CHROMATIC POINT

— First review of this album —

Progressive rock is known for odd rhythms, diversity of styles combined, fast time switches and the adding of other instruments, which are not quite prominent or are even quite exotic for rock music. However, I have never listened to prog metal with zurna before and that strange combination blew me away. The zurna is a Turkish wind instrument that is very closely bonded with Turkish and Oriental folklore and its sound is so specific that you couldn't spontaneously think of hearing it anywhere else. At least I hardly couldn't. Till recently. I am a big fan of Chromatic Point since I first heard them in 2013 and I really love their approach in mixing standard classy prog metal of the types of Liquid Tension Experiment, Symphony X or Dream Theater with Macedonian and Balkan folk music. I am in general an admirer of the symbiosis between Balkan folk and modern music of any kind, but I am aware that successful tries are hard to be achieved. You have to really understand and feel deep inside the folk vibes, so you wouldn't make them sound grotesque or just cheap when mixed with other music. These Macedonians are really doing it well and they are doing it mostly without the use of any traditional instruments - just guitars, bass, drums and keyboard. That's why I am especially careful when they decide to put a folk instrument now and then - like tupan, kaval or tarambuka, as they did on previous albums. It can do wonders for the composition, but it can also ruin it completely. Well, when I first heard "Катарза" (Catharsis), the song with the zurna, it really caught me by surprise. For a moment I didn't know what to think and the next minute the zurna was gone. But not for long - a second appearance came rather quickly and I was already loving it. "Катарза" instantly became my favourite track off the album, not only because of the zurna, of course - it's long, complex and fun to follow. A real cathartic listening experience.

But "Катарза" is by far not the only great track here. In fact, there is no weak point at all. The opener "Патувајќи низ сонот", which means "Travelling through the dream", is almost like a journey through the collective memory of the Balkans and might be called symbolic for the music and the cause of the band as a whole - everything sounds so familiar and so new, so cozy and so frightening at the same time. Just like life itself. "Малешевска реченица II" is a remake of the title with the same name from their debut. I am not sure which one I like better, but the second one is surely a bit folkier with an awesome ethnic figure on guitar, which is missing in the first one that is more keyboard-driven. "Colour" and "Последна мисла" (Last Thought) are the other two compositions with folk instruments in them - tarambuka in the first and kaval, tarambuka and again zurna in the second. The rest of the tracks are straight prog rockers with folk touches thrown smoothly throughout and making you headbang while... well, I don't know... maybe dancing horo or playing the air tarambuka or something.

But don't take my words for granted. Even if you are not into Balkan folk, I assure you will like this or any Chromatic Point record. It's mostly good progressive metal. Preserving the Macedonian folk tradition for the future modern-time generations is just a nice bonus. Nothing more and nothing less.

— First review of this album —

Chromatic Point's second albums is a great step ahead, especially in the variety of means of expression and musical themes. The compositions are more groovy, very sustainable and include some quite tingling blues and jazz touches. This is the first album to feature guest musicians and additional traditional instrumentation - in the track "Подземен екот" (Underground Eco) Diro and Garo Tavityan - sons of Macedonian best-known jazz-rock band Leb i Sol's drummer Garabet Tavityan - provide a synth and a drum solo, respectively. In the track "Стихија" (Element) you can hear traditional playing and choir singing by Macedonian folk group "Synthesis".

My favourite here is without any doubt the eponymous "Слики од старата куќа" with its jazzy intro, tender folky duels between clean guitar and acoustic piano and a strong upbeat metallic middle part. A great guitar solo is to be found on "Песна без зборови", which title is kinda funny meaning "A song without lyrics" as if it is the only one such track. But then again - the guitar work here sorta actually does the singing duty quite well. The easy piano riff and overall presence on the otherwise fast-paced "Сува земја" (Dry Land) is one of the most pleasant things on the album. The final 10-minute epos "Црно-бел мозаик" combines almost everything the band is capable of and summerise their two albums to date almost perfectly. Only a little touch of traditional instruments is missing to make a 100% showcase out of it. But that's really not necessary here, cause it is not intended. I am just saying.

An album and a band worth discovering and having in any prog rock collection. For ethno-rock lovers it is a sure must.

— First review of this album —

Chromatic Point is a Macedonian ethno progressive metal band that combines smoothly prog rock and metal aestetics with Macedonian and Balkan folk music. This is their debut album released just two years after the foundation of the group. The music follows the trends of modern prog metal, but is also full of odd rhythms, which are very common in Balkan folklore, and strong catchy melodies resambling the part of the world they are living in. The record is all-instrumental and a bit more repetitive compared to their next works, but still a strong effort and a must-try for every prog-metalhead. My favourites here are "Троскот", "Малешевска реченица" and "Разловци 1876", although all compositions are fun to listen to.

An album which hints what will come next, but can easily stand of its own, too.