Album review: ARGOVIA – Primal Repetition

April 14th, 2026 by GRTR! HQ

ARGOVIA - Primal Repetition

Presagio Records [Release date 10.04.26]

One of the enlightening features of our “New to GRTR!” radio show is the range of music from all four corners of the planet. Colombia doesn’t feature that regularly but when it does. Wow!

Argovia formed in 2013 and the latest album was partly recorded in the Netherlands at a studio that has worked with Anneke van Giersbergen (The Gathering) and Floor Jansen (Nightwish). There must be something in the ether because Argovia have echoes of both, especially in the lead vocal of Ani Guillen.

In fact the vocals are a real highlight of the album whilst there is some great musical accompaniment from mainman Carlos Arminio (keyboards), Mauricio Sanabria (drums), and Nicolás Paredes (bass). Imagine Riverside and Porcupine Tree with a female vocalist and a bit more immediacy.

This is highly accessible prog, always maintaining a commercial and contemporary veneer. ‘Crossroads’ for example is utterly compulsive, ‘Mountains’ full of imposing melody whilst another highlight ‘Ebb & Flow’ features Ross Jennings (Haken) on co-vocals.

‘Age Of Wonder’ is almost pop in its deft execution, ‘Spark’ with an infectious groove dovetailing into another uplifting chorus whilst ‘Unstoppable’ might be the word you are looking for after hearing this track and the album in general. English speakers can even forgive the band singing in native tongue, but only one track, a duet with Boca de Serpiente.

The band released their debut EP Lost Letters in 2014 following that with their first full-length album Distant Present in 2017. Their latest EP, in 2024, is called Who We Are and marked a change in stylistic direction: less symphonic and more straight ahead.

Lovers of highly tuneful prog rock will want to check out this album. And without delay. *****

Review by David Randall

David Randall presents ‘New to GRTR!’ on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays 21:00 (GMT+1), a showcase for new releases and independent artists and labels.

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

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David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast 5 April 2026.

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Power Plays w/c 13 April 2026

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SAGE Deep End (The Artery Foundation)
OH HIROSHIMA Broken Sunlight (Pelagic Records)
HARSH Back To Life (Fireflash Records)
KING KRAKEN Call To War (indie)
HIGHWAY QUEEN Bring Me Home Tonight (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 13 April 2026

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)

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