Оглашенные, изыдите / OGLASHENNYE IZYDITE

In 1999, prog rock group ARTel and classical guitarist Sergei Kalugin joined forces, adopting the name 'Orgia Pravednikov' ('Orgy of the Righteous') after they asked their fans what the music sounded like. The band comprise Kalugin (lead vocal and acoustic guitar), Yuri Ruslanov (flute, keyboard, mandolin, fretless bass, backing vocals), Alexey Burkov (electric guitar, backing vocals), Artemy Bondarenko (bass guitar, double bass, growling vocals), and Alexander Vetkhov (drums). Some of the band are interested in incredibly melodic and folky material, while others are interested in music that is far harsher, metallic and abrasive, and somehow they work together to produce some of the most interesting and eclectic prog around.

This is their debut album released in 2001, and translates (I think) to 'Catchumens Depart'. Imagine you will, a folk album that includes elements of music from the middle east, Asia and eastern Europe, with delicate acoustic guitar, lulling vocals and gentle percussion. Then imagine an album that features a heavier version of Cardiacs, with some death metal growls and heavy riffs that feature djent among other styles. Add to this Russian lyrics, and then try to combine that in your head, and possibly you may be able to understand just what this album is like. Seriously, there are so many things going on that it just doesn't make sense, and in the end the brain stops attempting to make the band fit into any type of musical box, and instead goes with the flow. It is at this point that one realises that while Orgiya Pravednikov are pretty much in a genre that contains just them, it actually follows some sort of twisted logic.

I don't think I have ever heard an album quite like this, and while Cardiacs are the only band that comes close to them, even that isn't really accurate. Reissued digitally by Progshine, this is definitely worth investigating.