I doubt that Papangu's sensacional 2021 debut "Holoceno" has given us any reason to complain. And even if it did, that complaint definitely was not the lack of a a unique original identity.
Their mix of Extreme Metal with Stoner Rock, Post Rock and Zeuhl in one of the most legit and true to Magma forms ever heard on a Metal album certainly was a sparkling beacon of creativity.
Yet on the new album, which is only the first part of a musical biography dedicated to the life and myth of bandit leader Virgulino Ferreira da Silva, the Brazilians push the Metal quota into the background while still carving their signature sound even deeper into the obscure paths offsidely the zeitgeist.
PAPANGU - Lampião Rei (LP) (2024)
"Lampião Rei" feels a lot more influenced by Christian Vander's lifework than its predecessor, but the reason for that is not that the music sounds much closer to "Mekanïk Destruktïw Kommandöh". Because it actually doesn't. Yes, the band consists of six members now, which leads to a generally bigger sound, and elements like Rhodes piano, Wurlitzer, vibraphone help to stir the album into a more 1970's direction. But that's not it. It's rather the bigger emphasis on fastly delivered vocals, the way in which certain phrases are repeated and a similarity in the overall feeling of storytelling, which point even more towards Magma.
(Ok, it should also be mentioned that among several other guest musicians actual Magma bass player Philippe Bussonnet adds solos to two tracks!)
The means to achieve this however are much more South/Latin American than before: Samba, Tango, Latin Vocal Jazz. Stan Getz, Dom Um Romão, Carlos Santana. Yet when the extreme Metal bits appear - sometimes only in the singing -, the particular aggressive staccato vocal delivery oddly enough reminds me of Solefald's Avantgarde Black Metal shenanigans on their 1999 album "Neonism".
And yet I'm not even close to the abundance of styles and sounds which come together on "Lampião Rei". All in all this ambitious and innovative, boldly Brazilian album presents a timeless Progressive Rock masterclass, which doesn't fall into the trap of limiting itself to what fans of certain established Prog artists expect of the term. No, Papangu are truly exploring every path they deem necessary to tell their story with a natural ease that never feels forced and immediately draws you into their world - even if you don't speak any Portuguese at all.
This is an album with the potential to unite an extremely diverse array of listeners. There's not much other stuff out there which for example could work as a gateway from Metal to Astrud Gilberto and Weather Report. But I'm not delusional - even with the help of several AOTY rankings, on which we will find "Lampião Rei" soon, it will take a lot of word-of-mouth to gather this crowd.
Well, I've done my part. Now you just have to check out this masterpiece and love it at least half as much as I do!
I didn't expect to get this on vinyl, shipping costs and all, but to my surprise I found a copy at a Black Metal retailer, who delivered it in one of the most ridiculous packages I've ever received a record in. I actually thought someone had sent me a t-shirt at first: a box within a box, lots and lots of newsprint, an extra cover from another album... yet the Papangu cover still has a big kiked corner. Well, at least you tried... I guess?
And it's not a damage which affects my appreciation for the artwork, which is just as specially specifically South-American as the music. Still absolutely worth it.
(Ok, it should also be mentioned that among several other guest musicians actual Magma bass player Philippe Bussonnet adds solos to two tracks!)
The means to achieve this however are much more South/Latin American than before: Samba, Tango, Latin Vocal Jazz. Stan Getz, Dom Um Romão, Carlos Santana. Yet when the extreme Metal bits appear - sometimes only in the singing -, the particular aggressive staccato vocal delivery oddly enough reminds me of Solefald's Avantgarde Black Metal shenanigans on their 1999 album "Neonism".
And yet I'm not even close to the abundance of styles and sounds which come together on "Lampião Rei". All in all this ambitious and innovative, boldly Brazilian album presents a timeless Progressive Rock masterclass, which doesn't fall into the trap of limiting itself to what fans of certain established Prog artists expect of the term. No, Papangu are truly exploring every path they deem necessary to tell their story with a natural ease that never feels forced and immediately draws you into their world - even if you don't speak any Portuguese at all.
This is an album with the potential to unite an extremely diverse array of listeners. There's not much other stuff out there which for example could work as a gateway from Metal to Astrud Gilberto and Weather Report. But I'm not delusional - even with the help of several AOTY rankings, on which we will find "Lampião Rei" soon, it will take a lot of word-of-mouth to gather this crowd.
Well, I've done my part. Now you just have to check out this masterpiece and love it at least half as much as I do!
I didn't expect to get this on vinyl, shipping costs and all, but to my surprise I found a copy at a Black Metal retailer, who delivered it in one of the most ridiculous packages I've ever received a record in. I actually thought someone had sent me a t-shirt at first: a box within a box, lots and lots of newsprint, an extra cover from another album... yet the Papangu cover still has a big kiked corner. Well, at least you tried... I guess?
And it's not a damage which affects my appreciation for the artwork, which is just as specially specifically South-American as the music. Still absolutely worth it.
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