September 07, 2019

Cotó En Pèl ‎– Holocaust (1978, LP, Spain)



Songs
A1. Aura De Sons (13:30)
A2. Lamentacions (4:40)
B1. Holocaust (Part 1) (10:35)
B2. Holocaust (Part 2) (8:08)

Musicians
Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar – Carles Pico
Arranged By, Producer – Cotó-En-Pèl
Bass, Cornet, Vocals – Paco Cintero
Drums, Percussion – Vicent Cortina
Organ, Synthesizer, Mellotron, Vocals – Pep Llopis


A short-lived band with a noticeable King Crimson influence, COTÓ EN PÈL were comprised of a quartet of skilled Spanish musicians who produced the lone album "Holocaust". The band's music is characterized by long, languid instrumental works with understated Catalan vocals and mild crescendos. The music is characterized by heavy use of keyboards, particularly mellotron, and lazy guitar arpeggios spread across lengthy tracks.

The band disappeared quietly at the end of the 1970s. Little has been written of the band, although drummer Vicent Cortina did go on to contribute to a number of Mediterranean-inflected bands including the jazz/fusion project SON MEDITERRANEO and most recently as a member of the folk group AL TALL. Keyboard and lead vocalist Pep Llopis has composed or produced a number of award-winning Spanish contemporary dance works and remains active in the Spanish music scene.

COTÓ EN PÈL deserves a place in progressive music history for their epic-length if modest compositions, and for their symphonic and moody styling. (progarchives)