Bacamarte - Depois do Fim (1983): Why so good?

Some genres, mainly Progressive Rock and its variations, have some discs that are considered sacred. The disc is elevated to an almost untouchable status and anyone who just thinks in criticizes this kind of demigod is a blasphemer, a sucker.

Well, throw the stones over me, society.

Depois do Fim is one of those demigod discs. Considered as a Brazilian gem released during the lost decade (the 80’s), its importance can be summarized by the site Progarchives (one of the greatest references of the genre), which classifies Depois do Fim as a masterpiece and essential.

However, I really can’t see all this beauty and importance. My first reason is historic. How many artists were influenced by Bacamarte? I never saw anyone. And you can’t say the same thing for groups such as Gentle Giant, Jethro Tull, King Crimson, Rush, etc…

Second reason: The vocal. I love female vocals… Janis Joplin, Amy Winehouse, or even Brazilian singers like Marisa Monte and Baby Consuelo. But Jane Duboc’s voice doesn’t convince me. It’s a beautiful tone, and that’s all. For some obscure cause her voice didn’t combine with the arrangements. It’s too loud or too classic; maybe both.

Don't fucking mess with a demigod!

This is the only work from Bacamarte with this formation. There is another disc released in 1999, called Sete Cidades, but Mario Neto is the unique member from the original team.

With a great focus on the instrumental, rich and complex arrangements, Bacamarte’s members shows all their capacity with mastery. Depois do Fim has a conceptual approach, which narrates the end of the world. The disc goes through the beginning of the apocalypse, where a big serpent is narrated on the track Smog Alado (“In the bright darkness an immense serpent wanders/ The beginning of the end…”), advances to a devastated scenery, as shown on Último Entardecer (“The blood flows on the horizon/ Fear is on the air/ The world is enshrouded in darkness/ That might never end”) and closes talking about the survivors on the track that gives title to the album (“Now we can comprehend why the ones who are alive will cry/ Lamenting their sad fate reserved by destiny”).

In general it is a good disc. The theme and the lyrics are well explored, interesting instrumental and great quality. However, it is not as good as everybody claims. I’m still searching for all that geniality and masterpiece that the proggers talk about. While I don’t find it, I remain with the question: Why so good?

“O sangue brota do horizonte; a vida estanca na rua. As almas se trancam nos corpos; que loucos se atiram à lua.”

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FACTSHEET:

Artist: Bacamarte

Year: 1983

Album: Depois do Fim

Genre: Symphonic Prog

Country: Brazil

Members: Delto Simas (bass), Jane Duboc (vocals), Marco Verissimo (drums), Marcus Moura (flute and accordion), Mario Neto (guitar), Mr. Paul (percussion), Sergio Villarim (keyboards).

TRACKS:

1 - UFO

2 - Smog Alado

3 - Miragem

4 - Pássaro de Luz

5 - Caño

6 - Último Entardecer

7 - Controvérsia

8 - Depois do Fim

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