BLUE MAMMOTH - Blue Mammoth (2011)

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BLUE MAMMOTH is a new superb prog band from Brazil and their self-titled debut encapsulates the best elements of early pioneers combined with the new tendencies of the genre.

Listed as a Neo Prog band, Blue Mammoth is much more in the AOR vein of the neo-prog spectrum than most of the new acts in the style.
The band rocks it out with a vintage '70s hard prog sound too, and adds to the mix some sympho sounds as well, all cooked with a modern production.
There's a great mix of melody, over the top keyboard structures, complex arrangements and crunchy guitars throughout this debut. Much of the CD is broken down into lengthy multi-part suites, called "Blue Mammoth", "Rain of Changes" and "Quixotes's Dream", plus a few other single tracks.

"Blue Mammoth" opens with regal majesty as "Overture - The Awakening Of A Giant" grabs hold of you with its bombastic synthesizer fanfare and dynamic gong and cymbal crashes, guitar / keyboard duels and vocal harmonies creating a massive wall of sound, all propelled by a hard and energetic driving rhythm section.
Then, when we thought things couldn't get any better, Part IV "Coda - Back Again" gains the momentum of a steaming locomotive in the vein of German progsters Eloy.
"Metamorphosis", with its heavy riffs and raging Hammond, is a safe bet for Uriah Heep fans, while the 17-minute "Rain of Changes" contains all the elements modern prog lovers need to have.
"The Same Old Sad Tale" almost reminds of vintage Asia, with its more commercial edge and excellent singer Michell sounding a bit like John Wetton and guitarist Lupac adding in some tasty guitar work not unlike the legendary Steve Howe.
The album closes in great form with the soaring, lush prog of "Resurrection Day" and the Deep Purple influenced heavy rock of "Infinite Strangers".


"Blue Mammoth" is indeed a mammoth album, embracing the best of the classic prog and proggy AOR of all times, blended with traditional classy Hard Rock.
Blue Mammoth takes inspiration from the giants YES, Genesis, ELP, Jethro Tull, IQ, Marillion, Styx, Kansas just to name a few, delivering an exquisite cocktail of sounds. Mainly vintage, but with today's rich and crystal high standard production.
Founder member Julian Quilodran attacks his bass with the ferocity of a youthful Chris Squire, employing his instrument more as a lead than bass guitar. The vocals are superb, there's plenty of supreme guitar and keyboard work, all complemented by flutes, mellotron, taurus pedals and much more sounds.
"Blue Mammoth" features brilliant compositions and masterful musicianship, a more than recommended debut from a band that surely has a bright future ahead of themselves.
Highly Recommended





Julian Quilodran - bass, acoustic guitar, percussion, backing vocals, cello, flute
Andre Micheli - piano, organ, synths, lead and backing vocals
Thiago Meyer - drums, electronic and acoustic percussion, backing vocals
Andre Lupac - electric and acoustic guitars, flute, backing vocals




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