Mantram

Vette Krent!

The project developed by this Venezuelan band is quite different from what we are used to hear from Latin American sympho. I must say that their style is absolutely Progressive, though this statement means no labeling at all. The music is done with a strong melodic emphasis, many technical aspects stand out in the compositions, and the musicians do an incredible performance work... Still, you won’t find any aspect out of balance that might make you feel uncomfortable.
The plasticity in the voice of the lead singer allows her to move easily from the softest to the strongest passages. The percussionist is clearly not an amateur, he knows how to develop his rythmics in the subtlest way, which the bassist follows wonderfully. The guitarist expresses strongly, her lines flowing in and out from conventional harmonies, in perfect conversation with the music, as they follow each other.
The changes in music are presented with great subtleness and good taste, captivating the listener; the structure creates tension, which unleashes powerfully, always developing towards a climax.

Some reviews compare this band with King Crimson and Tool. I can understand why they do it; the way in which the themes are structured, some guitar lines, reflect, in fact, some affinity; there may be also other lines which remind us of Skunk Anansie; still, this band is not, in any single moment, a copy from no other. Possibly, if I had to compare them with someone, I would choose White Willow, for this band knows very well how to mix power with mysticism, dynamics and silence to achieve a very strong melody. But it’s worth to say that in White Willow’s production the strength is not held throughout the whole album, while pXPRNC, on the other side, maintain their level through the whole production.

I think that all these comparisons fall short for p. The band has its very own, original style, firm as a rock. The combination of powerful compositions, style of their own, clean and impeccable performance and the great structure of the themes make Algenia a very strong album.

- Roberto Lambooy / IO Magazine Pages, No. 84, p.35

Women always found a place in the Progressive rock world. RENAISSANCE with stunning vocalist Annie HASLAM probably was a major illustration of this. Nowadays, there is Japanese power-trio ARS NOVA, as an exception proving the rule. But even on stage, female musicians rarely called the tune. Until PI XPRNC... This young Venezuelan outfit is led by Karen GONZALEZ, whose voice is quite remarkable. It's even hard to believe that she is not a native English speaker. If you have a closer look at this point, you may realize that she is also a guitarist and a keyboards player ! And a skilful one, moreover... Besides, she is the sole composer of a band where men form the majority. What about their music then ? Imagine post-rock with heavy-metal and Crimsonian riffs, efficient drums parts, dynamic percussions and a wrapping bass sound. Melancholic or introspective at times, the atmospheres may evolve anytime into a release of energy with total control. Released on the Musea label, the debut album "Algenia" (2008) may sometimes remind of KING CRIMSON, TOOL or OXYGENE 8... The latter being another female-led outfit ! But anyway, may there be a woman or not, PI XPRNC is a true talent, a discovery that is bound to overcome indifference... - Bernard gueffier

Women always found a place in the Progressive rock world. RENAISSANCE with stunning vocalist Annie HASLAM probably was a major illustration of this. Nowadays, there is Japanese power-trio ARS NOVA, as an exception proving the rule. But even on stage, female musicians rarely called the tune. Until PI XPRNC... This young Venezuelan outfit is led by Karen GONZALEZ, whose voice is quite remarkable. It's even hard to believe that she is not a native English speaker. If you have a closer look at this point, you may realize that she is also a guitarist and a keyboards player ! And a skilful one, moreover... Besides, she is the sole composer of a band where men form the majority. What about their music then ? Imagine post-rock with heavy-metal and Crimsonian riffs, efficient drums parts, dynamic percussions and a wrapping bass sound. Melancholic or introspective at times, the atmospheres may evolve anytime into a release of energy with total control. Released on the Musea label, the debut album "Algenia" (2008) may sometimes remind of KING CRIMSON, TOOL or OXYGENE 8... The latter being another female-led outfit ! But anyway, may there be a woman or not, PI XPRNC is a true talent, a discovery that is bound to overcome indifference... - Bernard gueffier

Coming from Venezuela, here a singular formation, since it is involved by a vocalist with the admirable capacities, Karen Gonzalez. Not satisfies to occupy the post of singer (in English language, however), it also plays of the guitar, the keyboards, and is being the compositrice of the whole of the material here present, that is to say 13 compositions (from 1 to 20 minutes). The style suggested fits in a post rather energetic rock'n'roll, whose somewhat tortured aspect evokes sometimes King Crimson. But one can also quote The Gathering or Paatos, so much this music is rich in contrasts. A beautiful discovery. - http://www.cosmosmusic.fr/nouveautes.html

Coming from Venezuela, here a singular formation, since it is involved by a vocalist with the admirable capacities, Karen Gonzalez. Not satisfies to occupy the post of singer (in English language, however), it also plays of the guitar, the keyboards, and is being the compositrice of the whole of the material here present, that is to say 13 compositions (from 1 to 20 minutes). The style suggested fits in a post rather energetic rock'n'roll, whose somewhat tortured aspect evokes sometimes King Crimson. But one can also quote The Gathering or Paatos, so much this music is rich in contrasts. A beautiful discovery. - http://www.cosmosmusic.fr/nouveautes.html

Musea cannot be rivaled when it comes to discovering bands from distant places in the world. In this era of globalization and the Internet as an azimuth, nothing had come to take us by surprise for a long time in our little Progressive Rock world, until a band coming from Venezuela took its place smoothly. Moreover, PI XPRNC is led by a young woman, Karen Gonzalez, who, besides the traditional lead vocals, holds her fellow bandmembers in her hands, being the composer and playing also all guitars and synthesis. An unusual case in rock indeed, a female frontwoman surrounded by guys! And it’s not a sweet liqueur we are being offered there; a decidedly prog-metal proposal, PI XPRNC (whose last name can drive more than one magazine scribe crazy!) introduces us to almost-Crimsonian riffs developed over a heavy framework, never disregarding melody, thus conferring on it a great evocative power. Wide spaces are also given to introspective ambiances, taking us skillfully towards the most metallic parts with concise enthusiasm. We could also cite, besides Crimson, more modern influences like Tool or the less known Oxygène 8, led also by a woman! When it comes to Karen’s voice, it’s a real pleasure; firm at the highs and warm at the lows, her English never reveals her latin origins. Post-rock, incorporated by many into a new-progressive rock, PiXPRNC will leave a mark in the current scene; its caotic ambiences and shadows, remarkably held at the edge of a floydian despair, will make more than one progmaniac fantasize, you can be sure...! - Bruno Versmisse

Musea cannot be rivaled when it comes to discovering bands from distant places in the world. In this era of globalization and the Internet as an azimuth, nothing had come to take us by surprise for a long time in our little Progressive Rock world, until a band coming from Venezuela took its place smoothly. Moreover, PI XPRNC is led by a young woman, Karen Gonzalez, who, besides the traditional lead vocals, holds her fellow bandmembers in her hands, being the composer and playing also all guitars and synthesis. An unusual case in rock indeed, a female frontwoman surrounded by guys! And it’s not a sweet liqueur we are being offered there; a decidedly prog-metal proposal, PI XPRNC (whose last name can drive more than one magazine scribe crazy!) introduces us to almost-Crimsonian riffs developed over a heavy framework, never disregarding melody, thus conferring on it a great evocative power. Wide spaces are also given to introspective ambiances, taking us skillfully towards the most metallic parts with concise enthusiasm. We could also cite, besides Crimson, more modern influences like Tool or the less known Oxygène 8, led also by a woman! When it comes to Karen’s voice, it’s a real pleasure; firm at the highs and warm at the lows, her English never reveals her latin origins. Post-rock, incorporated by many into a new-progressive rock, PiXPRNC will leave a mark in the current scene; its caotic ambiences and shadows, remarkably held at the edge of a floydian despair, will make more than one progmaniac fantasize, you can be sure...! - Bruno Versmisse

This group with the unpronouncable name comes us straight of Venezuela and offers to us for the festivals their first and extremely interesting Algenia album. πXPRNC is a formation carried out by its single compositrice Karen Gonzalez. Not satisfies to be at the origin of the whole of the fourteen titles forming this astonishing wafer of the kings, our ordering as a chief also ensures the entirety of the vocal parts, the guitars and the keyboards. The battery and the low guitar are ensured by two comrades of beautiful. Let us inform from the start the musicologist ethnologist: no point of American southern folklore in this Anglo-Saxon music. To rather imagine a kind of post-rock'n'roll coated with a strong metal reinforcement, left happy crossing enter the cinematographic meanders of Mogwai, the atonal destruction of King Crimson and the jouissive rage of Tool. The whole without never separating of a melody approach pleasant good. The voice of Karen, all carefully, would support the bringing together with formations like The Gathering, Paatos or Within Temptation even if the music of πXPRNC is much less symphonic and soûlante that of the band with Sharon Den Adel. Here precede the musical environments and orgasms. Low whirring with wish and a production of quality which can give attention to the details (which smoothness in the play of battery!) complete to equip this first test discographic with a rare and unexpected appreciation for a group unknown hitherto and located by the homing devices of Musea which, for this time did not miss sense of smell. What a good surprise! Music lovers demanding at fort “relent Scandinavian” (which paradox for a group of the South!), do not pass especially to side. No heat nor festivity at this group of Caracas. But on the contrary a kind of melody and aesthetic coldness extremely fascinating. A serious hope and a competitor for Landberk, Liquid Scarlet and other Anekdoten. What a foot! - Christophe Gigon

This group with the unpronouncable name comes us straight of Venezuela and offers to us for the festivals their first and extremely interesting Algenia album. πXPRNC is a formation carried out by its single compositrice Karen Gonzalez. Not satisfies to be at the origin of the whole of the fourteen titles forming this astonishing wafer of the kings, our ordering as a chief also ensures the entirety of the vocal parts, the guitars and the keyboards. The battery and the low guitar are ensured by two comrades of beautiful. Let us inform from the start the musicologist ethnologist: no point of American southern folklore in this Anglo-Saxon music. To rather imagine a kind of post-rock'n'roll coated with a strong metal reinforcement, left happy crossing enter the cinematographic meanders of Mogwai, the atonal destruction of King Crimson and the jouissive rage of Tool. The whole without never separating of a melody approach pleasant good. The voice of Karen, all carefully, would support the bringing together with formations like The Gathering, Paatos or Within Temptation even if the music of πXPRNC is much less symphonic and soûlante that of the band with Sharon Den Adel. Here precede the musical environments and orgasms. Low whirring with wish and a production of quality which can give attention to the details (which smoothness in the play of battery!) complete to equip this first test discographic with a rare and unexpected appreciation for a group unknown hitherto and located by the homing devices of Musea which, for this time did not miss sense of smell. What a good surprise! Music lovers demanding at fort “relent Scandinavian” (which paradox for a group of the South!), do not pass especially to side. No heat nor festivity at this group of Caracas. But on the contrary a kind of melody and aesthetic coldness extremely fascinating. A serious hope and a competitor for Landberk, Liquid Scarlet and other Anekdoten. What a foot! - Christophe Gigon

Coming from Venezuela, here a singular formation, since it is involved by a vocalist with the admirable capacities, Karen Gonzalez. Not satisfies to occupy the post of singer (in English language, however), it also plays of the guitar, the keyboards, and is being the compositrice of the whole of the material here present, that is to say 13 compositions (from 1 to 20 minutes). The style suggested fits in a post rather energetic rock'n'roll, whose somewhat tortured aspect evokes sometimes King Crimson. But one can also quote The Gathering or Paatos, so much this music is rich in contrasts. A beautiful discovery. - Cosmomusic.fr

Coming from Venezuela, here a singular formation, since it is involved by a vocalist with the admirable capacities, Karen Gonzalez. Not satisfies to occupy the post of singer (in English language, however), it also plays of the guitar, the keyboards, and is being the compositrice of the whole of the material here present, that is to say 13 compositions (from 1 to 20 minutes). The style suggested fits in a post rather energetic rock'n'roll, whose somewhat tortured aspect evokes sometimes King Crimson. But one can also quote The Gathering or Paatos, so much this music is rich in contrasts. A beautiful discovery. - Cosmomusic.fr

"..Coming from the Venezuela, this band is indeed special, in particular thanks to the voice of extraordinary singer Karen GONZALEZ. Not only singer, but also keyboard player and guitar player, music of the group remembers KING CRIMSON, post-rock and the elements Metal here TOOL. Melancholic and at times introspective but of sure interest thanks to the intricate percussive elements, this disc is indeed from possession!.." - Instinti Musicali.it

"..Coming from the Venezuela, this band is indeed special, in particular thanks to the voice of extraordinary singer Karen GONZALEZ. Not only singer, but also keyboard player and guitar player, music of the group remembers KING CRIMSON, post-rock and the elements Metal here TOOL. Melancholic and at times introspective but of sure interest thanks to the intricate percussive elements, this disc is indeed from possession!.." - Instinti Musicali.it