EXIST

In the early Nineties I bought the CD Basnie (1990) from Collage, my first Polish progrock album since the LP Follow My Dream (1979) from SBB. Collage their third album Moonshine was released on the legendary Dutch progrock label SI Music. Its huge success fuelled the Polish progressive rock, and gradually Poland turned into a very prolific progrock country, from Quidam and Satellite to Moonshine, Believe, Osada Vida and of course Riverside, without any doubt the most popular Polish progrock formation. Another interesting and prolific band is Millenium, a five piece formation that has released ten studio-albums between 1998 and 2017. This review is about their most praised effort entitled Exist, from 2008.

This seventh album contains four long compositions (all between 11 and 16 minutes) that sound very tasteful, and contain lots of flowing shifting moods and some surprising musical twists and turns.

Like the final part of Embryo featuring first sparkling Grand piano, then a catchy mid-tempo.

A solo on the Warr guitar during the conclusion of Up & Down.

A flashy synthesizer solo in Rat Race.

And the sound of the vibraphone in the final track Road To Infinity.

Millenium their sound is melodic, accessible and modern but I also notice hints of early Pink floyd because of the Gilmourian guitarwork (loaded with emotion and very compelling) and the warm organ sound. The colouring by the guitar and keyboards is very tastefully, along with the emotional English vocals and the frequent changing atmospheres. Millenium succeeds to keep my attention, despite the long running time of the compositions.

My highlight is the final song Road To Infinity. First dreamy with acoustic rhythm guitar and melancholical vocals, then lots of flowing shifting moods and halfway a wonderful part with orchestral keyboards and piano. In the end a splendid build-up to the final part with inspired vocals, a long and moving guitar solo (between David Gilmour and Mark Knopfler), supported by lush organ and slow drum beats, this is Progheaven!

Also recommended: other Polish progrock formation The Adekaem with their second album Sound Coloring (from 2017, wonderful Gilmourian guitar work), featuring bass player Krzysztof Wyrwa from Millenium, full circle.