O Terço - Time Travellers (1992)

Artista: O Terço

Álbum: Time Travellers
Año: 1992
Género: Rock sinfónico / Neo progresivo
Duración: 48:40
Nacionalidad: Brasil

Lista de Temas:
1. Space (Instrumental)
2. The Last Journey
3. Time Travellers
4. Crucis (Instrumental)
5. Lost In Time Affaire
6. The Rhythm Of The Universe
7. Marear (Instrumental)
8. The Guardians
9. Suite

Alineación:
- Sergio Hinds / guitars, vocal
- Franklin Paollilo / drums
- Luiz De Boni / keyboards, backing vocals
- Andrei Ivanovic / bass
Special guest star:
Atila Ardanuy / guitar on track 6

Este es un lindo álbum de neo-progresivo de tan maravillosa banda brasileña. Buen trabajo musical al estilo del neo-progresivo de los 90's. Para mi gusto se tiraron demasiado a un estilo soso y tirando al comercial como lo es el neo-progresivo, sobretodo teniendo en cuenta que cantan en inglés, pero dentro del estilo, es un busn disco. Quizás fueron buscando algún nicho que les sirviera para vivir y sacar unos pesos mientras podían disfrutar aún de la música que hacían, aunque vaya a saber uno si lo lograron (apuesto a que no).

Igualmente, todo amante del neo-progresivo disfrutará de este disco, estoy seguro porque los músicos (y estamos hablando de una banda que es una leyenda dentro del progresivo brasilero por la cantidad de tiempo que viene tocando) son realmente muy buenos.

Yet another fantastic album by an underrated, born in the 70's, band. Nowhere, but in Brazil, O TERÇO received the insufferable recognition and attention most of those times progressive bands from the Western world were getting. The journey to survive throughout the overshadowing inconveniences of the stardom and fame those great bands reached to rapidly, were complicating things for this Paulist band to shine. They made it somehow through the years (composing and performing outstanding music mostly), and managed to stay together for over 30 years now, showing and proving, they are the most representative band of the Brazilian Progressive Rock.
In the beginning, O TERÇO used to play in a very purist way, resembling mostly to some of the elaborated works by nowadays iconic Symphonic Italian bands like LOCANDA DELLE FATE and PREMIATA FORNERIA MARCONI. During that stage, O TERÇO went through so many ups and downs, which altered severely not only the instrumentation but the composition as well, and the musicality the band was looking for to determine the "seal of authenticity" in their arrangements, wasn't going so well. The 80's was a hollow decade for the band, were they only released a dreadful, experimental album. But it wasn't until the early 90's were, after several implosions and replacement musicians; the band finally took control of what they wanted do, in a committed, selfless way. "Time Travellers" represents the third phase of the Brazilian band through Progressive Rock, and it also displays multiple renovations and plenty new techniques implementation.
Having multitalented keyboardist Luiz DE BONI during almost all the nineties line-up, was certainly a plus for the band. He could do everything, from mixing and engineering to songwriting and playing (he could sing as well). The multitasked musician, renewed the sound of the band by implementing some of the founding formulas of the 70's Prog Rock and alternative elements from some of the bands of the moment, projecting the band in a way that could be appealing and catchy for the fans to be outside Brazil (maybe way too catchy). From the get go, we can perceive "Time Travellers" as an album that was for stay. The intro song, "Space", was entirely arranged and composed by DE BONI, evoking dark and revealing passages from almost perfected Tony BANKS-like keyboards in one and a half minutes.
As the album carries on, we can easily realize most of the instrumentation relies on DE BONI's keyboards, making the experience pleasantly spacial and moody. From "The Last Journey" to "Lost in Time Affaire", an air of the early MARILLION era could be surprisingly breathed, resembling what Mark KELLY accomplished in that stage of the English band. "Crucis" will underline this last statement for me.
The irremediable effect the 90's had upon mostly all bands that were born in the 70's (specially the ones that were off the prog rock map like O TERÇO), is reflected from "The Rhythm of the Universe" on to the very end of this album. Unfortunately, there had to be a shortcoming, where "pop rock influence" would fill that description. Although the rest of the album is carried away respectably, it is practically inevitable not to notice the sound effects and the engineering paraphernalia DE BONI added up to some of the recordings. The last track, "Suite", is elegant and very comforting, even former member Flávio VENTURINI participated in the composition. This almost 10 minute song, is simply great, executed at the pure style of the good old GENESIS and some PINK FLOYD essentials. Get this album, despite how deceitful the front cover could look; it's a "no remorse" purchase. And remember, "O TERÇO" means literally "Rosary Beads", so... start to pray.

Albert Knot

After the utter fiasco that was their hard rock take in the 1990 release, it seemed that guitarist Sergio Hinds decided to do what they did best: prog rock. Not that it was a return to their roots (as they would eventually do in the new millennium, to everyone´s delight), but in a more "modern" fashion (like early Dream Theater). So heavier guitars and new synth sounds were added. It was not a retro prog of sorts.The veteran drummer Franklin Paollilo was back in the fold, while bass duties were taken by newcomer Andrei Ivanovic. Most important now the band had a new and excellent keyboards player (Luiz De Boni, who was also a multi instrumentalist, sound engineer and good singer himself).
It was clear that the band was aiming the international market, for now they were singing all the lyrics in english. The band was enjoying a new audience abroad and they decided to take full advantage of that opportunity. The resulting album was probably their best since their comeback in the 80´s. Hinds proves again he is a great and versatile guitarist and the band is in great shape. Ok, nothing to write home about it, but very good anyway. A few weak moments here and there (like the arena rock The Rhythm Of The Universe). Vocals are average at best (Hinds heavy brazilian accent didn´t help matters) and unfortunately rarely the band exploits their great harmony vocals. However, on the instrumental side they still reign: De Boni keyboard timbres may sound a little dated now, but they are good, while Hinds guitar solos are absolutely gorgeous. Small wonder the best tracks here are the non vocal tracks like Crucis and Marear, both fine prog epics that wouldn´t be out of place in their 70´s classic albums. Flavio Venturini´s Suite gets a new recording (with vocals this time), and it is another highlight.
Conclusion: a very strong effort for a band that looked completely burnt out just two years before. Time Travelers kind of restore the fan´s faith in the band and proved they still had something to say musically. I can´t say this is an essential album for anyone but the most dedicated fans. Still, better than just good. My rating is 3.5 stars. Worth checking out if you don´t know O Terço yet.

Tarcisio Moura

One of the first progressive bands from Brazil, O Terço (meaning rosary beads) first formed in 1968, but didn't hit its stride until the mid '70s. Personnel changes would become part of the bands dynamic, with Sergio Hinds assuming the Robert Fripp (or Chis Squire) role of band anchor. The group owed a lot of its early sound to such Italian favorites as Locanda Delle Fate, Quella Veccia Locanda, and Premiata Forneria Marconi. They also manged to mix in other styles, like folk, heavy metal, and funk.
On the first album, O Terço was not yet full on prog, but it is a seminal work in the history Brazilian progressive music. There are obvious influences of the Moody Blues, and Pink Floyd. "O Terço II" would see them moving from Psychedelic to heavier sounds, along the lines of King Crimson, Led Zeppelin, and even Black Sabbath. It was 1975's "Criaturas Da Noite" that became a monumental success. It was a big hit, gave Brazil its first classic prog album, and solidified O Terço's place in music history.
In the '80s, the band began to tour the United States and Europe. This would make them more popular in other parts of the world, than they were at home.
They continued to release albums into the late '90s. Many times trying to experiment with different styles. A possible reformation of the classic "Criaturas Da Noite" lineup was in the works in 2001/2002, but an unexpected death postponed the idea.

H.T. Riekels

Otro de los discos de esta clásica banda brazuca, ya tenemos bastantes publicados y vamos a traer algunos más. Si el estilo es de tu gusto, disfrutalo tranquilo...