THE BEAST

Aisles - Beyond Drama - Reviewed By rockportaal !! Check it out here at this link: https://www.rockportaal.nl/aisles-beyond-drama/

At the release of the live album Live From Estudio Del Sur by the Chilean Aisles, there was already speculation about a new album, but it took about four years before Beyond Drama was released in early April. In principle that is not a problem given the circumstances at the time and waiting for a new album is based on a good portion of patience. But then it is also nice that the foursome put nine new compositions on a disc. The previous studio album Hawaii received a lot of positive attention and was nominated a lot as best prog album. That could also happen with Beyond Drama.

Singer Sebastián Vergara has left the band and his place has been taken by Israel Gil. You could already encounter him when Smile Of Tears was re-recorded, but certainly in the three singles Fast, Megalomania and Thanks To Kafka that were already released in 2021 and the recently released Time (A Conversation With My Therapist). The last single is a good moment to mention Israel's singing qualities. In a subdued lounge-like setting, his voice takes center stage. But the Chilean prog spirit cannot be contained with beautiful sensitive musical notes. Due to the emo charge, the prog character moves its way to surface regularly to add a spicy accent to this composition bursting with passion.

Next to this sensitive gem, Aislesfirmly on Disobedience. The start is nice and heavy and in the sequel Israel shows that he has a wide range in his voice. From his basic sound he regularly tends to the theatrical voice that would also suit Incura or Hail The Sun. Singing and music create a wonderful symbiosis. The drumming is striking. It is impressive in terms of the rhythms that are used. It should be clear that Felipe Candia is a fan of fast rhythms that just don't touch the march rhythm. In Fast that seems obvious and gives the progressive vibe an extra kick. A vibe that is contagious and accessible. Little fuss, just nice prog. In Thanks To Kafka, however, the drum is more subdued and definitely more irregular. The atmosphere is captivating and there is a good atmosphere in everything. The run-up to the chorus is gradual and invariably ends in an attractive piece of music. And then after three minutes there is such a wonderful interlude that makes you realize how lucky you are to review this album.

As a prog lover, you will also be served at your beck and call with the eleven-minute long The Plague. The intro is long and with eleven minutes on the counter you often already know that you will regularly be surprised by the versatility in one composition. That is certainly the case in The Plague. The character and rhythm of the actual quiet basic melody change after more than four minutes to return to the basics via a funky piece. Once again drummer Felipe puts things on edge and especially keyboard player Juan Pablo Gaete challenges to sublime playing. Until Israel takes over with an elongated vocal melody that leads to a more up-tempo piece and even gets a real metal character.

Surrender is then a moment to recover with quiet piano music. From there, the composition is built up in an extremely precarious and balanced way into a sensitive piece of music that can be called stunningly beautiful. Couplets of a melancholy nature are alternated at the right moments with swelling pieces of music. Needsun succeeds Surrender, but the idea of ​​this composition is completely unclear to me. Is it some kind of fade-out piece, an echo of Surrender or the prelude to the closing Game Over. A composition in which rhythm is an important factor and the prog character is indelibly present. Entirely instrumental there is enough room for the individual musicians of this Chilean group and funky-like parts of bass alternate with beautiful guitar playing by Germán Vergara and Rodrio Sepúlveda or the keyboard part by Juan.

Bassist Daniel Alejandro Concha has already made himself heard in Megalomania. A striking composition because the intro reminds me so much of ZZ Top. An influence you don't expect so quickly. Felipe still had plenty of ghost notes left that resonated in the background with Israel's vocals. Megalomania is a bit older, but fits perfectly in the Beyond Drama picture. An album that I've been waiting for and that shows everything Aisles stands for. There doesn't have to be many prog bands coming from South America. I am already very satisfied with Aisles. rockportaal

Release Date: April 5, 2023

Location: Chile 

About AISLES

Originally from Santiago, Chile and with four acclaimed studio albums under their belt, AISLES have become the most important South American progressive rock band of the last two decades. Known for their intricate melodies and expansive sound, the group has toured widely across the Americas and Europe. In their homeland of Chile they've opened for iconic international bands such as Marillion and Focus in addition to playing extensively around the country as headliners.

In 2005, AISLES released their debut album The Yearning in Chile and the U.S., recognized for its elegant and delicate melodic work on songs such as "The Wharf that Holds His Vessel" and "Gray." In 2009, their second album In Sudden Walks, inspired by existentialist literature and theater, was nominated for Best Foreign Album at the Prog Awards in Italy. The group also participated in the 11th version of the Progressif Crescendo Rock Festival in France. Their third record 4:45 AM which investigated human loneliness, received rave reviews and was ranked among the best albums of 2013 by numerous progressive rock media. 

Their most recent album, released in July 2016, is Hawaii, a conceptual work that narrates the life of humanity in space after the destruction of Earth. The double LP was chosen among the best albums of the year by several publications including Prog (England), NeoProg (France), Headbangers Latinos (Mexico), Aural Moon (USA) and Rockaxis (Chile). The success of the album allowed them to tour Europe, the U.S. and Mexico.

In 2018, as a way of concluding the Hawaii era, AISLES released the Live from Estudio del Sur EP along with four videos recorded live, which can be viewed on YouTube. After the departure of their original vocalist Sebastián Vergara at the end of 2018, the band returned in September 2020 with a new singer, Israel Gil, and reignited their artistic evolution by releasing a new version of their 2009 song “Smile of Tears”, from In Sudden Walks. Following the release of singles such as "Fast," "Megalomania" and "Thanks To Kafka" in 2021, AISLES will release their fifth album Beyond Drama in 2023. 

Follow them on Spotify and add to your playlists!

Also available on Bandcamp!

Discography
Beyond Drama (2023)
Live from Estudio del Sur EP (2018)
Hawaii (2016)
Live 2014 EP (2015)
4:45 AM (2013)
In Sudden Walks (2009)
The Yearning (2005)

Follow the band at these links:

https://www.aislesproject.com/
https://www.instagram.com/aislesproject/
https://www.facebook.com/Aislesproject/
https://www.youtube.com/aislesproject
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1aHj1tpKsDAUDDOMZXcjQg
https://aisles.bandcamp.com/