Agusa – Panacea (Live) | Progressive Rock Central.com

Agusa is a new band find, for me. But I love new bands that are full of music that inspires. Agusa will release their magnum opus, “Panacea – Live,” on the 22^nd of May of this year.

Their press release states, “Since their formation in 2013, Swedish progressive rock band Agusa has carved out a distinct name for themselves in the world of retro prog, Scandinavian folk rock and Krautrock. Their evocative sound and immersive compositions made such an impact that Karisma Records is now proud to present a new live album from the band. Agusa has shown themselves as a formidable live band, which is why this is already the band’s 4th live album. They also have six studio albums complete in their catalog. “Panacea,” documents a powerful show, which was recorded at the “Progressive Circus Festival,” in Malmö, Sweden on the 28th of September, in 2024. The album consists of only three songs, but they are all live favorites of true Agusa fans.

Agusa is made up of the following members: Jenny Puertas, on flute, vocals, and percussion; Mikael Ödesjö, on guitar; Nicolás Difonis, on drums; Roman Andrén, on organ; and Simon Ström, on bass.

This album is a masterclass in how to record a live album. It reminds me of fellow Swede’s Siena Root’s album from last year, “Made in Kuba.” Both band’s picked fan favorite songs and brought them to life on stage.

The album opens with the crowd clapping and then, “Lust och Fägring.” The slow guitar and organ bring back memories of songs from the 1970s. The song is about, in English, “Desire and Beauty” or “Joy and Beauty.” The full phrase often used in the Swedish hymn “Den blomstertid nu kommer”—and as the title of the 1995 film “All Things Fair.” “It is also a salute to “Sommarvisan,” specifically the famous “Idas sommarvisa” (“I make the flowers bloom”) by Astrid Lindgren and Georg Riedel, and it translates to a celebration of Swedish summer through a child’s imagination.” It is over 14 minutes of the best music for spring and summer I have heard this year, so far. The Doors – like keyboards and organs that play at the beginning, take me right back to Ray Manzarek. Then, Jenny Puertas joins in on flute, and I am taken back to the sounds of Traffic, with flutist Chris Wood. This, and all the songs on the album are instrumentals, which allow you to concentrate on every note without words. This song is a wonderful voyage for spring, just as the springtime of the year breaks out throughout the Earth’s Northern Hemisphere. Every moment of this song is a joy to appreciate. It is impossible to choose between the wonderful organ playing, the flute or guitar playing. It all sounds great!

“Den Förtrollade Skogen,” or “The Enchanted Forest,” is another journey of passion and adventure. This is the longest track on the album, at over 20 minutes, and it is filled with progressive sounds you will remember from Traffic, and other famous bands from the 1970s. This song also has a little influence from some of Santana’s longer, more classic instrumental songs. This music is all original, but its melodies and organ sound with electric guitar, will take you right back to those deep long songs you remember from youth. There are also some memories similar to the Door’s cover of the song, “Albinoni Adagio,” at the beginning of this song, which are so graciously appreciated. This is progressive music the way that it should be made, with a bountiful mixture of sounds, melodies, different instruments, and textures. The passion and immediacy of the performance will keep both of your eyes open, despite a wish to close them and dream of concerts from the past. This music is full of life and bounces, like some of Sanatana’s best instrumentals. Jenny Puertas’ flute bouncing over the waves of music surrounding, helps set this music apart from Santana’s work. The drum, bass and guitar solos are great reminders of the music of the past; and how special time was given and appreciated for virtuosity, back in the 60s and 70s. The organ playing and the flute are always there to support the massive soundscape.

“Ur Askan,” or “Out of the Ashes,” is the closing song for this magnificent collection of music. It is the shortest song on the album, but it is none the less important. It opens with classic organ keys and flute, mixed well with electric lead guitar, bass, and drums. Then, an almost Caribbean melody sprouts up out of the soundscape, with dancing flute and playful keyboards. A perfect way to close out this amazing live album. A warm, danceable melody for this over 10-minute closing song. Then, the electric guitar rips through the soundscape. But it is quickly calmed by the intervening flute and keyboards. Jenny sings in Spanish towards the slower, dramatic ending of the song.

Track List:

Lust och Fägring (Sommarvisan) (14:34)
Den Förtrollade Skogen (20:43)
Ur Askan (10:39)

Agusa’s “Panacea (Live),” is full of music which inspires! At the same time that it has the sound of the music I listened to while I was growing up. It is full of thoughtful reminders of the progressive rock music of today. While the band sets the table well with sounds of seminal bands like the Doors, Santana, and Yes, they also mix in the modern sounds of neighbor bands like Norway’s Wobbler. Agusa’s fast driving sound brings back memories of Wobbler’s “Dwellers of the Deep.” They set a great example for their peers that you can play both modern, contemporary prog, while leaving in the traces of the past that so many fans love. The quality of the mix and mastering of the album is so perfect, that you might not realize that this is a live album, until the end of the song when the audience claps. Everything about Agusa’s “Panacea (Live),” is worth hearing. If Agusa is new to you, like me, please give this album a chance and I think you, like me, will be searching through their back-catalog for more gems a plenty!