METANOIA

Third release of Michal Wojtas' project is containing a quite nice blend of modern rock music with some ethnic influences. Only about half of the album is kept pure instrumental this time. The addition of excellent guest singer Mariusz Duda from RIVERSIDE in six of the eleven tracks was a large enrichment for their sound. Only two songs ("Tirzah" and "In struggle") are very weak, more commercial type ones. The rest of the album can be considered as a rather solid work in modern progressive rock. Actually not really that progressive and anything I'd recommend to a prog fan as a must-have, but at least a rather versatile and pleasant album that is a bit different from the usual neo prog ones. I'm giving 3 solid stars for this one.

There is no doubt that this (band) artist heard M. Oldfield quite a lot (hence the name of course).

This third album from Michał and some friends offers little variations from the previous work. The music is nonchalant and little enthusiastic. But not disturbing.

This multi-instrumentalist is probably gifted, but his song writing capabilities are not really from beyond if you see what I mean. Moments of glory are close to none here. I guess that you would like to listen to some better music, right?

On top of this, most of the music is repetitive (''Rules'') and dull. Some sort of eighties electronic stuff. I have to say that I'm not submerged with passion while listening to such work.

Even if one of the guest (Mariusz Duda) and one of his fellow countryman brings some added value, it doesn't change the global picture. Little surprising stuff available here to be honest. At times harder (''Look Around''), but this only sounds normal to me. Mariusz had to leave his mark in here, I guess.

While Mariusz is not whispering, we get some sorts of instrumentals, Middle-East oriented like ''Tirzah'' which can't really thrill my old ears. Weak, IMHHO. This album holds too many sampling sequences to my taste (but I confess that I have never been a devoted fan of this technique). To experience and survive a track like ''In Struggle'' is a quite meritorious. But I could say the same about most of the tracks featured on this album.

As you might have understood, this album is not really my cup of tea. Heavy at times, with no or so little flavour really. Maybe some electronic freak could appreciate this more than I do. Maybe.No surprise that ''Wind from the East'' holds a strong Oriental beat and texture. But it sounds so flat.

The only song that is moving me is ''The Day After''. A great melancholic ballad during which the whispering tone from Mariusz is excelling. One out of eleven songs.

As such, I can't rate this album higher than two (little) stars.