Record Reviews

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

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