Record Reviews
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  | AFTER… ~ HIDEOUT
OSKAR 1038 (Barcode: 5907811103829) ~ POLAND ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 2007 Released: 2008
This is the second album by Polish Prog band After…Find albums by this artist, one of the second-wave Neo-Progressive bands to emerge on the local scene, which also includes the most popular Polish Prog band at the moment: RiversideFind albums by this artist. After… differs from most other bands in that category as it is almost free of the dreadful metal elements that dominate most other bands, often making their music unlistenable. Although they play hard and strong at times, their music is first and foremost melodic in nature, making them more similar to older Polish Prog bands, like QuidamFind albums by this artist. The first lineup of the group was fronted by a female vocalist, similar to what happened with Quidam.
The lineup that recorded this album features lead vocalist Krzysztof DrogowskiFind albums by this artist, guitarists Wojciech TyminskiFind albums by this artist and Czarek BregierFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Tomasz WisniewskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Mariusz ZiolkowskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Radek WieckowskiFind albums by this artist. The album includes ten original songs, all credited as group compositions, with all lyrics by the vocalist except for one song where they were written by Tyminski. The lyrics are in English, which of course is most unfortunate, as they present a challenge as far as the quality of the text is concerned and even more so in its actual execution (i.e. pronunciation, accent, etc.) by the vocalist, which always becomes the weakest link on any Polish album sung in English. Obviously the hope of an international success clouds the minds of these young people to venture onto this treacherous path. In today´s condition the choice of Polish lyrics might have proven to be as wise if not wiser and certainly much more effective as far as the overall result is concerned.
But English lyrics aside, the album is a pretty solid piece of Neo-Prog, with some superb melodies, especially the ballads, and excellent instrumental performances by the band members and the vocalist. There are some great guitar solos, very good work by the keyboards, which provides the background, upon which the entire musical structure is built, and rock solid work by the rhythm section, which never misses a bit and has a great fat sound. There is both deep lyricism and strong somewhat heavier expressionism, but the band eschews any signs of Prog Metal, which is a relief.
Although not terribly innovative or groundbreaking, this is a solid Prog album, which most Neo-Prog fans around the world should be able to enjoy. It is certainly better than most releases in that genre, which seems to be going nowhere artistically in the last decade. At least there is some great music herein. Definitely worth investigating!
| | Updated: 21/09/2021Posted: | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | LIZARD ~ W GALERII CZASU (21ST ANNIVERSARY EDITION)
AUDIO CAVE 2018/003 (Barcode: 5905669566469) ~ POLAND ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1996 Released: 2018
This is a reissue of the debut album by the Polish Progressive Rock group LizardFind albums by this artist, newly remastered for this edition. At the time of the recording the lineup of the group included vocalist Damian BydlinskiFind albums by this artist, guitarist Miroslaw WorekFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Andrzej JanczaFind albums by this artist, bassist Janusz TanistraFind albums by this artist and drummer Mariusz SzulakowskiFind albums by this artist. The album presents six original compositions, three of which are multi-part mini suites. The music is composed by Bydlinski or co-composed / composed by him and / or other band members and all lyrics (in Polish) are by Bydlinski. This album was already reissued before with added bonus tracks.
Since Prog by definition includes a layer of improvisation it is therefore closely related musically to the Jazz / Fusion idioms. However, in contrast to Polish Jazz, which is a flourishing genre and often considered as perhaps the most creative on the international scale in the last two decades, Polish Prog never achieved the same success. The "original" wave of Prog (1960 / 1970s) almost completely missed Poland except for the Fusion oriented SBBFind albums by this artist and Pop / Rock oriented SkaldowieFind albums by this artist making fairly significant statements. The Neo-Prog (starting in 1990s) didn´t do much better overall, and with the exception of QuidamFind albums by this artist (debut album released in 1996), Lizard (debut album released in 1997) and RiversideFind albums by this artist (debut album released in 2004), not much else happened. All the above mentioned bands produced a series of albums, which over time showed a deterioration in their quality, and in time either disbanded or left the Prog idiom completely. Over time there were quite a few other bands out there, none of which made a truly significant statement, on the world scale.
To be perfectly honest, the Neo-Prog genre was a bad idea to start with anyway. It was a priori derivative, almost completely unoriginal and often criminally boring. The idea of bringing back to life a musical genre that burnt itself out during its original period of activity is by definition absurd. Having said all that, the early albums by the three abovementioned groups (Quidam, Lizard, Riverside), including this one, have their merits.
Musically "W Galerii Czasu" is an archetypal Neo-Prog album, with lengthy multi-part tracks, which offer several melody lines within one track and theatrical vocals. In this case the melodies are solid and interesting enough to make the album quite listenable. The instrumental work is fine, but not exceptional, well balanced and overall coherent. The vocals are somewhat monotonous and the vocal range is limited, but at least the vocalist sticks to singing in Polish, so the listener is not subjected to the bad English accent torture.
The album aged well and lost nothing of its initial fine form, but again Neo-Prog did not move an inch since its conception, so this is not surprising. Overall it is still a very good listening experience, especially for the Prog Heads that are still around. For the sake of nostalgia and the great remastered sound, I can wholeheartedly recommend it!
| | Updated: 21/09/2021Posted: 04/07/2018 | CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | QUIDAM ~ ALONE TOGETHER
ROCK SERWIS 068 (Barcode: 5907729906826) ~ POLAND ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 2007 Released: 2007
7th album by Polish Prog group QuidamFind albums by this artist and 3rd by the second version of the group with their new lead singer Bartek KossowiczFind albums by this artist. It is certain that this is truly the first “proper” album of this version of the band, as they have been searching for a direction for quite a while and although the two previous albums have been more that adequate, this one overshadows them completely. They did finally find their balance, coming back to the beautiful melodies and superb instrumental passages that made the group famous to start with. Bartek is an excellent vocalist and the new material suits his voice perfectly, as he’s much better with the lyrical side of music than the rockier one. The music and performances are brilliant and it’s so good to see them again at their peak, taking back the position at the very top of contemporary Prog, which sadly suffers from stagnation. I’d still prefer if the lyrics were in Polish, but I suppose a band of their caliber just has to go internationally with lyrics in English. At least the lyrics make sense as opposed to the usual blabbering one finds so often on Prog releases. Definitely a major piece of work and a full swing return to good old times – truly great album. A must to every Prog fan!
| | | CD 1 Slipcase Recommend To A Friend |
  | QUIDAM ~ ANGELS` DREAMS
MUSEA 4256 ~ POLAND ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1998
2nd album by the superb Polish Prog band QuidamFind albums by this artist. The angelic voice of Emila DerkowskaFind albums by this artist in the lead and some great instrumental performances by all the players in the band create together one of the freshest and most uplifting performances in recent years. On this album the vocals are in English. A parallel album with Polish vocals was also released.
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | QUIDAM ~ BAJA PROG - LIVE IN MEXICO `99
MUSEA 4321 ~ POLAND ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1999
3rd album. Polish band QuidamFind albums by this artist are the best Prog group in their country since several years. They play Neo-Prog at its best: vibrant, complex, improvised and deeply melodic. Fronted by the amazing female vocalist Emila DerkowskaFind albums by this artist, who sings both in Polish and English. This great performance was recorded during the Mexican Prog festival Baja Prog in 1999 and the vocals are in Polish, which is for the best.
| | Updated: 21/09/2021Posted: | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | QUIDAM ~ BAJA PROG – LIVE IN MEXICO `99 (LIMITED EDITION)
ROCK SERWIS 103 (Barcode: 5907729910328) ~ POLAND ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1999 Released: 2006
3rd album by Polish Prog band QuidamFind albums by this artist recorded live during the annual Baja Prog festival in Mexicali, Mexico. Quidam are not only the best Prog group in their country since the mid-1990s, but also one of the best bands worldwide. They play modern Prog at its best: vibrant, complex, improvised and deeply melodic. Fronted by the amazing female vocalist Emila DerkowskaFind albums by this artist, who sings both in Polish and English, and including some amazing instrumentalists, they have little competition when it comes to creating memorable and moving melodies and stellar performances. Obviously the opportunity to perform live removes many of the constraints and limitations of the “serious” studio situation and the bands expands their material here to pay tribute to their many influences. Note the legendary guitar solo from the GenesisFind albums by this artist’ “Firth Of Fifth”, quotes from CamelFind albums by this artist’s “Snow Goose” or their incredible version of Deep PurpleFind albums by this artist’s “Child In Time” – each and every one of these performances being truly breathtaking. Derkowska sticks to Polish vocals during the concert, which is for the best. The companion DVD presents most of the material from the audio CD and a few additional songs heard (and seen) here for the first time, as well as a short documentary about the band’s stay in Mexico. This beautiful new edition includes both the CD and DVD in an exquisite mini-sleeve packaging.
| | | CD+DVD 2 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend |
  | QUIDAM ~ QUIDAM
ROCK SYMPHONY 070 (Barcode: 7898217280703) ~ POLAND ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1995 - 1996 Released: 1996
1st album by the Polish Prog group QuidamFind albums by this artist, which took the Prog world by surprise when it hit the Western world. In retrospect this is definitely one of the best Prog albums released in the 1990s and surely one of the strongest Prog debuts ever. Quidam has all the elements of a great group: superb writers, excellent instrumentalists and a divine female vocalist with an angelic voice of the caliber of Annie HaslamFind albums by this artist – Emila DerkowskaFind albums by this artist. The band is deeply rooted in the Prog tradition, especially in the GenesisFind albums by this artist dramatics, but they take the best of the tradition only as a backbone of their music, developing it far beyond the cliches and building exceptionally well developed and masterly executed songs. The delicate balance between acoustic (flute, viola) and electric (keyboards and guitar) instruments is enchanting and extremely effective. The choice to stick to Polish lyrics is a wise one, as the vocalist certainly can express herself better in her native tongue, rather than use English (as they tried later on). This is a masterpiece in every respect and every single second of this album is absolutely perfect. No serious Prog collection can be complete without this album.
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | QUIDAM ~ QUIDAM / RZEKA WSPOMNIEN (LIMITED EDITION)
ROCK SERWIS 101 (Barcode: 5907729910120) ~ POLAND ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1996 Released: 2006
1st album by the Polish Prog group QuidamFind albums by this artist, which took the Prog world by surprise when it hit the Western world. In retrospect this is definitely one of the best Prog albums released in the 1990s and surely one of the strongest Prog debuts ever. Quidam has all the elements of a great group: superb writers, excellent instrumentalists and a divine female vocalist with an angelic voice of the caliber of Annie HaslamFind albums by this artist – Emila DerkowskaFind albums by this artist. The band is deeply rooted in the Prog tradition, especially in the GenesisFind albums by this artist dramatics, but they take the best of the tradition only as a backbone of their music, developing it far beyond the cliches and building exceptionally well developed and masterly executed songs. The delicate balance between acoustic (flute, viola) and electric (keyboards and guitar) instruments is enchanting and extremely effective. The choice to stick to Polish lyrics is a wise one, as the vocalist certainly can express herself better in her native tongue, rather than use English (as they tried later on). The new 10th Anniversary edition adds a second CD called “River Of Memories”, which is a collection of previously unreleased material by the group and offshoot projects, all very interesting and worth having. Several video clips are added as well. This is a masterpiece in every respect and every single second of this album is absolutely perfect. No serious Prog collection can be complete without this album.
| | | CD 2 Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | QUIDAM ~ SAIKO
ROCK SERVICE 070 (Barcode: 5907729907021) ~ POLAND ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 2011 Released: 2012
This is the tenth album by the legendary Polish Prog ensemble QuidamFind albums by this artist, recorded four years after their last studio album "Alone TogetherFind albums with this title". It marks a dramatic transformation in the group´s stylistic approach as far as its music, lyrics, production and aesthetic aura is concerned, an alteration more profound than that, which occurred when Quidam´s original vocalist Emila DerkowskaFind albums by this artist left the group to be replaced by Bartek KossowiczFind albums by this artist. The album consists of twelve original compositions, as usual credited to the group members, eight of which are songs and four are instrumental interludes. Only one of the songs has lyrics in English and the other seven have Polish lyrics.
The group´s decision to go back and use lyrics in the Polish language (as they did in their early days) is a profound resolution, which is completely misunderstood by most of their fans, especially those outside of Poland. My regular readers are aware of my passionate opinion on this subject, which always advocates the usage of mother tongue in lyrics. Every vocalist not performing in his / hers native langue losses an enormous amount of depth, expression and precision simply due to the fact that the meaning of words is deeply embedded in our brains in the natural language and so much is lost in the "translation" when we articulate our thoughts in a foreign language. And of course there is the problem with the unnatural accent, pronunciation and articulation, which are never really correct (and that is especially true for Polish vocalists singing in English), regardless of how hard they try or how good they are. I salute Quidam for taking this bold decision, which proved their maturity as artists. Only mature artists are able to understand, that their true Art transcends language barriers and singing in English is not really necessary to achieve international success.
But apart from the language, Quidam also make a giant stylistic leap in their music, crossing over from the 1970s to the 21st Century. They update their sound, arrangements, production and the overall aura to contemporary Rock idiom, using electronics, loops, layers and other paraphernalia simply in order to update their vocabulary. As much as I love the sound of early Prog, which Quidam so beautifully sustained and even expanded in their music made prior to this album, one must admit that keeping that style artificially alive has its limits and keeping doing it forever borders on necrophilia. Many fans, shocked by this new musical approach, failed to see through these external manifestations deeply into the soul of this music, which is very much a continuation of the good old Quidam. There is the same beautiful lyricism, intrinsic melancholy, depth of expression and above all superb musicianship and Artistic profundity of expression. As always, this music is perfectly executed, dramatically sung and contains a message. Quidam prove yet again, that a masque makes an impact, but does not change the person behind it.
In the months since this album was released I´ve read a plethora of highly critical reviews, some of which were truly abusive and cruel. It is sad, that people who have very little understanding of music have the audacity to express their opinions in public. I guess that the middle finger is the only proper response to such "opinions".
Quidam emerge on this album victorious, overcoming against all odds the objective difficulties that contemporary music faces, with the world loosing interest in music and stupidity and shallowness ruling our lives. Being able to progress is after all the essence of Prog, and Quidam yet again prove that they have very little competition anywhere on this planet. This is an absolute gem, which every Prog fan should be honored to have in their collection.
| | | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | QUIDAM ~ SNY ANIOLÓW / ANGELS` DREAMS (LIMITED EDITION)
ROCK SERWIS 102 (Barcode: 5907729910229) ~ POLAND ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1998 Released: 2006
2nd album by the superb Polish Prog band QuidamFind albums by this artist. The angelic voice of Emila DerkowskaFind albums by this artist in the lead and the great instrumental work by all the players in the band create together one of the freshest and most uplifting performances in modern Prog. This album follows splendidly in the tracks set by the stunning debut, released two years earlier, and fills all the expectations. The album was released in two versions – one with Polish lyrics and the other with English lyrics. Although Derkowska feels comfortably with the English vocals, the Polish version is preferable in my opinion, as the singer is free to concentrate on her vocal performances rather than (at least subconsciously) on the foreign language. The music is a unique mixture of classic Prog elements with classical and folk influences. The flute is the second leading voice in the band and it provides a splendid companion to the singer’s delicate voice. The album is full of gorgeous melodies, magic moments and atmospheric tension, which set the standard of Progressive Rock music another notch higher. This beautiful new edition includes both versions of the album in an exquisite mini-sleeve packaging.
| | | CD 2 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend |
  | QUIDAM ~ STRONG TOGETHER (DELUXE EDITION)
ROCK SERVIS 069 (Barcode: 5907729906994) ~ POLAND ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 2009 Released: 2010
This is the ninth album by the legendary Polish Prog ensemble QuidamFind albums by this artist, which documents a concert recorded when the group was promoting their seventh album "Alone TogetherFind albums by this artist". As usual, a concert by Quidam is a feast and a celebration of their music and the well over two hours long program includes music from the new album as well as classics from their earlier albums and "quotations" from their favorite Prog groups. The package includes 2 CDs with music and a DVD with the video of the concert.
Quidam always were the model performers and this concert is an absolutely perfect example of great showmanship and sublime musicianship, which should serve as textbook for all other Neo-Prog groups around the world, most of which are really sub-standard at best and completely atrocious at the worst case. The members of Quidam are all brilliant musicians and their lead singer is one of the best vocalists around (getting better all the time). They can all keep a tune, improvise, change dynamics, and so on. They also have an exquisite feel for the music, they swing and they are fun. What else might one ask for?
Every Prog fan on this planet should have a field day with this album, either in the audio or video formats (or both), and if they don´t they must be either deaf of retarded. Quidam are simply better that absolutely any other Neo-Prog band on this planet, and this without playing even one tiny note of the dreaded Metal. This music is 100 % non-toxic to your ears, body and mind…
The many Quidam fans around the world need no persuasion to grab this instantly but my advice goes primarily to Prog fans in other countries: if you can grab a copy of this album your life will be changed forever and you´ll discover real music, which can proudly be called Neo-Prog after years of listening to the ersatz stuff. A must!
| | Updated: 21/09/2021Posted: | 2CD+DVD 3 Digipak Box Set Recommend To A Friend |
  | QUIDAM ~ SURREVIVAL
ROCK SERWIS 063 (Barcode: 5907729906321) ~ POLAND ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 2005 Released: 2005
5th album by the phenomenal Polish Prog group QuidamFind albums by this artist. It took them 3 years to recover from the sudden blow inflicted on them when their lead singer / lyricist Emila DerkowskaFind albums by this artist unexpectedly left them. Since Quidam were essentially built around Emila’s central role, this entire concept was now gone and the remaining core band members had to redesign and rethink their new direction. Slowly they developed new material and after enlisting a new (male this time) lead singer and lyricist Bartek KossowiczFind albums by this artist they were finally ready to record a new album. As the album’s title reveals, they eventually managed both to survive and to revive their group. But the new Quidam, which emerges here, is very different from the previous incarnation. The sound is much harder, similar at times to Steve HogarthFind albums by this artist’s era MarillionFind albums by this artist and ArenaFind albums by this artist. The early soft GenesisFind albums by this artist influences and folksy instrumentation is gone, replaced by strong guitar and keyboards lines. The only resemblance remains in the beautiful flute parts. The new singer is truly excellent, singing only in English with no foreign accent whatsoever. This switch from Polish to English is one more difference in the band’s approach, surely influenced by their worldwide success. One thing is quite obvious: with all the changes and transformations they remain to be one of the best and strongest contemporary Prog bands, with very limited competition. The album includes excellent music from start to finish, brilliantly played and sung – one can ask nothing more than that. Definitely a worthy addition to the band’s excellent musical legacy and a must for every serious Symphonic Prog fan.
| | | CD 1 Slipcase Recommend To A Friend |
  | QUIDAM ~ THE FIFTH SEASON – LIVE IN CONCERT
METAL MIND 0395 (Barcode: 5907785034839) ~ POLAND ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 2005 Released: 2009
This is the eighth album by the excellent Polish Prog group QuidamFind albums by this artist, although it was recorded back in 2005 during the period when the group was promoting their fifth album "SurrevivalFind albums with this title", their first release after they regrouped following the loss of their spectacular lead singer Emilia DerkowskaFind albums by this artist three years earlier. The new lineup is fronted by the new vocalist Bartosz KossowiczFind albums by this artist, who also became the group´s lyricist (in English, as opposed to the mostly Polish lyrics used by the first incarnation of the group). Additional musicians include keyboardist Zbigniew FlorekFind albums by this artist, guitarist Maciej MellerFind albums by this artist, flautist / percussionist Jacek ZasadaFind albums by this artist, bassist Mariusz ZiolkowskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Maciej WroblewskiFind albums by this artist.
The music includes several tracks from their (then) new album "Surrevival" and the rest are retrospective glimpses on the group´s earlier material as well as quotations from their favorite Masters like GenesisFind albums by this artist and others. As the title tells, the music was recorded live during one concert and the sound quality is absolutely stunning for a live recording, full of body and detail.
Quidam´s re-birth was quite remarkable, as this album clearly shows which after all is not really surprising, as they always were the best Polish Prog ensemble with no competition whatsoever. Of course the loss of Derkowska was a blow, but Kossowicz is a remarkable singer and is capable of holding the focus on his vocals. The decision to switch to English is of course unforgivable, but I respect the group´s decision in that matter. Instrumentally they are simply sublime, with every note just in the right spot, the rhythm section playing perfect time and the music perfectly merging Rock riffs with Prog complex melodies.
Although this album does not present anything fundamentally new as far as their repertoire is concerned, it is nevertheless an excellent piece of music, which rarely happens on the Prog scene in Poland or anywhere else for that matter. Quidam fans need no encouragement to grab this immediately, especially in view of the fact that this is a limited edition of 1,000 copies only. This concert is also available on DVD under the same title and includes some additional material not found here due to the obvious time limitations.
No brainer as far as any Prog fan worldwide is concerned!
| | | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | QUIDAM ~ THE FIFTH SEASON – LIVE IN CONCERT
METAL MIND 0056 (Barcode: 5907785027121) ~ POLAND ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 2005 Released: 2006
This DVD by the excellent Polish Prog group QuidamFind albums by this artist was recorded in 2005 during the period when the group was promoting their fifth album "SurrevivalFind albums with this title", their first release after they regrouped following the loss of their spectacular lead singer Emilia DerkowskaFind albums by this artist three years earlier. The new lineup is fronted by the new vocalist Bartosz KossowiczFind albums by this artist, who also became the group´s lyricist (in English, as opposed to the mostly Polish lyrics used by the first incarnation of the group). Additional musicians include keyboardist Zbigniew FlorekFind albums by this artist, guitarist Maciej MellerFind albums by this artist, flautist / percussionist Jacek ZasadaFind albums by this artist, bassist Mariusz ZiolkowskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Maciej WroblewskiFind albums by this artist.
The music includes several tracks from their (then) new album "Surrevival" and the rest are retrospective glimpses on the group´s earlier material as well as quotations from their favorite Masters like Genesis and others. As the title tells, the music was recorded live during one concert and the sound quality is absolutely stunning for a live recording, full of body and detail.
Quidam´s re-birth was quite remarkable, as this album clearly shows which after all is not really surprising, as they always were the best Polish Prog ensemble with no competition whatsoever. Of course the loss of Derkowska was a blow, but Kossowicz is a remarkable singer and is capable of holding the focus on his vocals. The decision to switch to English is of course unforgivable, but I respect the group´s decision in that matter. Instrumentally they are simply sublime, with every note just in the right spot, the rhythm section playing perfect time and the music perfectly merging Rock riffs with Prog complex melodies.
Although this DVD does not present anything fundamentally new as far as their repertoire is concerned, it is nevertheless an excellent piece of music, which rarely happens on the Prog scene in Poland or anywhere else for that matter. Quidam fans need no encouragement to grab this immediately. This concert is also available on CD under the same title, which was released as a limited edition item three years after this DVD was released and in a slightly shorter version of the material found here due to the obvious time limitations.
No brainer as far as any Prog fan worldwide is concerned!
| | | DVD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | QUIDAM ~ THE TIME BENEATH THE SKY
MUSEA 4441 (Barcode: 3426300044419) ~ POLAND ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 2002 Released: 2002
4th album by the Polish Prog band QuidamFind albums by this artist. This album includes the over 30 minutes long suite, from which the title is taken. Brilliant compositions and fabulous playing, not to mention the dreamy vocals by Emila DerkowskaFind albums by this artist, all make this a truly enjoyable and highly sophisticated musical experience. Poland is definitely taking a serious position on the conteporary Prog scene!
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | RIVERSIDE ~ REALITY DREAM TRILOGY
MYSTIC (PL) 178 (Barcode: 5903427874894) ~ POLAND ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 2003 - 2008 Released: 2011
This remarkable set (not a Box Set, as it´s not packaged in a box) presents the recorded account of the first five years in the history of the Polish Prog band RiversideFind albums by this artist, which is the only second-generation Neo-Prog Polish band to earn any international attention. It includes the band´s first three albums (hence trilogy) as well as EPs, singles and live recordings spanning this period. Packaged together into an impressive six CD digipak, this is definitely an awe inspiring bundle.
Riverside, who started their musical path in 2003, comprise of vocalist / bassist / lyricist Mariusz DudaFind albums by this artist, guitarist Piotr GrudzinskiFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Michal LapajFind albums by this artist and drummer Piotr KozieradzkiFind albums by this artist. The music they compose is jointly credited to the group. Their albums were all released on the international market (in Europe and US) and they are the only Polish Prog group to achieve such success. Even the group QuidamFind albums by this artist, their precursors and Polish Prog leaders during the preceding decade, did not manage to achieve similar success, even if they deserved it at least as much if not more.
I find Riverside to be a truly misinterpreted Prog group, since most fans and critics conveniently slot them inside the Prog Metal sub-genre, which is completely off the chart in their case. Although they do play heavily at times and the vocals are a bit over the top occasionally, they have absolutely nothing to do with Prog Metal and are mostly a Symphonic Prog group. Their music is beautifully melodic, often even lyrical (typical Polish form of lyricism) and God forbid almost romantic. Don’t be fooled by the guitar riffs and screams, listen to the melody enfolding and you´ll hear what I mean.
Riverside are also the most copied (mostly terribly badly) band in Poland and I suppose even outside the country´s borders. Their relative success pushed many bands to try and copy their characteristic patterns, without of course understanding their musical content and its structure. Absurdly, Riverside, although a great band, is a terrible role model, as it obviously is way beyond imitation. As a result the Polish Prog scene is now full of wannabe Riverside groups playing terrible, ear-hurting and brain-damaging Prog Metal; the price of success?
But this set is full of great music, from start to finish. Perhaps a bit too much to swallow in one go, but still a superb collection of great tunes and inspired performances. Of course the English lyrics sound pretty bad, but the music is so strong that it pushes the bad pronunciation aside, where it can be ignored. Why on earth Riverside decided not to sing in Polish (Quidam stared to sing in Polish) beats me, but this is the most common mistake of Polish bands, hence hardly surprising. Guys, get this: nobody listens to the lyrics in Prog, so you might as well sing in Martian. The vocals are simply a part of the music… oh well.
I suppose this set is mostly for people, who just discovered Riverside, or the real die-hard fans, which already have all this music anyway. In any case it absolutely belongs in the best music collections on this planet, like mine ;) So don´t you dare to miss it!
| | Updated: 21/09/2021Posted: | CD 6 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
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