KAKARECO REVIEW

by KAKAREKO | MAY 30, 2023

 

The 22-year 4th album that sublimates the respect for GENESIS and PINK FLOYD, a cutting-edge Brazilian symphony group, into an authentic classical symphony!

 

The 4th album released in 2022 by a cutting-edge Brazilian group that made its debut in 2017 and released a series of large-scale symphonic rock works in 2020. The fantastic melody, the vocals that are conscious of Peter Gabriel who sings it, and the fantastic Mellotron melodies remind us of early GENESIS, and the composition of the song, which is rich in storytelling that effectively uses SE and monologues, is an amazing work that reminds us of PINK FLOYD.

 

A synthesizer that plays an active part in a colorful play, a piano that has an extraordinary background in classical music, and a melodious guitar that is full of poetry, the ensemble that moves gracefully and dynamically is outstanding. It is also attractive that soft expressions are exquisitely woven into a large-scale and heavy symphony, such as female vocals with beautiful voices that bring a refreshing feeling and mellowness, and classical acoustic numbers spun by acoustic guitars and flutes that resonate mellowly. It is also worth noting that former RENAISSANCE bassist Jon Camp is one of the guests.

 

Based on the respect for the famous group of yesteryear, it is quite a masterpiece that makes us listen to symphonic rock with a high degree of perfection, demonstrating the essence of authentic classical music. Digipack specification.

PROG CRITIQUE

by GABRIEL | JAN 20, 2023

 

Ars Pro Vita formé par le duo brésilien Paulo Jose Venegas et Luis Fernando Venegas nous propose son quatrième album ‘TRUTH’ (juillet 2022). Passée l’introduction narrative du titre d’ouverture « 1st Intervention – “Truth,” said a traveler », la deuxième piste « Monkey Business » nous plonge directement dans l’univers musical du groupe, un rock progressif dans la lignée de Genesis première mouture, celle de Peter Gabriel. Un prog suffisamment dynamique avec une instrumentation dense et les interventions d’une guitare incisive, une basse puissante, celle de Jon Camp (Renaissance), des claviers atmosphériques et les voix singulières des frères Venegas. Changement d’ambiance avec « Personal Liar » une piste vive et rebondissante qui sert de toile de fond à de superbes échanges vocaux entre le chant sensuel de Manu Saggioro et des chœurs refluant sur la ligne mélodique.

 

Après l’excellence des deux compositions précédentes les titres s’enchaînent avec : « Bribe » qui confirme le bon niveau musical du groupe et ses influences Gabriellienne, l’ambiance devient plus bucolique dans « Birdwatching » avec la présence d’une flûte et le chant mélancolique d’Anna Paz, l’intimiste « Лайка (Laika) » chanté par Daísa Munhoz atteint de nouveaux sommets, une musicalité de premier ordre et une mélodie aux refrains contagieux. L’intimiste et acoustique « Jane D. » s’associe parfaitement aux rythmes de la musique brésilienne, tandis que l’instrumental « Walk In Those Shoes » met en vedette une guitare acoustique pastorale dans un style proche de Steve Hackett (Horizons – Genesis).

 

Une incartade folklorique « Cruce De Caminos », chantée en espagnol par Fabiana Cantilo, effleure chaleureusement le flamenco et en général la musique hispanique au son du bandonéon. Piano et violon sur « Forget The Flowers » jolie bluette interprétée par un chant sensuel celui de Fern McNulty, retour du prog rock avec le trio final : « Wowicake » dans l’esprit prog des années 70, « Equal » titre narratif (un peu longuet) sur couche de claviers atmosphériques et le superbe « Hiraeth » subtil et doux comme le chant de Lila Trentini. TRUTH est une excellente collection de prog mélodique et lumineux, ars pro vita mélange des éléments de rock progressif de folk et d’orchestration classique de manière intéressante, l’écoute de l’album s’avère stimulante pour ceux qui aiment une musique qui n’a pas les deux pieds dans le même sabot.

PROG CENSOR

by CICERO | Sep 23, 2022

Symphonic Progressive Rock - 71:52 - Brazil '22

It's a bit of an opera, with narratives, which contribute to the concept of the album, but sometimes break the musical rhythm. Once this remark is made, which is worth more or less for 3 of the Ars Pro Vita records I've heard, I can only brag to you, again, the quality of the production of the Venegas brothers, well surrounded by a plethora of singers and a bassist for 2 tracks. You can find on our page the chronicles of the previous 2 albums, concepts and remarkable, too.

 

They always offer us a Genesian atmosphere, but not that, and the singing, in English, most often, is close to Gabriel of the 80s. Specifically on Monkey Business, but no shenanigans here because the theme of the album is truth. His devotions are revealed through all 12 tracks of music on this album. As it is a universal value, some pieces have a more local color, such as the Hispanic "Cruce De Caminos" sung in Spanish, "flamenco" hands clapping as additional percussion, in a heavy atmosphere, which is a superb e sizzling crescendo with bandoneon and flamenco guitar solo. Or the more despicable sitar background recital "The Elephant and the Blind Men" It's also a characteristic of APV: they cheerfully exploit (the Venegas are from Porto Alegre) the universality of the chosen themes; they were peace and the future, here is the truth. And every time it's intelligently done! Also to note, the very successful "Personal Liar" and the semi-final trio: "Wowicake", a magnificent piece between Genesis and Camel, "Equal", majestic waves, Hackett's "Shadows Of The Hierophant" style, and "Hiraeth", Gaelic intro ballad and angelic vocals.

 

I conclude on the last words of the album, "truth is": so, my brothers and sisters of Prog Church, truthfully, I declare to you this Sunday: "Listen to Truth"! The tear that runs ARS PRO VITA, the Brazilian prog rock duo, consists of Luis Fernando (LF) Venegas (Vocals, Lyrics & Guitars) and Paulo José (PJ) Venegas (Vocals, Orchestration, Flute & Keyboards).

SAITEN KULT

by Mario Wolski | Sep 12, 2022

Truth is The face in the mirror, The tooth that comes in, The wrinkle that surges,

The tear that runs ARS PRO VITA, the Brazilian prog rock duo, consists of Luis Fernando (LF) Venegas (Vocals, Lyrics & Guitars) and Paulo José (PJ) Venegas (Vocals, Orchestration, Flute & Keyboards).

My first encounter with this band was their second album 'Peace'. That dealt with the wars of the last almost 150 years and was already heavy on the stomach. I didn't even notice that another album called 'Cords' was released less than a year later. But now 'Truth'. I'm sure you know that, the Sunday roast was so delicious. You eat too much again. Afterwards he lies across, causes heartburn. It is similar with the truth. One could rave about the small and the large here. Do you always tell the truth at home? ("This CD? I got it as a gift.") How hard is it to always be fair and honest in your work life? (“I like doing that”) How well can I distinguish facts from fake news?

 

In some parts of the world, the media are misused by those in power to secure their power. In this country, others are screaming that they are no longer allowed to say what they think. How do I know which messages floating around on social media are real? ARS PRO VITA does not do more than ask questions. But as you ask. Truth is life, Life is for real, A film based on true facts, And a fiction film, That may come true But this is also about music. The Venegas brothers delivered again. I even think it's stronger than on 'Peace'. The present album is only half as long, but contains a lot of musical ideas. The shorter playing time makes for the slightly greater density.

 

ARS PRO VITA get to the point faster, the compositions seem denser. Of course they don't reinvent the wheel. You can see many influences. VAN DER GRAAF GENERATOR come through just as well as SPOCK'S BEARD. The darkness comes from the former, while the bass playing likes to bring Dave Meros-esque sounds. You play with Bach's counterpoint and throw in jazzy rhythms. And 'Cruce De Caminos', sung in spanish, enchants with the melancholy of the Argentinian tango. And despite the English lyrics, 'Forget The Flowers' sounds like impressionistic songs and French chanson. On the other hand there are songs like 'Wowicake' which revive the English Prog in the way of early GENESIS.

 

Truth is here On Earth, And out there In the Milky Way, In the Local Group, In the Virgo Supercluster, In the Laniakea Hypercluster, In the Universe, And in the Multiverse. 'Truth' lives above all from strong singers. In the aforementioned 'Wowicake', for example, Paulo José sounds like a revenant of Peter Gabriel. But all the guest singers also contribute their bit. All in their own way. That gives each of the 12 songs their very own character.

 

The three spoken texts also live from extremely lively voices. Still, 'Truth' doesn't sound like patchwork. The songs are held together by a strong concept and compositional skill. In contrast to other prog bands, who like to appear cool and constructed, the Venegas manage to convince with warmth and feeling. To use an image of food again, 'Truth' is like dark chocolate, bitter and sweet and melts gently on the tongue. 'Truth' is definitely not fodder for in-between listening. It's still too complex for that. But once you get the hang of it, it's pretty addictive. This album calls for repeated enjoyment. And it calls for thinking. What can i believe and how do I remain credible?

 

Truth is.