OUT OF MYSELF

4.5 stars This band just pushes all the right buttons for me. Duda's vocals are warm and soothing to aggressive and angry. Grudzinski's plays a style of guitar I love, from the tone to the way he makes it soar. And besides he thanks the great ANATHEMA "for their music" in the liner notes. What a debut record though.

The first song "The Same River" is my favourite, the way it builds and all that atmosphere just blows me away. The louder the better ! The guitar 9 1/2 minutes in reminds me of PORCUPINE TREE, and I love the warm vocals that follow. Speaking of vocals, check out the great vocals on "Voices In My Head", and the aggressive, violent "Let me get this straight, let me get this right !" section 2 1/2 minutes in. Just an intense tune. "I Believe" is a mellow song that makes me feel warm all over (must be the vocals) .It opens with the sounds of a party going on as spoken vocals come in with lots of atmosphere. Gentle guitar and vocals follow. Beautiful and meaningful words as the sound of the party return.

"Reality Dream" and "Reality Dream II" are both instrumentals that have atmospheric keyboards, both scorching and soaring guitars with some killer riffs. "Loose Heart" has this cool intro as those wondrous vocals come in with synths. The guitar before 1 1/2 minutes and 3 minutes in are fantastic ! The song turns violent 4 minutes in as he screams over and over "Raise me up" !!! "In Two Minds" is actually a song that is both beautiful and emotional (maybe that was just me...the emotional part of course) haha ! Some nice guitar 3 minutes in. "The Curtain Falls" just builds and builds to a powerful soundscape, great song. "Ok" features some guest trombone before 1 1/2 minutes.This one also reminds me of PORCUPINE TREE with the reserved vocals, keys and percussion.

Thanks Ken Golden for bringing these guys to the world and especially to my home. Amazing music !