Hominido - Alados

Since I was blown away by this band from Chile thanks to their 2014 debut album Estripe Litica, Hominido are back again with a follow up their debut with the release of their second album entitled, Alados which is self-released this year. The word Alados translated, means Wings. It is a concept album about Birds from Chile and how their personalities of the birds are related to the characteristics of the human race. It’s a diverse album from their debut and it shows at times, a classical side to Hominido.

There’s also a different line-up. Javier Briceno takes over Eliana’s role as vocals, Francisco Martin isn’t there on his bass as Natan Ide is taking the bass over with his Touch Guitar a-la Trey Gunn and Tony Levin style! But also Rodrigo’s drumming, gives it the driving beat and the heart, soul-like force of the sound of Hominido. With bits of keyboards flowing in, but in the album the band uses; Trumpets, Violins, Duduks, and French Horns.

Listening to Alados, you can close your eyes and imagine yourself being the landscapes of Chile and visiting the exotic birds and how they relate of what the humans go through. With Melodic, World Music, Metal, and a Progressive side to them, the lyrics are sung in Spanish and it sets the background and tempo through the atmosphere with 11 tracks throughout the entire album.

I can hear the styles between Steven Wilson, Syndone, King Crimson, and Gentle Giant and I can imagine the influences flow well into Hominido’s music. Now Javier’s vocals reaches higher peaks throughout his arrangements and while there are dramatic approaches with thundering moments, the birds fly to meet their flock to teach their little ones to fly.

Fanfare anthems, Spaghetti Westerns, and Salsa Grooves thrown into the blender from the horn sections, I always imagine Ennio Morricone conducting the band and letting them do whatever they want by using carte blanche and have creative control by letting the band do whatever they would like. This is my second listen of hearing Alados. As I’ve mentioned before, it is a diverse album, and while the new sound may find listeners interesting to see where the band will lead into next, it is a very good album.