REINCARNATIONS / REINKARNACJE

The new millenium found the Polish Millenium in a bit of confusion with the addition of Piotr Plonka on guitars and the result were not the expected ones.However the band kept being very busy and productive with this stable core and recorded a new album in 2002 after a half a year process,while the leader Ryszard Kramarski opened a new studio to work with more comfort.''Reincarnations'' would see the light in double version,both in English and Polish language.

The English version sees the band orienting towards a more personal sound,leaving the rich sound of their debut and the confused ''Vocanda'' behind for good.Millenium now sound a lot like MARILLION on their ''Clutching at straws'' era along with PINK FLOYD hints.Simple structured compositions with an intense lyrical content and some fantastic performances by Lukasz Galeziowsky on vocals.The guitar work is simple but a feeling of grandiosity comes out of the notes.The organ and synths do not deliver any flashy passages,but they are there to create deep,personal and highly atmospheric soundscapes.The production remains a strong point,being bright and clear.The result is pure melodic and atmospheric Neo Prog along the vein of SATELLITE, MR. GIL or later COLLAGE.

This is a mark improvement over ''Vocanda'' and I am pleased to see the band experimenting with their style in a good way.Of course I can't say they created something trully personal,but ''Reincarnations'' indicated that the band stepped into the right direction.Recommended in general,but especially to fans of ethereal Neo Prog...3.5 stars.