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