Record Reviews

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.

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