Omphalos English

Album release: June 17, 2006

In this album, Kotebel continues to experiment with the integration of a wide variety of styles, giving rise to an eclectic proposal that spans academic, jazz, world and progressive music.

"Kotebel is rightfully considered one of the best contemporary Spanish progressive acts. Their main characteristic seems to me to be the constant search for new solutions when it comes to symphonic rock, though many times based on already well settled leanings, mainly from the 70’s anglo-saxon school but with small hints on the Italian school as well. Yet they incorporate many other influences on their music, and an extremely personal process of conjugating those influences in an own signature and peculiar identity.

"Omphalos is the fourth act of this band, and it opens with a long operatic track that is simply amazing. The vocal work of Carolina Prieto is exceptional, and well seconded by the flute, piano and guitar appearances, along with an orchestral use of the keyboards. This track is undoubtefully a total winner, and transports this band to higher levels than ever before."...."If I had already been impressed by their 2003 release Fragments of Light, this new Omphalos just comes to better my high consideration for this Spanish band, and state them as one of the great contemporary prog rock bands when it comes to the most pure symphonic approach. A great band to listen to again or to finally discover."

"“Omphalos” is the Greek word for navel. This outstanding release, should put Kotebel right there. In the centre, of bands, who write and perform, complex, beautiful and outstanding progressive rock"..... "Once again, Kotebel have made a progressive(monster) masterpiece."

"Fascinating, that’s the word I have been searching during the last few times I listened to this music. It says on the back of the CD digipack, “File under Art Music” and that’s what this is, a fine piece of art. This must be a revelation for every genuine progressive rock fan. Kotebel is a Spanish progressive rock band, which was initially a project founded by Carlos Plaza. This is their fourth album and their best so far.Kotebel knows the art of mixing a lot of styles, producing a special style, which I can only call Kotebel music. It’s filled with progressive rock, complex structures, classical music and jazz influences"...."For me, it was a real discovery and it is still revealing its secrets while I’m playing it again."

"I dont even know how to start this review of the new KOTEBEL?! These guys are brilliant, as proven on their former 3 albums! So, how do you top brilliant/ excellent/ even superb? Well i dont know, i guess ill have to come up with some new words for the English dictionary!"..."Top rating: 6 planets, sheer excellence!!"

"This is an Event! My great enthusiasm about the work of Kotebel isn't ephemeral. In my honest opinion, this is the best Spanish band of all time, their success with Symphonic Progressive being unattainable for most of their contemporaries from all over the world working in that field. Besides, I'd like to paraphrase my own expression from the review of "The Fragments of Light": The music on "Omphalos" is so profound and impressive that any Titans of Prog would've been happy if they'd created something like this, after their heyday had become a thing of the past."