Record Reviews

COLLAGE ~ OVER AND OUT MYSTIC (PL) 442 (Barcode: 5902643887008) ~ POLAND ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 2022 Released: 2022 This is the fifth album by the Polish Progressive Rock band CollageFind albums by this artist, released twenty-seven years after their previous album “SafeFind albums with this title”. The lineup includes the new vocalist Bartosz KossowiczFind albums by this artist, who replaced Robert AmirianFind albums by this artist, guitarist Michal KirmucFind albums by this artist, who replaced Miroslaw GilFind albums by this artist, and the original members: keyboardist Krzysztof PalczewskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Piotr WitkowskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Wojciech SzadkowskiFind albums by this artist. The album presents five tracks, all composed and featuring lyrics (in English) by Szadkowski, except one track which was co-composed by all four instrumentalists of the band. The opening tracks is a six-part suite with over twenty-one minutes in duration. British guitarist Steve RotheryFind albums by this artist (MarillionFind albums by this artist) plays a guest guitar solo on one of the tracks. The music is classic Symphonic Prog, with a dense, keyboards dominated sound, beautiful melodies and the usual dramatic development from one crescendo to another. The musicians are all highly skilled and the vocalist is theatrical and dramatic, as appropriate for the circumstances. The English lyrics are of course a “global market” decision, which can be debated, but the pronunciation and accent are passable, so why not. The recording is a bit muddy and lacks detail, but again nothing that seriously damages the album as a whole, and Prog lovers, Polish or worldwide, should find this album a joy to listen to. I have recently heard the band perform live, and I must say that the live sound and atmosphere were somewhat superior to the result of this recording, but that is a common phenomenon. Overall, it is great to have Collage back as a recording band and although these is not much innovation or revelation in their music, it is a classic Neo-Prog album, which sticks to the formula and delivers everything a Prog fan might wish to hear. Hopefully another album will follow suit, sooner that the waiting time for this one.

Updated: 15/08/2023Posted: 15/08/2023

CD 1 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 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