clima, teatralidad, dramatismo y atmósferas. Hay demasiados cambios en el estilo musical junto con un contenido lírico principalmente recitado. Muy lindo disco, emotivo, agradable, fácil de escuchar y muy teatral. Todo un descubrimiento en el amplio escenario del rock progresivo latinoamericano. Bah, otro descubrimiento de los tantos que se encuentran luego de escarbar un poquito debajo del mainstream. Se los recomiendo.

The Sound of Fighting Cats Blog

Mar 27, 2018

“The debut album from this Brazilian band. Ars Pro Vita is the Venegas brothers, Paulo Jose and Luis, band. They are playing everything here. That means synths, guitars, samples, programming and vocals. Ars Pro Vita is a new name in the symphonic prog scene and very much a welcome addition to the genre.

Minor is a one hour long album. An album that reminds me a bit about the French band Elend. But there is also a lot of acoustic and more human sounds and music here. There is indeed some semi-acoustic tracks here with vocals. My fear about another instrumental albums with cascades of synths was not founded in reality.

There is a lot of vocals and pretty nice songs on this album. All of them are pretty pastoral and mellow. All of them pretty symphonic too. The album returns to being instrumental symphonic prog at the end of this almost one hour long album.

I am surprised how pastoral these songs are and how organic most of this album is. This is indeed a good album who promises a lot for the future. Get this album."

ProFILPROG

Mar 15, 2018

“Clearly the musical arrangements are the result of ingenious multitasking involving a multitude of different instruments played by Luis and Paulo with the addition of computer enhanced classical string arrangements and charming choral effects. The whole affair is beautifully layered with time changes galore and full of melody and symphonic drama. In parts it could certainly be part of some magnificent modern day orchestral performance. It is though hard sometimes to separate what is computer generated and what is instrumentally and physically played, but it really doesn't matter as it is the overall sound in terms of the final production what counts. What can be determined are oodles of lovely treated guitar sections very much Floydian in style and pace with some glorious keyboards and piano interspersions. There are too several changes in musical style, not quite crossing quite over into the jazz rock field but almost and then the odd foray into Western ballad territory.

This complex symphonic progressive rock project is the collective workings of talented Brazilian musicians and brothers Luis Fernando and Paulo José Venegas. They are, very much the champions of humanitarian issues and have utilized their poems about such concerns in respect to world problems and particularly the freedom of speech which they have integrated with their true passion for music. This combination of which has then been the inspiration for this album. Fusing together combinations of guitar and keyboard structured rhythmic patterns with computer enhanced orchestral effects they have generated the basic musical foundations for this album. Subsequently then infused within the body of the music are the mostly spoken or even whispered lyrical projections spelling out facets of the storyline subject matter. "Minor" is an album with a powerful message about the seeking of freedom.”

ProgPlanet

"Symphony with a message"

Mar 01, 2018

"Here's a first album for this brotherly duo of Porto Alegre that promotes Art for Life. Decidedly Symphony both in form by the use of orchestral samples, the album tells the tyranny of slave traffic that South America was unfortunately a hub. There's a lot to like here. Poignant themes, long pieces, solid arrangements, a nice complexity in instrumentation. We recognize all an effort to deliver a rich and moving soundtrack. It is recognized by the time the influences of artists, symphonic pomp of an EMERSON, dramatic lyricism of GABRIEL and keyboards cascading BANKS and a lot of guitars to PINK FLOYD. The lyrics are poetic and interesting. The voices are a little less. You get a great deal of theatrical narrative that explains the history but brings little musically. The songs sung are much more powerful and warm. It's not that the narrative is unwelcome but it is too present in my opinion. In addition there are occasionally a few small rips in the language of Shakespeare. By cons no complaints about the music. Each song deals with a different topic and music paints the scene with great accuracy. In detail it opens with an epic 14-minute piece 'Unheard' into 4 parts. Very symphonic, with choirs, guitar flights, special effects. Very good contemporary symphonic prog. 'Sailing The Sea Of Fear' is following in the same mold but in narrative style. 'A Silent Herd Of Sheep' is a very beautiful ballad 'génésienne'. After a brief interlude power found another well designed ballad 'Freedom Is A Disease'. 'I'll Still Scream' is a pretty piece with percussion and keyboards inventive strangely reminded me a bit of the group 'The Box'. It connects with my favorite song 'The Beaten Path's' that European neo-prog style is a highlight of the album. So all in all a very elaborate album, rich sounds, well articulated and well balanced. Definitely a studio album which required many hours. The message is loud and goes well. The music is expressive and decidedly progressive instrumentation. This is their first album and the best is probably to come. Sound We would like a better quality of mixing and engineering but that will come with success. symphonic prog fans will find their account. If you want to try before, the authors have put a series of videos on youtube with the lyrics. Good job guys! We need more of Ars Pro Vita..."

Kakereko Review

"MInor"

Feb 26, 2018

“The first half of the 17th album by a cutting-edge Brazilian symphony group, the symphony that seems to be a combination of RENAISSANCE and GENESIS, is especially spectacular! The first album of 2017 by a cutting-edge Brazilian symphony group. This sound, right out "classical GENESIS"! It was built with an authentic classical symphony part with orchestral instruments that are as elegant as RENAISSANCE, and a part reminiscent of early GENESIS, involving delicate and elegant guitar playing that Steve Hackett seems to play and vocals that look just like Peter Gabriel. The first half will be overwhelmed with a particularly tremendous listening response. In the second half, electronic sounds and sound effects increase, and it's interesting to see the world view of Peter Gabriel's solo. Such a surprising group in Brazil!”

MerlinProg Reviews / PERMAFROST TODAY

"Ars Pro Vita: No Supplements!"

Feb 06, 2018

“It is a duo from Porto Alegre who plays a music a place at the intersection of symphonic prog and world music. Luis Fernando Venegas and Paulo José Venegas are brothers and musicians who like to compose and record music together. The Brazilians are current with 'Minor' - their first album. A disc that revolves around the brothers' view of life and humanity. Venegas brothers say music is an art form and we need art to survive. Their goal is to share their music with listeners in a way that improves your lives. Although Ars Pro Vita is not a dietary supplement, some may obviously benefit from the music, quite healthily!”

Whiplash

"Ars Pro Vita: The Prog Brothers from Porto Alegre"

Feb 06, 2018

“Ars Pro Vita is a duo formed by brothers Luis Fernando and Paulo José Venegas, whose sonority orbits between the symphonic prog and world music. September, 1st 2017 they released the concept album 'Minor', about slavery and the struggle for freedom.”

Progrockworld RU

"Ars Pro Vita - Minor (2017)"

Feb 04, 2018

“Few people know about freedom and its absence. Today the landscape can take place, but it was installed during free people, kidnappers, large wooden ships and the complete absence of the concept of human rights. Along Minor songs tells about life, affection, fear, suffering and his search for a way out of slavery. Minor out of time. Minor cries about the intrinsic value of life. Minor maybe I, maybe you, maybe anyone. Minor wants to tell his story ... so that this does not happen again.”