Album Review: Parahelio - Surge Evelia, Surge (2020)

Today we're taking a trip to La Rinconada, the highest situated town on our planet. The town in the Peruvian region of Puno is not too far away from the Bolivian border and got famous for its gold mine in the past. During the gold rush the population of La Rinconada rose up to 40.000. Many people hoped to become rich quickly and make a living in this town. But as things are in our free and capitalist work only few really could live up to their dreams.
Instead, many people died in collapsed shafts and even more got ill from the lack of security against toxic substances such as quicksilver.
Today, La Rinconada has less than 7.000 inhabitants and it has become a ghost town. The place is a symbol for a dream that has not been fulfilled. Poverty, disease and desparation are the images visible in La Rinconada which once should become a town of gold.

Photo credit: Nécio records / Parahelio EPK
Cover Artwork by Emilio Marmolejo

Parahelio, a band from Lima, has written and produced an album that was inspired by the story of the town La Rinconada. It is their first long-player and was released digitally in May 2019. From May 8, 2020 on a vinyl version will be available via Nécio Records.
On their three-track Parahelio manage to musick the atmosphere of La Rinconada with perfection. Soft but grinding Instrumental Post-Rock creates impressive soundscapes of emptiness and desparation. Sweet melodies go hand in hand with gloomy harmonies and the slow to mid-tempo tracks hover like a drone over empty lands.

And yet there is movement. Parahelio shows us through the mostly abandoned town on th3 46 minutes of their album. Between wind, empty streets and frustration there are plenty of small flickering light hiding in every corner. The final track 'Ha'Adam' shows us a vibrant and moving image of La Rinconada by putting on tempo and intensity. It feels like attempts of hope and people trying to cope with the situation and making a living afterall. Still, this track is as melancholic as the other ones.

"Surge Evela, Surge" is a fantastic concept or theme album. Parahelio make their audience feel the atmosphere of the ghost town in the mountains with ease. If you also loved Martia Pelepsi and Dhármico you will clearly like this one.


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