FOR THE LIGHT

Like in classic prog albums, there's a central recurring theme which opens and closes what I think can be considered a single instrumental suite, despite being divided into short tracks. There's a lot of Roz Vitalis (Rozmainsky) in the sound, in particular that touch of avant showing some Pink Floyd influence. But also the soundscapes of Enine are present in the guitar playing of Mikhaylov. In particular the subtle melanchloy which permeates the album has a feeling similar to the Enin's "Nosferatu" suite.

I have noticed, if I'm not wrong, that the main theme returns in all the tracks whose title contains the word "light", maybe just a coincidence but only the authors could tell.

The production is very clean, like in all the Roz Vitalis albums.

Said so, the music is great. Melancholic prog of this kind seems to be now a sort of standard in the St.Petersburg area. Bands like Yojo come to mind, and the clarinet which is fundamental in this album sets exactly that mood.

A mention is deserved by the closure track, the only one scoring over 10 minutes in which a chirch organ takes the lead. It comes from a dark Crimsonian intro through a rocking first, then a newagey part until the organ brings it to the closure on the original theme.

Probably it's only my impression, but I think I've heard echoes of Stravinskij here and there, other than a very clear influence of King Crimson.

A complex album, already extremely good and also very promising. It will be very interesting see what happens in case the band goes ahead with follow-ups.

4 solid stars for another jewel coming from near the Ladogan Lake.