SYMFOMANIA - “Empire”

Symphonic Prog - Ukraine

Lovers of classical orientated symphonic rock can find themselves in this first album of the Ukrainian band Symfomania. In a number of characteristics Symfomania deviates from the average band. First of all it is a fully feminine band and secondly the line up renounces the usual guitar/bass/drums/keyboards & vocals-combination, but consists of a string quartet (two violins, viola & violoncello), keyboards & drums. The album is entirely instrumental, so the pressure lies completely with the technical skills and the musical ingenuity of the players. All girls are classically trained and have all won their musical spurs in international competions. Before recording “Empire” the band has participated in lots of larger music festivals and spectacular events, like their appearance in the “Eurovision 2005” song festival, held in Kiev, Ukraine. Furthermore they played on lots of presentations of major international companies. With “Empire” Symfomania  have put their first step into symphonic rock. As is stated in the booklet of the album their music is a mix of symphonic rock to the neo-classic. The result is an album that is a bit of a cross-over of the Finnish cello-based Apocalyptica and the Concerto Grosso albums from the seventies by the Italian band the New Trolls, only recently revived with their albums “The Seven Seasons” & “Concerto Grosso Trilogy Live”, both released in 2007. The music will certainly please as well to fans of the instrumental albums by Ukrainian keyboard wizard Vitalij Kuprij, because Symfomania show the same tendencies towards the romantic and the baroque as the music of their virtuoso compratriot.

The most compositions on the album are by violin player Maria Brodova, with one track by the hand of other violinist Marina Lositskaya, while composer Victor Aidinov has lend a hand on four compositions. The music contains elements of the baroque, like in “Rain”, based on Vivaldian violin-playing, the harpsichord accompanied “Tale” and in the solid adaption of “Prelude c-moll” by J.S. Bach. Romanticism can be enjoyed in “Candle” and the subtle “Fly” with a beautiful warm sounding harmonious string playing.

A more heavy sound, even leaning towards metal is delivered in the bombastic “Gelios” and the heavy “Patrol”. In these tracks the potential of Symfomania can be fully enjoyed. A bit more freedom in the soloing could even make the impact of the music stronger and add to the rock element and it would fit in nicely with the solid double drumming of Victoria Melevskaya and the spiccato cello rhythms of Irina Shulka. I already had the privilege to enjoy a demo-track of their forthcoming new album and it sounded very promising indeed. So if you like the classical touch, you should try “Empire” or you could pay a visit to http://www.symfomania.com.ua/" rel="nofollow - or http://www.myspace.com/symfomania" rel="nofollow - and check things out!

SYMFOMANIA – “Aria”

The second album of all female Ukrainian band SYMFOMANIA shows us a band that has matured a lot. Their first album “Empire” contained an instrumental symphonic rock closer to baroque music and the songs didn’t surpass the length of four minutes. This time the compositions are much longer and show more adventurous soloing by all players. The arrangements are all well balanced and show all possibilities of the string quartet. The playing is again impeccable, but the solos have gained so much in diversity.

Symfomania consists of two violins, played by Veronika Chernyak and Maria Brodova, who may also be held responsible for all string arrangements, a viola played by Valentina Bugrak and a sometimes very heavy sounding cello played by Daria Sedova. The band is completed by keyboard player Olga Aidinova and drummer Victoria Milevskaya, so this leaves us with a band without guitars. This choice of instruments supplies Symfomania with their very characteristic sound by the often very tight playing string quartet.

The compositions are all originally vocal compositions by Ukrainian artists, here executed in elaborate and adventurous arrangements, showing all virtuoso talents of these conservatory graduated girls.

The album starts with the mysterious sounding “Street Of Roses”, carried by a solid rhythm section supplied by the cello and the drums. The violin soloing by both violinists is superb and daring.

The heavy side of Symfomania continues in “Coliseum”, another solid arrangement by Maria Brodova, where again the darker sounds are supplied by the combination viola/cello over the double bass drumming by Victoria Milevskaya.

“Ash Breeze” is a more introverted piece, that starts off with a little Beethoven quote. The sound of the string playing, well supported by the piano is warm and intense. In “Road Hero” the more heavy side of the band is displayed once more. It shows some dazzling virtuoso violin playing and I think it’s one of the best succeeded songs on the album.

The“Ballad Of An Old Russian Warrior” starts with a pizzicato motif played by the cello and it is the composition with most tempo and character changes.

Throughout the album the more heavy sound is alternated by softer and more melodious compositions, sometimes flirting with the kitschy like in “Ice Splinter”.

The album concludes with the solid “We’ll Rock This World”. An exciting and well produced album, where I can only regret that keyboard player Olga Aidinova could only be heard so little in solos. I think it might prove a true enrichment of the arrangements if she showed more of herself.

I enjoyed a lot this second album of Symfomania and I could advise it to anyone who wants to try something different. You will get an extremely well executed and beautiful instrumental album. Of course you can always visit their official web site http://www.symfomania.com.ua/" rel="nofollow - or http://www.myspace.com/symfomania" rel="nofollow - .