Carbono 14 – 2005   MyloCD034

Exsimio – 1999    MyloCD001

Desarrollando las primeras composiciones como un proyecto de bajo y batería, en 1995 nació Exsimio, banda formada por el bajista Carlos Pérez. Al año siguiente se incorporaron Claudio Corcione y Juan Ignacio “Iñaki” Varela en guitarras, quienes venían desarrollando un trabajo conjunto en el grupo Vilú.

En marzo de 1998 se incorporó el baterista Fernando Jaramillo (ex Alter Ego), marcando el afiatamiento del sonido de Exsimio y dando pie para grabar (junio de 1998), un EP de 4 canciones, realizado en vivo y edición limitada.

En enero de 1999 la banda comenzó a grabar su primer LP de 11 temas y título homónimo, que vio la luz en octubre del mismo año. Financiada la masterización y edición gracias a un proyecto Fondart y posterior fabricación por Mylodon Records (MyloCD001) , la banda aprovechó de proyectar su propuesta en el mercado nacional e internacional, gestión que dio resultados y en noviembre de 1999 fue invitada a Los Angeles, California, para actuar en la inauguración de una prestigiosa galería de arte.

Al regreso, Exsimio presentó su disco y el video promocional “Cigoto” (diciembre de 1999). En octubre de 2000 la banda fue invitada, como uno de los dos representantes chilenos, a participar en la 5ª versión del festival de música progresiva más importante del planeta: Baja Prog Fest. (marzo de 2001). Gracias a la buena crítica, Exsimio actuó luego en el Auditorio Municipal de la ciudad de Chihuahua y en un tercer concierto organizado por la Universidad Autónoma de Baja California.De vuelta en Chile, fue invitado por Radio Futuro a grabar en vivo en los estudios de la emisora y a un concierto de celebración de los 12 años de la estación.Actualmente la banda está invitada, en representación de Chile, al segundo festival internacional de Rock Progresivo Rota Prog (España, noviembre de 2002), donde realizó además una extensa gira por Italia, Alemania, Francia, Holanda y Bélgica.

Posteriormente, en 2005, la banda editó su segundo álbum “Carbono 14” (MyloCD034), grabado el estudio Tarkus de Santiago, con el cual obtuvieron un tremenda respuesta por parte de la prensa especializada.

“Chilean ensemble Exsimio is one of the most energetic and charismatic South American bands around: their KC-meets-Primus influenced ballsy vibe and solid interplaying skills definitely make them deserve a high position in the prog map. Their pallet includes obvious traces of jazz-rock, metallic rock and funky, but I guess that the aforesaid bands are enough to provide an approximate idea in the neophyte’s mind. Their eponymous debut album is an amazing catalogue of neurotic rock explosions and explosive textures, mostly based on the dual guitar and bass counterpoints, but also containing brilliant dynamics shared by the riffs and rhythm section and the disturbing guitar solos that emerge to the fore now and then.

The parallel development of sonic storms by all three stringed instruments are powerful enough to offer a challenge for the proficient drummer Fernando Jaramillo: his tight foundations and inventive rolling making him a nuclear item at keeping a focus for the band’s overall sound. At the same time, you can tell that most of the time there is a cleverly managed constraint in this exhibition of power, since the guitarists never get to indulge themselves into endless pyrotechnics. The show-off is more usual in Pérez’s complex bass lines and harmonies (‘Ensueño’ being a perfect example), which conform the element of relatedness to Primus in Exsimio’s music.

It seems as if the arrangements were disposed to allow the bass be featured to a degree between the two guitars, and definitely, the human material involved in the line-up makes it work quite right. Some numbers are subtly ethereal, but most of the time the ambience tends to be somber and furious: the full repertoire’s inner contrast is generally leaning more toward the harder side of prog. The few tracks with lyrics are more recited than sung, which makes them more evidently testimonial than literally lyrical – by the way, let me add that the messages are charged with left-handed political views.

The setlist is so compact and consistent that it is really difficult to make a one-by-one review or pick faves; anyway, let me confess that ‘Baretta’, ‘Ensueño’ (recited lyrics taken from Commander Carlos’ manifesto), ‘6 Segundos de Silencio’ and the stunning closer ‘Angelmandinga’ are the most appealing numbers to me. With a band whose impetuous energy is perfectly matched by its talent you can’t go wrong: the Crimson influence is very spread in the bolder side of Chilean prog, and this quartet happens to be one of its most accomplished incarnations. “Exsimio” is a must for any decent experimental prog collection and Exsimio is a band to pay close attention to.

Exsimio are an instrumental band from Chile. Comprised of a drummer, bass player and two guitarists. No keyboards. You would think with two guitarists that they would be the focus, but no, it’s the bass and drums that dominate.The bass player especially stands out from the other musicians, he’s the star and leader of this band. Love the album cover of a guy dusting off a buried guitar, like it’s been there for centuries along with the skull and bones beside it. Haha.

Check out the crisp and amazing drumming after a minute on “Ser En El Ensueno”, as the guitar continues to grind it out. Some great atmosphere late. On “C-14” they step it up a notch, and the drum / guitar interplay is incredible. Killer bass 3 minutes in, and the guitar starts to light it up a minute later. “Amenaza” has this powerful soundscape with some ripping guitar 1 1/2 minutes in. In “El juicio II” the bass playing again steals the show. There is also some Spanish speaking going on (no idea what he’s saying), but the fat bass and awesome drumming are loud and clear after 2 1/2 minutes, as the guitar grinds away. Nice. “Sentencia” is a short, dark song with more chunky bass as a heavy sound comes in.

“Eugenisia” has a cool sound to it, it gets heavier a minute in and the guitar comes in grinding away before 2 minutes. “Haploide” has Spanish words, again spoken by the bass player (I still have no idea what he is saying). Amazing song though. “El Trauko” features some incredible drumming. Guitar comes in around 4 minutes to end it. “Esquizofrenia” has this interesting guitar melody early. Some nice bass after 1 1/2 minutes as drums pound away. It becomes more passionate a minute later. A barrage of drums comes in late. “Fragmentos” is fairly laid back(for them) until 3 minutes in when guitar and bass let loose. Killer bass ! “2012” has spoken vocals and a lighter than usual sound. This is highly recommended.