W GALERII CZASU

Liked it enough at the store to buy it and once home , boy, did I get rid of that quick as it was really not my cup of tea. I believe that this band has a clear and cool sound, impressive enough to be able to scramble dough to get the album home. The problem is that further listening (and going a bit deeper than just scratching the surface), you will realize quickly that this yet again an alright album (not really deserving that much such a low rating from me), but one of those hundreds of such releases just hovering around your shelves and gathering dust.

Neo only like Poland can do it , very clean sounding but like there are hundreds of such albums.

I bought this album by the Polish band Lizard on a whim and the fact that it was in the clearance section of one of my favorite online sellers. You certainly can't beat a bargain, and this one was well worth the price. Many of the reviews for Lizard's 2004 release, Psychopuls, have described their music as a cross of King Crimson, UK, and ELP. I can only guess the group got it's name from KC's Lizard album of 1970. But their debut, in my opinion, only shows a slight King Crimson influence and very little signs of the other mentioned groups. In fact, I would say their debut has a rather unique sound combined from a more diverse mix of influences. Finally, please disregard that this has been released by Metal Mind Records. This band has nothing to do with metal. They are an equal mix of symphonic prog and neo prog.

Clearly the main focus of Lizard's sound is keyboards. There are ample amounts of lush and spacey atmospheres creating a beautiful background for guitar playing in a Hackett/Rothery-like style, excellent drum work, and strong bass playing. The vocals are entirely in Polish, which is hardly a distraction as the singer is quite skilled. The music is not really that complex, but it has well-composed melodies. As mentioned before, there is a slight King Crimson influence in places, but I sense a much stronger Marillion influence in many of the songs. I've also heard this band compared to Collage and although I have not had the chance to hear Collage's material, they do sound somewhat similar to another Polish band called Abraxas, especially Abraxas' first release. Of the six tracks on this release, not one of them is weak in my opinion. The best song is clearly the epic W krainie szmaragdowego jaszczura.

The last three tracks on this release are live bonus tracks. Two of them are live versions of songs from this album, the other is unrelated. These are performed really well, the audience is almost not heard at all (maybe they were doing laundry? or maybe they were removed from the mix to bring out the band's sound better?), and the recording is of lesser quality than the studio tracks, as expected.

Overall, a great buy if you can get it cheaply. It's also one of the better debuts I've heard in awhile and I would highly recommend to symphonic/neo prog fans, especially those looking for that unique East European feel. I think instead of the bonus tracks, one more epic would've convinced me to seriously consider this as a masterpiece. However, this is still an excellent addition to any prog rock collection. Easily four stars.

Dare it be said again, the Poles have another major recommendation to add to their already prestigious Prog history., an talented quintet that creates breathtaking music in the usual grand style one associates with this storied land. This debut album is a concept based on the magical mystery tour of an enchanted mythical museum and the silent beauty emanating from the canvases. Sung entirely in Polish (no, its not that harsh at all) , the music flows gingerly in melodyland, with synths gone beserk, muscular yet defined rythms, immediately grabbing the jugulararrangements and unpredictable soundscapes. In the true progressive tradition, themes return with added gusto, fiery instrumental passages conspire with passionate vocals. The overall impression is one of smooth confidence, never a hint of tedium, delivering highly original material that deserves lofty praise. As far as concept albums go, this CD is a fine testament that would make Chopin proud. The softer track 5 is a defining moment that is achingly beautiful. Grab a chilled vodka (polish, of course), sit back and enjoy . 4 Dalis

I was a little surprised with this one, having really enjoyed "Psychopuls" i was expecting another KING CRIMSON sounding record. Not even close. This is their debut and I was impressed at how clear the sound was. Excellent production. As usual the vocals are in Polish and are the only real negative for me.The keyboard play dominates this record, although the drumming is very well done.

"Kazdy Dzien To Wiecej Ran W Twej Glowie" is a long title eh ? It opens with a bombastic display of sounds before settling down to piano and gentle vocals as washes of synths come into play.The sound becomes intense 3 minutes in led by a drum / synth melody. Some in your face (ears) bass towards the end of the song. Nice."Galeria Iluzji" is one of my favourites on this disc. It has such a powerful sound of drums, bass, vocals and scorching guitar. Some strange sounds towards the end of the song."Autoportret" opens with piano and reserved vocals. Drums come in as the vocals strengthen. Soaring guitar solos come and go. Synths come in late as the song ends with the sound of a gong. "Strefa Cienia" is an uptempo song with some raw sounding guitar. The bass lines are great as the vocals and synths follow.

"Ogrod Przoznaczenia" is my favourite track and I agree with my friend tszirmay that this is "achingly beautiful". Acoustic guitar,flute and synths create an especially beautiful melody 5 minutes in. Some crisp drumming earlier as well.The final song "W Krainie Szmaragdowego Jaszczura" opens with some ominous sounds.The drums and synths sound so good when this song is played loud. Vocals and flute follow as the song kicks in before 3 minutes.The vocals are strong and there is some ripping guitar 8 minutes in then check out the drumming !The final 3 bonus tracks are live versions of their songs. And "Galera Iluzji" sounds amazing ! Atmospheric sounding guitars really make this a standout track.

This is a quality release ! Excellent sound and playing by all. I much prefer their "Psychopuls" album though with that darker, heavier KING CRIMSON sound.

"W Galerii Czasu" ("In the Time Gallery") is the debut full-length studio album by Polish progressive rock act Lizard. The album was released through Ars Mundi in 1996. It´s a Polish language album, which may scare off some listeners, but those with an open mind who don´t understand Polish could find the Polish language lyrics a charming and exotic element.

The music features some characteristics which make it original even though you can hear Lizard´s influences more than once during the playing time. The keyboards are generally melodic and in addition to the typical chords keyboard player Andrzej Jancza, who is very skilled musician, adds some jazzy chords here and there which is one of the more unique elements on "W Galerii Czasu". There´s generally a big jazz-rock/fusion element present in the music and I hear the occasional nod towards an artist like Allan Holdsworth. This is first and foremost late 70s/early 80s influenced progressive rock though and if I have to mention one overshadowing influence on Lizard´s music it would be UK. The guitar plays some solid eclectic notes while the loud bass is a great asset to the band´s music. The drums are pretty technical in style and obviously fusion influenced. Damian Bydliñski is a skilled singer with a touch of John Wetton.

"Kazdy Dzien To Wiecej Ran W Twej Glowie" ("Every Day is More Frames in Your Head") opens the album and it´s an almost 10 minutes long track which features lots of different parts. "Galeria iluzji" ("Gallery of Illusions") continues the album and it´s one of the highlights of the album. It´s a song featuring some great guitar work/riffs. It´s not hard rock but more emotional and melodic playing. "Autoportret" ("Self-Portrait") is the next song and it´s the most hard rock/AOR oriented composition on the album. It´s only a tendency though and it never breaks into full hard rock.

"Strefa cienia" ("Shadow Zone") is up next and it´s a highly progressive song, which is probably the most challenging composition on the album. "Ogród przeznaczenia" ("Garden of Destiny") is a semi-ballad featuring a gloomy atmosphere created by some sombre keyboard playing. "W krainie szmaragdowego jaszczura" ("In the land of the emerald lizard") is the 15:42 minutes long closing epic of the album. It features a long instrumental intro but vocals are added a bit later in the song. It´s definitely one of the highlights of the album. The folky part is a nice touch showing the eclectic nature of Lizard´s music. That particular part of the song reminds me slighly of Swedish band Änglagård.

It´s not often as a non-Polish speaker that you get the chance (or give yourself the chance) to review a Polish language album, but in the case of "W Galerii Czasu" it was definitely worth it. "W Galerii Czasu" is through and through a high quality release. High level musicianship on all posts, clever and varied songwriting, and a clear, powerful, and well sounding production job. Lizard can rightly be proud of this debut album and a 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.

Lizard debuted in the world of prog rock with their opus "W Galerii Czasu", released in 1997 in a time when neo-prog seemed to be the dominant prog trend in Poland. The original quintet pretty much developed a kind of sound related to IQ and Pendragon, especially regarding the strong presence of stylish keyboard ornaments and solos all over the place - Andrzej Jancza's inputs are featured in the mix. Regarding compositional strategies, Lizard was really focused on the retro scheme, which truly helped them to state a more muscular line of work than those of compatriot bands Quidam or Collage. As much as he was the main wrtire from the very beginning, Damian Bydlinski's more recurrent role was behind the microphone. The album starts with 'Kazdy dzieñ to wiêcej ran w twej glowie', a track whose introductory cosmic synth layers serve as an appealing force. After the serene classical guitar interlude, the main motif emerges with an irresistible hook. The jazz-friendly cadences stated by the rhythm duo pretty much announce the kind of drive that will be further developed from the "Psychopuls" album onwards. Track 2 is also notably sustained on the melodic hooks, but thsi time the instrumental work is more meticulous, aptly developed on intrincate tempos, properly displayed through a wide timespan. It is 3 minutes shorter than the opener, but notoriously more complex. Like I said earlier in this review, Lizard started as a prog band aiming to explore the standards of neo as deep as going beyond the usual framework of the aforesaid subgenre. The ballad 'Autoportret' is indeed more akin to the style of "Safe"- era Collage. 'Strefa cienia' comprises some sonorities that combine psychedelia and hard rock, not unlike post-Signify Porcupine Tree. the keyboard adornments in the interlude make a hint at King Crimson's vintage intrumental 'Red', albeit not as oppressive. 'Ogród przeznaczenia' brings back teh melancholy of 'Autoportret', although it feels more introspective and less romantic. This is certainly one of the most brilliant prog ballads in the 90s, that strongly I feel about thsi song. the evocative chords on classical guitar, the effective string ensemble and clarinet sounds stated by the digital keyboards and the serene vocal deliveries by Bydlinski provide a bullet-proof sense of emotional vulnerability to this song. It has happened to me more than once that I listened to this song 2-3 times in a row before going to the next one. And now, let's go to the next one... The suite 'W krainie szmaragdowego jaszczura' closes down the album's official tracklist, retaking the shcemes and atmospheres of teh opener and 'Strefa cienia' to a large degree. the addition of soem folk-influenced melodic elements insert an interesting variation to the whole track's series of moods. The splendorous bolero that sets the last section is quite captivating. All in all, "W Galerii Czasu", while not reflecting entirely the musical power that Lizard will eventually show in teh 2000's, is an excellent example of the best melodic prog rock that Europe created in the 90s.

Although formed in Bielsko-Biala, Poland in 1990, Lizard escaped right from the start from the typical Neo Prog sound of the local bands.Singer Damian Bydlinski, guitarist Miroslaw Worek, keyboardist Andrzej Jancza, bassist/guitarist Janusz Tanistra and drummer Mariusz Szulakowski were the original members, who focused on recording the first demo tapes of Lizard and building a cult fame through live appearances.In 1996 the band came to the attention of the Polish label Ars Mundi and the same year they recorded their debut ''W galerii czasu'' (''In the gallery of time'') at the SL Studio in Gdansk, released in 1997.

When you take your name from a KING CRIMSON album, it's impossible not to include some hints of the British legends to your sound.But being a Prog Rock band, developing your style in Poland through the 90's, the Neo/Symphonic Prog vibes are almost impossible not to be part of your music.These two styles led Lizard to their debut, they tried to evoke the sound of COLLAGE or ANNALIST and pass it through a personal filter, which contained the darkness and complexity of KING CRIMSON's offerings.While not fully convincing or moreover cohesive, the result was definitely enganging and quite personal.Echoes of PINK FLOYD, MARILLION and KING CRIMSON are evident throughout the album.Plenty of atmospheric passages and intricate instrumental work, complemented by Bydlinski's theatrical vocals are main elements of Lizard's debut.The keyboard and piano parts are falling fairly into a more symphonic enviroment, but most of the guitar parts are complex and tricky with light jazzy influences and occasional breaks into heavier textures.The music generally is pretty dramatic and sinister with more romantic/atmospheric overtones in particular moments, as the band avoids approaching to melodious themes and prefers to offer rhythmic, dark or atmospheric variations.The long closer ''W krainie szmaragdowego jaszczura'' pretty much defines what Lizard were born to do.Experimental touches, mid-70's GENESIS and even SBB influences in the instrumental and vocal passages, nice and heavy guitar moves and an excellent closing theme, somewhere between PINK FLOYD and MARILLION, with evolving piano and synth lines and a growing guitar sound.

Metal Mind re-released the album in 2003 with some extra material from lives.An intricate mix of Polish Neo Prog and KING CRIMSON-esque Heavy Prog with both good and mediocre moments, but satisfying enough to earn a recommendation.