MASTER & M

For some reason it has taken seven years for Lizard to return with their fourth album, but at thankfully this has been worth the wait as this is their best album to date. Only founder and songwriter Damian Bydliński (vocal, guitar, guitar synthesizers) and Janusz Tanistra (bass) are still there from the last album, so obviously there have been lots of things going on in the background, but the music and package has obviously been taken a step further than previously. I only wish that I could speak Polish as the vocals and lyrics are obviously incredibly important as it is based on Bulgakov's novel "The Master and Margarita" (which I haven't read, but a Russian proghead I know was ecstatic when he heard about this release as Lizard is one of his favourite bands and this is one of his favourite books).

What makes this album work so well is the sheer variety of music that is contained within: broken into five chapters this contains influences from bands as diverse as King Crimson and SBB, that is definitely outside the mainstream but at times is strangely commercial as well. This is one of those prog albums that transcends language barriers, and while I am sure I would get more from it if I could speak the language, in this instance it just means that the vocals themselves become another instrument. There are periods of reflection, and others when the guitars are far more dramatic and in your face (having a second guitarist join the band has given them some additional facets, but they are definitely still eclectic as opposed to heavy).

Lizard have long been one of my favourite Polish prog bands, and this album has just cemented that view, as it really is quite special. Although the lyrics are in Polish, it is possible to view their website in English, thankfully. www.lizard-band.com