BIRDS OF PASSAGE

Well, I'm happy to write that the inspiration keeps chasing Antony Kalugin on his way further and further. I used to consider "Tales from within Dragon Island" as a real masterpiece. Eleven month after KARFAGEN released the next album and it definitely deserves to be listened! Though I like it less then the 2019 album, it is still a great piece of music that is mandatory to be familiar with to everybody interested in nowadays symphonic prog.

Similarly to the previous one, "Birds of Passage" based on the poetry written by English Romanticists. For his 11th album Antony choose Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and William Blake. The idea to combine the romantic poetry and KARFAGEN's music is obviously marvelous as they fits one another very well. The lyrics mood perfectly corresponds to the album tune. Comparing to early KARFAGEN's music the title suite (44 minutes long) includes a lot of vocal parts; however, it seems rather advantage as these parts are balanced quite well. Unlike the Birds of Passage pt.1, the second part of the suite is much more instrumental. Though the structure of suite is more or less typical (linear structure, reprise, classical harmony transitions), every theme is masterfully developed and includes bridges and references to the other one's. This makes a great deal in terms of the suite general cohesion. The same can be stated concerning the album coherence in general ? all transitions are so natural and well-integrated that it is almost impossible to catch the bridge between song parts. The later are quite different and self-sufficient.

The music itself follows the trend that was declared by Antony during the Messages From Afar: it is bright and non-aggressive. The suite seems to be peaceful and harmonized. Even in the most dynamic parts music stays light. I strongly recommend listening to the album carefully and calm. Hustle will definitely prevent you from catching the beauty of the suite. But once you got it, you will continue to listen it again and again. This mood of harmony reminds the PROG ROCK COLLECTIVE music in some moments, which is also great. Musicians that were invited to create the album are extremely skilled and talented and definitely are on their place. Wonderful transitions from Maria Baranovska (violin) and Elena Kushiy (flute) expands the music enormously transforming the band into a real orchestra; however, each participant of the record deserves highest credits altogether with awesome cover, made by Igor Sokolskiy and great processing, mixing and programming, made by Antony in personal (and he gets better and better with every album).

The other tracks considered as bonus ones. "Spring" is rather entertaining song with nice vocal movements and "Sunrise" is great piece of melodic instrumental composition. Maybe including them in the suite would contribute to the holistic perception of the album, though they are good and well balances separately the same as the suite does. To sum up, the album is great; it develops what was done in the previous one and contributes to KARFAGEN discography quite well. However, next time we are awaited to see something quite different and extraordinary, just like Antony usually composes.