WORDLESS

This a Russian four piece band with additional guest musicians on keyboards, flute, trumpet and trombone. Last week I had the pleasure to meet the drummer and guest keyboard player when they were in Amsterdam too because of a short holiday. I was pleased with the very passionate way the drummer 'KS ' told about his appreciation for Bill Bruford.

Well, listening to Infront their debut CD I am not surprised that he mentioned Bill Bruford because KS his drumming has obvious hints: powerful, inventive and frequent use of the hi-hats. Infront their sound is often dynamic and propulsive featuring a fluent rhythm-section and great duo-guitar work, from mellow twanging chords (888 and RUNNN) and sensitive runs (Chinese Butterfly) to fiery soli (like biting wah-wah pedal in 888) and heavy riffs (RUNNN). The way Infront slows down the music at some moments creates a lot of tension with the in general fiery and violent sound, I love their dynamics! The three guest musicians deliver a tasteful contribution like the trumpet/trombone in Autumn Velvet (a kind of mellow 'salsa-King Crimson') and sparkling flute in the alternating, quite dreamy epic composition Chinese Butterfly. This Russian band doesn't make very accessible prog, in my opinion their sound has echoes from other King Crimson inspired band like Shylock (second album Ile De Fièvre) from France, Chilean formation Eksimio and Swedish top band Anekdoten (without Mellotron) because of the fiery guitar, the propulsive rhythm-section and the violent climates. Infront their music is focussed on awesome interplay and creating dynamic atmospheres.

If you are up to adventurous prog and you don't have a problem with the minimal contribution of keyboards, this is a band to discover, thanks for your recommendation Prog-jester!