ATILA
Symphonic Prog • Spain
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Founded in Girona, Spain in 1973 - Disbanded in 1978 - Reformed in 1999
The Spanish band ATILA was formed in '73 by Eduardo Biebla (guitar), Joan Punyet (drums) and Paco Ortega (keyboards), soon several personnel changes followed. This legendary and highly acclaimed progrock band made three LP's: "The Beginning Of The End" ('75), "Intencion" ('76) and "Reviure" ('77). At the end of '78 the band dissolves but in '99 they reformed with Joan Punyet (drums), Benet Nogue (keyboards), Ignasi Bosch (guitar), Pere Martinez (bass) and Joan Cardoner (guitar). In the same year this ATILA line-up did a reunion-concert, playing their best material. The sound of ATILA has elements from VANILLA FUDGE, CREAM, The NICE and ELP but in general ... it's ATILA!
The remastered second album "Intencion" (considered as their best) and a concert from '99 are put on 1-CD (entitled "Atila: Intencion + Reviure"), this is a treat for the lovers of 'vintage-keyboards' (Hammond, Moog, Mellotron) with some mindblowing moments (swirling organ and fat Moog runs) but the guitarwork is also worth listening, a bit harder-edged but very inventive, at some moments with a Spanish flavour. The songs from the live-concert ('99) are more original and belong to the best Spanish progrock ever made: intense, compelling and exciting climates and shifting moods (a bit like the Italian IL BALLETTO DI BRONZO but less complex) with lots of great solos. "Reviure" is a masterpiece for the fan of Continental European progressive music. BEAUTIFUL MUSIC!!!
Fan & official Prog Archives collaborator
See also: WiKi
ATILA Videos (YouTube and more)
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ATILA discography
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ATILA top albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)
3.74 | 78 ratings
Intencion 1976 |
4.16 | 112 ratings
Reviure 1978 |
ATILA Live Albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)
2.05 | 18 ratings
Beginning of the End 1975 |
ATILA Videos (DVD, Blu-ray, VHS etc)
ATILA Boxset & Compilations (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)
3.19 | 7 ratings
Intencion + Reviure 1999 |
4.17 | 11 ratings
Intencion / Reviure � Revivir � 2009 |
ATILA Official Singles, EPs, Fan Club & Promo (CD, EP/LP, MC, Digital Media Download)
ATILA Reviews
Showing last 10 reviews only
Atila Symphonic Prog
Review by
Progfan97402
Prog Reviewer
Atila Symphonic Prog
Review by sgtpepper
Atila Symphonic Prog
Review by
BrufordFreak
Collaborator Honorary Collaborator
1. "Reviure" (9:56) starts off like a MAGMA song but then quickly moves into an ominously-chorded formative weave in which the musicians feel like they're figuring each other out, trying to find the common structure and space from which to launch into song. It's very Mahavishnu/RTF-like. At 2:15 they finally congeal--bursting forth into a fiery controlled chaos in which stops and starts are peppered with blistering soli from guitarist Eduardo Niebla as well as Benet Nogue's Moog. Drummer Juan Punyet is forceful and constant as is loud bassist Jean Gomez. A break at 4::50 leads into a keyboard riff that is repeated over and over as all the other instrumentalists join in with their own two-measure staccato melody lines, creating an complex and energetic weave which somehow turns smooth as Mellotron and organ join in. Another break and organ-supported "quiet" section at 6:40 leads to Benet Noque's first vocals. He sounds like Aldo Tagliapietra or one of the other RPI vocalist who like to used the distant reverb sound effect on their voice. In the ninth minute the band returns to full rock power, cruising along at a fast but safe speed until the second half of the tenth minute when everybody starts speeding up and speeding up, resulting in a "crash" into a spaceless void in which spacey sounds make you think the careening vehicle flew off into the cloudy heavens (which is, in fact, the start of the second song). (18.25/20) 2. "Somni" (9:34) the suspended animation-voyage through the cloudy heavens continues with lots of weird psychedelic phenomena to observe and feel. It's really like being in a dream--or better, a drug trip--in which you are the astonished observer of so many unbelievable and totally random and disconnected things floating (or sometimes speeding) by you. The overwhelming feeling, though, is definitely childish delight and fearless amazement. In the seventh minute the music heavies when a distant vocal announces some change like a circus ringmaster. Very NEKTAR-like. The dirty bluesy guitar lead that ensues is over the ramped up music is also quite ROYE ALBRIGHTON-like, but then the rhythm section slows way down--holding on to the same melody and chords but slowing them down with their effects makingit seem as if the whole world--the observer's perspective--had suddenly moved into slow motion. And there it ends. Cool song with, as mentioned, elements that fell Nektar-ish, but also a pleasant and melodic feel (due a lot to the soothing constant of the gentle acoustic guitar strumming)--not quite Gong-like; more BRAINTICKET. Not as instrumentally flashy or complex as the previous song but quite engaging. (18.5/20) 3. "Atila" (11:56) opens with some coughing noises--as if from a drunk smoker--before keyboard arpeggio riff and bass line open things up. Within 30-seconds the band has congealed in a two-chord driving flow that sounds very much like the music coming from our current Cornwall-based Scottish favorites, THE EMERALD DAWN. In the fourth minute they slow down for a serene patch (probably to water the hourses) before drummer, bass, and keyboards begin to announce the time to recommence the procession. With the army on the road again, there are many constants in the march with plenty of small, light conversations going on within the phalanx. Another bridge in the sixth minute leads us into some landscape in which there are more challenging mountain paths, giving the soldiers not only a tougher journey but also some spectacular views of the land below them. This section culminates in rollicking downhill jaunt with an "I'm Just a Singer in a Rock 'n' Roll Band" sound, speed, and structure to it. Nice lead guitar and synth dual soloing in the eight minute just before an impressive drum solo to fill a minute or so (which, by the way, I'm very pleased at how clear/cleanly it was recorded). At the 10:30 mark the rest of the band rejoins, picking up the rapid pace of before but employing a different chord structure. Then shows up the monstrous ogre who, apparently, devours the phalanx of soldiers, leaving behind a windswept plain empty of not only humans but life as a while. I guess that's what Atila did! (22.5/25) 4. "Al Mati" (7:14) apparently, a very melodic rock song is needed to complete the story: a vehicle for a narrator to expound upon the lessons and morals of the story we've just been privy to. I have to admit that I do like this kind of RPI-like narrated story scape. Then, for the second half of the song, there is an instrumental divertimento in which the band members get to show off their chops a bit. (13.75/15)
Total Time: 38:40
The involvement of the keyboard player's contributions is amazing: he is involved everywhere and many times with multiple sounds/tracks going on at once. The lead guitarist is highly skilled but I do not always like his choice of "antiquated" sounds. The bass player and rhythm guitarist are both very good while the drummer has a lot of nice moves and energy he just doesn't always feel in sync with the rest of the band.
A/five stars; a minor masterpiece of energetic progressive rock. It is especially impressive how involved each and every one of the dextrous band members is at every turn, shift and straightaway.
Atila Symphonic Prog
Review by
GruvanDahlman
Prog Reviewer
As is the case with dictatorships, there are bound to be limitations. Now, without knowing too much about Spain under the boot of Franco, I could, however, surmise that cultural expression had it's limits and boundaries. In the mould of dicatorship there cannot be too much of artistig (or otherwise) expression. If so, I suppose, the dictator will feel he's losing control. Anyway, I won't ramble on the subject too long. My point is, really, that the death of Franco seemes to unleash an endless stream of talented, supressed musicians bursting at the seams with musical visions. Atila was one of those bands.
The opener, Reviure, starts off soothi g enough but soon burst out and the band delivers one majestic performance of symphonic styled prog, based on keyboards (as is much of this album). Somni is one of the best tracks among utterly brilliant ones. Amazing keyboards an texture. Atila is really hard and rocks hard prior to the winds of Al mati. Soothing and atmospheric but multilayered it ends a brief but so well constructed album.
If you're into keyboards, and vintage at that, this is very much an album for you. It holds everything you could wish for and played with great skill. The band is so tight and plays so well, I continue to be amazed and in awe. Though largely instrumental it holds just enough vocals to add to the mix, presenting some relief (by no means meant in a bad way) to the intensity of the instrumental parts.
In sum, this is a wonderful piece of art. Four tracks of immense beauty and beastly character. I seem to pick up new things every time and just when I think I've heard it all it explodes in front of my eyes (or ears) and delivers further depth. I am always cautious of giving five stars but I am bound to do so here. There is no other rating to consider. Utter brilliance and truly an album to discover.
Atila Symphonic Prog
Review by
stefro
Prog Reviewer
STEFAN TURNER, STOKE NEWINGTON, 2012
Atila Symphonic Prog
Review by
Marty McFly
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator
Atila Symphonic Prog
Review by
Marty McFly
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator
Atila Symphonic Prog
Review by
Gerinski
Prog Reviewer
The original vinyl of this album is said to be the most sought for in the collectors market of spanish prog, reportedly having reached prices over 1000 euro (I believe only 1000 copies were released)..
Most 70's catalan prog bands were from Barcelona and unintentionally they formed the movement called 'rock laieta' (Laiteania was the roman name for the region around current Barcelona), and they frequently interacted with each other using as a platform the concert venue Zeleste and its associated recording label Edigsa..
Atila on the other hand were from the city of Girona, and while it's only 100 kms away from Barcelona this was enough to put them in another basket. They did not consider themselves as belonging to rock laieta but rather they just did their own stuff, and indeed their music is quite different from the other catalan bands, no fusion and no local folk, and more space / psych mixed with a fuzz hard rock guitar influenced by Hendrix, Cream and Tony Iommi, much more rocking than most other catalan bands. Indeed they only played once at Zeleste in 1976 (for 2 consecutive sold-out evenings). In any case they evolved quickly from proto-prog style to nearly symphonic in just 3 albums..
In 1975 they released this debut album which was recorded live in studio and can be considered more as a demo than anything else. It consists of a single track of 30 min which blends a few JS Bach chops with long instrumental jams with keys, guitar and drums, including a drum solo. As most 70's spanish prog it sounds much older than it is, this is more like proto-prog in the style of Iron Butterfly or Rare Earth, with touches of keyboard oriented prog such as The Nice and Egg but less masterful. One section reminds of Deep Purple's Child In Time..
Not bad but far from very good. The CD edition was apparently ripped from a vinyl and not from the original master tapes and the sound quality is rather poor, and the fact that they did not have a bassist does not help, although in some sections I could swear that I hear a bass besides the keys, guitar and drums, not sure how they did it..
A condensed to 15 min but much better version of this track is included in the follower "Intencion" with the title translated into spanish El Principio Del Fin, it keeps the most musical sections and drops the more unnecessary improvisation jams, so you should not spend your money with this album unless you are a completionist, huge Atila fan or fond of rarities..
As a curious note, in the album sleeve the track is divided in 18 imaginary parts and credited to imaginary authors. Apparently this was forced by the producer because in this way he grabbed part of the authors rights. Atila is worth discovering, especially their great 3rd album Reviure, but this debut is dispensable.
Atila Symphonic Prog
Review by
Gerinski
Prog Reviewer
Their debut track The Beginning Of The End had become quite popular in their live acts but that album had been very poorly recorded and distributed, so they decided to re-record it in this their second album (the last track, here with the title translated to spanish El Principio Del Fin), which is a good and a bad thing. Good because it gives us a much more polished version, compressed from the original 30 min to 15, concentrating on the more musical sections and dropping much of the improvisation jams and reducing the drum solo to some 2.5 min. Bad because it's still proto-prog style and somehow lowers the overall quality of this album.
The three new tracks are much more evolved towards what would become the real Atila sound, a mix of symphonic RPI style, space-psych and hard rock. This is a trasition album where the last track, the reworked version of the debut El Principio Del Fin keeps the hard- rock proto sound and the new tracks show a more spacy sound and hints at symphonic. The next album Reviure would consolidate the sound eliminating the proto side and enhancing the symphonic one.
The first track Intencion starts in symphonic style with some female choirs, a bit like RPI, but then Eduardo Niebla's guitar provides that Deep Purple / Black Sabbath feel, then followed by a vocal section which may remind of Pink Floyd's Meddle period, although the guitar is not up to Gilmour's level. There are some synth effects sounding like space laser wars in a japanese B-sci-fi movie which sound completely outdated today but ok, we have to bear in mind the time of the recording.
Second track Cucutila starts with an epic sounding organ and quickly gets upbeat, it's instrumental except for some female choirs which seem taken from a musical such as the Rocky Horror Picture Show, good but a bit lacking coherence.
Dia Perfecto is the best track, a mix of space-rock and symphonic, featuring also some female choirs, probably the track which best anticipates their great 3rd album Reviure.
At this period Atila performed in the 1976 Canet Rock festival and they stole the show, they played in a small side stage but the audience got hooked on them, they were named the best act in the festival.
There are, as far as I know, 3 different CD editions of this album, 2 of them as a pack together with the 3rd album Reviure in which this album Intencion is the same, but not Reviure (see my review of Reviure for more details) and a Wah Wah release including a bonus track "Un Camel De Xocolata" which is a reworked version of the vocal parts of the track Intencion, recorded during the band reunion in 1999.
Atila Symphonic Prog
Review by
Gerinski
Prog Reviewer
First track Reviure (Live Again) is a great song, starting atmospherically and building up tempo. The bass and drums are much better than in the previous albums, finally taking some attitude. There are a few vocals with lyrics revindicating the catalan culture.
2nd track Somni (A Dream) is more spacy, with a constant bass line over which keyboards and guitar improvise, good but the weakest of the album.
3rd track Atila starts with some disgusting coughing but once started it's a great track displaying very good keyboard and guitar soloing on a strong rhythm background.
Al Mati (In The Morning) is the best track, the most symphonic, with a few vocals sections but for the most part relying on the great instrumental work of the guys.
Definitely the best Atila album, if you feel like discovering this band this is the place to start, if you like them then check out their 2nd album Intencion.
There are (at least, as far as I know) 2 CD editions of this album, as a pack together with the previous album Intencion. The release by the tiny and now extinct label Pan Y Musica featured a live version of the full Reviure album from a live concert in 1999, sice EMI would not release the rights of the studio recording, it's good and it can decently substitute the studio version. The Mandala release contains the studio version of the Reviure album which I personally find the best.