INTO THE NIGHT

Satellite is probably Poland´s leading prog band and one of the biggest groups in that genre nowadays. And still they decided to do some changes. They could easily try to replicate their trademark sound and play safe but instead they are braving some new territories. Don´t worry, Palczewisk´s majestic keyboards runs are here and so are some of Sarhan´s most beautiful guitar solos. And the good news seem that they got a new, real bass player.

So, different means better? Tricky question I´ve been asking myself since I got the CD. Certainly this album turned out a bit uneven, but this is mostly because of just one track, the 13 minute Dreams. It seems that it was heavily influenced by leader Wojtek Szadkowski´s side project Peter Pan. Like that group the music is sometimes a bit too loud and chaotic for Satellite. Even some electronic processed vocals are included. It´s not a bad tune - it has some real fine moments - but it is too long and should not be listed as the second track of the album. That way it stands it almost ruins the album sequence. It could have been an excellent album finisher.

The rest of the CD is excellent. Even if every song has something new or unusual, the music flows brilliantly and it is Satellite after all. Highlights are the title track (a new classic, with its wonderful early Crimson-like mellotron ending), Don´t Walk Away In Silence and Heaven Can Wait. The two bonus tracks are slightly below par when compared to the others, but nice anyway. And it is always good to see some restless musicians who do not sit on their former glories. Without sacrificing their strong points they are escaping from what could have been a redundant album.

Conclusion: not as accessible as their two previous CDs, but still very strong and inspired. It might take some time to digest on its whole. It reminds me of Collage´s Safe in some aspects. But actually it is a little better than that album, since there is no real weak songs. Different songs, yes. Neo prog fans, rejoice! There´s something new on the market!