Existence Origins

Nature / Existence is the impressive debut album from this Venezuelan collective who are based around a sextet of musicians which is further expanded by four guest vocalists - Carl Webb ('Oceanworks'), Tobias Jansson ('The Law', 'Silent Scythe'), Nick Storr ('The Third Ending') and Pedro Castillo ('Tempano/Aditus') - a smattering of saxophone and, on one composition, a Chamber String Quartet. And in keeping with the bands Latin origins they also incorporate traditional folk music, backed up by the appearance of a cuatro (a traditional Venezuelan folk instrument similar to a ukulele, apparently). Emerging back in 2005 and being welcomed in their prog-starved homeland, Echoes have taken their time in crafting their debut opus and, without the burden of expectation that can hamper releases by established artists, it proves to have been well worth the wait…