ARGUL - Soledad & Orgullo

Opening "Soledad & Orgullo", 'Ritual' immediately embraces classic doom with a striking dual-guitar passage and vocals that drift through the composition like a distant, almost angelic choir. There is a fascinating contrast at work: the song feels light as a feather yet strangely suffocating at the same time. Guiding drums and deeply distorted guitars add layers of weight and depth, before a reverb-soaked guitar solo provides another highlight towards the end. A captivating introduction to the album.

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'Engendro' takes a noticeably heavier and darker turn, at times carrying echoes of classic BLACK SABBATH. Cymbal-driven drums and a swirling bass line guide the composition forward at a deliberate pace before the momentum gradually increases. A welcome surprise comes through the dual vocals, delivered in Spanish, which add both variety and a more personal character to the song. The energetic guitar solo, backed by a thick and infectious bass line, brings everything together with an irresistible '70s heavy metal spirit. If that isn't old-school, what is? 

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'Hor Hodin' welcomes the listener with an ominous spoken-word sample before giving way to an epic yet pressing soundscape. The instruments work beautifully together, almost as if they were telling the story themselves, while occasional increases in pace never disturb the song's oppressive and slightly melancholic character. With the vocals sitting further in the background, the instrumentation is given plenty of room to shine. Particularly striking is the bridge, carrying an almost tangible sense of longing that makes it one of the most compelling moments across the tracks.

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At nearly ten minutes, 'Animal Dog' is perhaps the slowest and most oppressive piece on the album. From the opening notes, the song carries an immense weight, as if every step forward means dragging the problems of the world along with you. Heavily distorted riffs border on controlled chaos, at times resembling a mind slowly collapsing under the pressure. Around four minutes in, the choir-like vocals return, adding an almost hypnotic quality, while ambient textures and mysterious sounds continue to build layer upon layer. It is the kind of song that makes you want to close your eyes and simply experience everything it has to offer.

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Clocking in at around 14 minutes, closer 'Kamog' takes its time to unfold, combining progressive '70s rock with a tender and almost fragile sense of beauty. Another spoken sample introduces the track, seemingly capturing a man descending into madness or possession, while distorted speech and faint whispers give the opening an unsettling, almost demonic character. Beneath it all, a slow and steady bass line gradually emerges, grounding the composition before the remaining instruments begin to take shape. The dual guitars do an excellent job of guiding the song through its many different passages without ever overshadowing the bass or drums, allowing each element enough room to breathe. Once again, the angelic yet sorrowful choir vocals add another emotional layer and have become a particularly fitting part of ARGUL's identity across Soledad & Orgullo.

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Despite its considerable length, the song feels more like a journey than an endurance test, constantly shifting between darkness, melancholy, and moments of delicate beauty. Around the twelve-minute mark, the entire composition begins to resemble one final bow to the listener, a last goodbye filled with appreciation before the music slowly disappears into darkness.

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With "Soledad & Orgullo", ARGUL delivers an impressive debut full-length that feels remarkably confident and distinctive. Crushing doom, progressive '70s influences, haunting choir vocals, and moments of fragile beauty come together in an album rich with atmosphere and emotional depth. Despite its lengthy compositions, the record rarely loses its grip, making Soledad & Orgullo a compelling first chapter for a band that already seems to know exactly what it wants to be.

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SCORE 9/10

REVIEWED BY SWAMPY