WORDLESS SCRIPTUM

I am totally proud of being a huge fan of this Hungarian band since their East of Eden debut in 2009 , not because we share the same language and culture but mainly because they have progressed over the years, not only constantly fine tuning their craft but also for taking the relatively rare decision to remake better versions of that initial East of Eden album by rerecording it 10 years later and then, doing exactly the same thing, in the same timeline with Midnight Ball (2011-2021). They listened to my advice, I guess! Perhaps, their 2016 album Man Maschine will get a refurbishing job, especially on the bass guitar parts. Only Android and time will tell.

This 2024 effort is an all-instrumental release, and I can hereby announce in the clearest terms, that it's their finest effort yet, as they have reached the promised land that was so obvious all along. Android are sitting definitely on the prog podium, with a tight unit composed of the highly talented keyboardist Jozsef Tozser, lead guitarist maestro Janos Dudas, bassist Zoltan Nikolin and drummer Orban Mezo. A quick word on the latter two, who along with the vastly improved production, have now the chance to shine as brightly as possible, elevating their presence and talent to impeccable levels. Eschewing a vocalist, the spotlight rests firmly on the soloists as well as the foundational rhythmic section to excel and boldly go beyond the pale. Jozsef in particular has courageously stepped up his game, as his piano and synthesizer work has matured with unbelievable confidence and this mostly due to the melodic content of the compositions. Dudas has always been a phenomenon, so he just keeps on dishing out tasty licks and clever leads, without sounding like someone else, as he does possess a personal style of his own. A dozen tracks, including a final 4 track suite that seals the deal, offering an enchanting blend of classical prog symphonics with a modern sheen (they are called Android after all).

A series of five tracks set the tone for the proceedings, a never-ending climb into a wordless instrumental script, giving Jozsef a lot of sonic space to dazzle the ivory board. His delicately docile intro on "PreGenesis" conjures up various images of child-like fantasy, a heady first impression before the strident guitar elevates the mood on "Genesis", bringing along the spinning bass groove and the snappy drums into the fray, as the baby learns to utter its fist words. The third level ratches up the storm on "Chaos and Order", a highly structured guitar rampage among the synthesized symphonics, initiating a glorious theme drenched in classicism, while the steadfast bass keeps the foundation equally melodic. Next flight up, "A Kind of Joy" coalesces all the preceding compositions into one intense paroxysm where both soloists challenge each other in creating a stunning dialogue that is full of exuberance and bravado. The fifth and final floor is the penthouse epic, nearly 8 minutes long, where the "War and Peace" theme offers the musical equivalents of the two contrary states of conflict. The stage is illuminated for the fierce clash between the malicious guitar and the slippery synthesisers, the devilish bass pushing the cunning drums into even more manic levels of syncopation. Off the charts entertaining, mostly on the heavier side, but a silky piano and a serene electric guitar section show off the passive side just enough to keep the listener in perpetual attention, as that amazing main melody returns, rightfully magnificent and stately. The finale on the screeching axe is quite the ride. An excellently constructed 5-part suite that pleases both the ears and the mind.

Shift into new sonic territory on "Feels Like Feels", where the acoustic and electric guitar compete for predominance, Dudas being quite the distinctive player. Tozser takes his turn on the synthesizer, carving a sweet roller coaster solo. The two combine to create this moody, cocky, defiant but ultimately charming piece, with some jazzy tendencies, only congas and mild percussives to add the rhythmic spice. A timely intermezzo in the form of a classic, highly recognizable acoustic guitar piece by Sainz-Villegas, "Spanish Romance" sounds innocuously simple but is actually quite the tour de force to play. It is also quite beautiful in its crushing emotionalism. The variation is in a rockier style with a punitive delivery that raises the roof on passion and then suddenly veers into a spectral veneer of e-piano that basks in introspection before another Dudas foray that agonizes once again. The romantic ride ends in exhaustion. A terrific 7-minute progressive masterpiece. This came as a wholly unexpected revelation, as "Incomplete Farewell" has a strong bluesy feel and somehow rings a bell. Dudas expertly caresses his guitar, extirpating excruciating notes full of pain and distress, once again dueting with Tozser's synth, as they go back and forth in complete musical copulation. Nikolin grumbles underneath like a spurned lover, while Orban grins accordingly. The 3 part "Metamorphosis" is another intelligently crafted 12-minute suite, a sultry violin making a slithering entrance sounding very Hungarian before part 2 thunders into the limelight like Deep Purple on a mission. The heavy metal pounding drums propel the guided missile bass and the thick fretboard slashes. Growling organ and a whistling synth serve up some respite before the evocative piano and the Blackmore-inspired lead guitar rams the arrangement like a swarthy bull looking for some fighter in search of a proper goring. Ole! The band has fully mastered the sonic power spectrum, comfortable in rampage as in clemency. Part 3 brings back the violin for a wholesome classical inspired finale. Brilliant!

The 12-minute finale is a condensed scorcher with big power chords, twinkling piano, serpentine synthesizer lines, rambunctious bass colorations, and perfectly encompasses the sheer quality and enjoyment of the performed material, nothing sounds wasted or redundant, but rather exciting and ardent, with at times, a fiery intensity. Skillfully interspersed are snippets or orchestrations that would make Liszt proud. It is obvious that a lot of work went into creating this opus and profound kudos must be offered to the boys! This band has progressed naturally over the years to become a real powerhouse in Progressive Rock. Along with Djabe, Ghost Toast and Deposed King, the Hungarian prog scene is thriving again, just ask Steve Hackett. Highly recommended instrumental offering. 5 Home-made palinkas

Band info. "The Hungarian outfit Android was originally formed back in 1980 by students and teachers from the Lajos Kossuth Univeristy of Arts and Sciences (today known as The University of Debrecen). Dudas Janos (guitars), Szekelyhidi Laszlo (bass), Tozser Jozsef (keyboards), Milesz Sandor (keyboards) and Mezo Orban (drums) made up the initial line- up, and the band specialized in long, symphonic works - often inspired by literary works by writers such as Mikhail Bulgakov and Robert Graves. Android disbanded without ever releasing any music though, but its members carried on playing music in other outfits, some of which turned out to be rather succesfull. Android reunited on a select few occasions over the years with various line-ups, most notably on the band's 15th "birthday" in 1995 for a live concert. In 1995 keyboardist Tozser Jozsef also composed 50 minutes of new music, and combined with some of Android's older numbers released this as the cassette only production East Of Eden. In 2008 most of the original members hooked up again, and decided that it was time to reunite the band. Soon after all forming members, without bassist Laszlo, had agreed to start off this musical adventure anew, and with Pocsai Sandor (bass) in as the new man Android was ready for the second chapter of its history. In September 2008 they made their live debut at Budapest Papp Laszlo Sports Arena in front of an audience of 6000, and in May 2009, 29 years after the original foundation of the band, Android issued their official debut CD, a re-recorded and re-orchestrated version of Jozsef's 1996 album East of Eden."

This new album entitled Wordless Scriptum is the bands 6th CD release since the eponymous effort from 2009. I am a huge fan of Omega and Solaris, and I like East, After Crying and Yesterdays so I was very curious to the sound of this Hungarian prog formation when I reviewed their previous album entitled Another Midnight Ball (see review, 2022, reissue from 2011). "The eleven compositions alternate between melodic rock, Neo-Prog and Heavy Prog, with a very accessible and harmonic sound, the English vocals contain a strong accent but to me it sounds OK, and most parts of the music are instrumental. The focus is on excellent work on guitars and synthesizers, featuring strong interplay and lots of soli, fueled by a tight rhythm-section. Especially in the longer tracks I am excited about the smoking guitars, and the spectacular Minimoog-like synthesizer sound, from spacey to fat, wow!"

In comparison with Another Midnight Ball this new album sounds more elaborate and more in the symphonic rock tradition, less melodic rock and Neo-Prog, and it's mainly instrumental. I am delighted about the music, the 11 compositions alternate between mellow and bombastic featuring lots of variety, tension and dynamics, and the work on guitar and keyboards is excellent.

1. Tender piano and a harpsichord-like sound, halfway with soaring keyboards and spacey synthesizer Moog synthesizer in Wordless Scriptum - Pregenesis (3:03).

2. Fiery guitar leads, blended with spacey keyboards, and finally Keith Emerson kind of Moog runs in Wordless Scriptum - Genesis (3:30).

3. Sparkling piano and distorted electric guitar, then a slow rhythm, followed by classical orchestrations, spacey synthesizer flights, slow drum beats, halfway blended with intense guitar runs, wah-wah drenched, in Wordless Scriptum - Chaos And Order (3:52)

4. From a mid-tempo beat with varied keyboards and powerful electric guitar to a bombastic eruption with moving electric guitar, and from a Moog synthesizer solo and a swinging piano solo to a heavy guitar solo with wah-wah, and in the end tender piano in Wordless Scriptum - A Kind Of Joy (5:26).

5. Lots of exciting moments in Wordless Scriptum - War And Peace (7:56) : First a slow rhythm with Moog synthesizer flights, fiery electric guitar and strong interplay with powerful drums. Then an accellaration with spectacular Minimoog synthesizer runs and fiery guitar, fuelled by a propulsive rhythm-section, in a bombastic atmosphere, wow! Next a blistering wah-wah drenched guitar solo, in a prog metal climate. In the second part first a sensational Minimoog solo with pitchbend, backed by a thunderous rhythm-section. Then the mood shifts to mellow with delicate keyboard work, and a wonderful Minimoog sound, in the end the music culminates into bombastic with intense guitar work. This great composition showcases the huge potential and progress of the band.

6. Feels Like Feels (4:21) starts with twanging acoustic guitar and spacey synthesizer runs Moog, in a slow rhythm. Halfway wah-wah guitar, and finally spacey with Minimoog synthesizer.

7. The track Spanish Romance (6:51) is a variation on the known Spanish guitar piece Romance D'Amor, I use to play it for my wife on request, haha. The band has done a good job, first mellow and romantic like the original musical climate, but then a sumptuous outburst with Minimoog flights, followed by moving guitar work, very tastefully and dynamically arranged.

8. Tender piano, blended with a moving and howling electric guitar solo, in a slow rhythm, what a beautiful and intense sound in Incomplete Farewell (6:05).

9-10-11 : The epic final composition Metamorphosis contains 3 parts. Part 1 and 3 deliver a classical violin sound (inspired by Vivaldi), part 2 features a varied and dynamic Heavy Prog sound, with echoes from of Kansas, with bombastic organ, heavy guitar work, spacey Minimoog synthesizer, and sparkling violin, halfway tender piano runs and finally bombastic.

12. The bonus-track Metamorphosis differs only from the original one with part 1 and 3, now featuring soaring synthesizer and slide guitar.

I am impressed with how this band has matured during the years, culminating in an excellent new album with lots of variety, dynamics and tension, and spectacular work on the Moog synthesizer and exciting heavy guitar.