ABRAXAS

One of the most dynamic and interesting neo-prog bands to come out of the Polish scene, ABRAXAS was also one of the earliest predating the sweep of bands that emerged in the 1990s. Formed in Bydgoszcz in 1987, ABRAXAS didn't take its name from the classic Santana album as many may think but rather from the actual mystical term from the system of the Gnostic Basilides. Roughly referring to the dualism of good and evil forces penetrating each other, founding members Adam Łassa (vocals) and Łukasz Święch (guitar) deemed the term quite appropriate for their strange musical compositions that offered alternating mood swings, sudden rhythm changes and unorthodox arrangements.

After many years and a few lineup changes, ABRAXAS may have been one of the earliest Polish neo-prog bands to form but would require a lengthy nine years before its self-titled debut finally emerged in 1996. By this time only vocalist Adam Łassa remained and after recruiting guitarist Szymon Brzeziński, keyboardist / flautist Marcin Blaszczyk, bassist Rafał Ratajczak and drummer Marcin Mak, the new ABRAXAS was ready for business and delivered an impressive debut that sounded like no other. Apparently this album was released eponymously first in 1996 and then in 2000 re-released with the cumbersome Polish language title ...CYKL OBRACA SIę, NARODZINY, DZIECIńSTWO PEłNE DUSZY, UśMIECHÓW NIEWINNYCH I ZDRADY? which translates to "The Cycle Rotates, Birth, Childhood Full Of Soul, Innocent Smiles And Betrayal." I'll just refer to it as the debut :)

The band's debut is an explosive powerhouse of neo-tinged progressive rock with the dramatic theatrical flair of Fish-era Marillion and the dynamism of classic 70s prog acts like Van Der Graaf Generator. The many years of practicing, touring and juggling band members apparently hardened Łassa to assemble a team of seasoned professional delivering highly energetic and shape shifting arrangements that offered the best of neo-prog and beyond brought to a higher level of competency with Łassa's charismatic vocal style with keyboardist Marcin Błaszczyk showcasing a level of virtuosity that ranks up there in the Keith Emerson or Rick Wakeman halls of fame. Although the lyrics are completely sung in the Polish language, apparently there are a bit controversial showcasing the feistiness and punk attitude of ABRAXAS which emerged in the late 80s when the punk scene had caught up to Eastern Europe.

The band's debut album is simply amazing in how it sweeps you off your feet instantly with the first feisty notes of "Before" and makes you those stray leaves on the album cover, whisks you up into the musical flow and never allows you to get off the ABRAXAS express for its hour-long run. After an energetic introduction the music suddenly becomes sombre and ambient which leads up to the intricately designed track "Tarot" which showcases all the band's eccentricities and bizarre compositional liberties. The album truly takes you to another world and one you find yourself content to emerge yourself well within. Sounding as bizarre as Mr Doctor from Devil Doll only in a theatrical Fish styled way, Łassa immediately stands out from pretty much anyone else our there and while the music can be shocking and startling is mostly carried through by beautiful neo-prog melodic processions that offer the usual bass, guitar and keyboard approach.

By the 90s Poland was ready for the prog revival and ABRAXAS was perched to deliver the goods. Not only were they competent musicians beyond measure and had the stage presence of a world class act but the unorthodox composiitons set them apart from the copycats of Western bands still grasping for their own voice. This led to sharing the stage with such acts as Fish, Porcupine Tree and Robert Plant with Jimmy Page. A unique mix of neo-prog, various strains of progressive rock and even a bit of traditional Polish folk music under the surface, ABRAXAS delivered a bonafide masterpiece on this exemplary debut and one that captures the very essence of what a well oiled neo-prog machine is supposed to sound like without sounding derivative of its influences. Utterly brilliant and even the two bonus tracks on the 2000 remaster are phenomenal!

I am here reviewing the original language version of this 1998 release--thus, with the vocals performed in the band's native Polish.

1. "Spiritus Flat Ubi Vult" (3:27) vocal acrobatics similar to BILL NELSON (Be Bop Deluxe) or HANS HÖLZEL (Falco) with nearly quirky musical support. (Very similar to that of .) I like this. A LOT! Definitely a top three song for me. (9.33/10)

2. "Michel De Nostredame-Mistrz Z Salon" (6:47) theatric prog cabaret of the AFTER CRYING sort. Nice array of instruments. Impressive instrumental skills in the "race" section (sixth minute), but not a very cohesive song. (13/15)

3. "Velvet" (4:07) a variation on BLUE ÖYSTER CULT's "I Love the Night" music. Pretty. Sensitivity contrasted by pounded snare hits. (8.67/10)

4. "Excalibur" (7:44) I love the chamber feel to the first two minutes of this but it's a bit slow and plodding. Thank goodness for the ramped up second section. Nice bass play. The vocals, however, lack melody and feel pitchy. The presence of the oboe and the excellent flute play are my favorites. Then, about halfway through, the song settles into a quiet, pastoral passage with picked acoustic guitars and synth washes backing the delicately sung vocals. Excellent! The slow build beneath the flute is cool, as is the full attack in the final 90 seconds. Great "distant cathedral organ" solo to finish! (13.25/15)

5. "Kuznia" (1:49) perhaps a little active warmup/intro for the next song; perhaps simply a wild FALCO/LIZARD-like interlude to unwind with. (4.5/5)

6. "Czakramy" (10:25) opens with a gorgeous soundscape established by picked electric guitar chords, interesting synths, bass, and delicate vocal. About a minute in drums join in and chords of the gorgeous progression become more fully embellished while Adam sings in full rock voice. Electric guitar power chords join in for the first chorus. Back to the fully electrified but beautifully spacious 80s-sounding chord progression for the next verse and then another foray into the cheesy hairband chorus. Halfway through we stop and reset with some windy "outdoor" synth cacophony for about a minute before interesting drum pattern slowly emerges from the background to lead the next section. This is great! So creative! Now Adam sings with a gruffer aggression before (sadly) abandoning it for a mini-chorus. Wild synth solo in the eighth minute! Use that portamento! Slide those notes! Topped off by a perfect ending! Another top three song. (18.25/20)

7. "Pokuszenie" (12:00) industrial metal sounds are arpeggiated over which woman is singing as if to herself until one minute in the full rock band joins in with some bombast before settling back to support Adam's reverbed vocal. It still feels as if the song is not fully formed. And then, four minutes in, we quiet down to a cave-like soundscape within which Adam whispers against stalactite drips until the 5:10 mark when guitars and IQ-like pulsing support rush in--the lead guitar ripping through a sabre-sharp solo--before settling back into a heavy, though plodding section. A sparse, computer-piano supported vocal section then follows, emptying out into a smooth passage with first one and then two guitars soloing together. Excellent! Melodic, emotional, and nicely extended. Interesting and unexpectedly unpredictable enhanced by the entertaining guitar soli over the final two or three minutes. My final top three song. (22.5/25)

8. "Nantalomba" (4:21) orchestral synths, organ, and cymbals open this one. Oboe and acoustic nylon string guitar join in giving it a gentle, pastoral feel. Tympani and arpeggiated keys with power chord guitars jump in at the 1:30 mark. Adam joins in after the two minute mark with chant-like vocals giving it a more ADIEMUS/CIRQUE DU SOLEIL feel to it. Feels like filler more than essential content. (8.5/10)

Total time 50:40

A most excellent addition to any prog lover's music collection.

The debut release from a Polish band whose lineup had been through nine years of evolution including several breakups. All of that time, I think, must have steeled their resolve and polished their vision and chops as the songs and production of this album are quite mature and sophisticated.

1. "Before" (1:49) a hard-drivin' rockin' out intro as if Keith Emerson had put together a 80s prog-pop ensemble. (4.25/5)

2. "Tarot" (8:30) bleeds over from the previous song with an ominously sustained low synth note/chord. Incidental guitar, keyboard, bass, flute, cymbal, and even spoken word and "taped" singing line flourishes flit in and out of the soundscape for almost three minutes until bass, drums and guitar(s) break into a pulsing, swinging rock base over which synths, guitar, and vocals take turns. Very dramatic vocal theatrics come from the singer's performance reminding me a lot of Austrian singer Johan Hölzel's performances as FALCO. It's entertaining but also far too central and dominating to the song relegating the musical accompaniment to restrained simplicity. Drum flourishes, Spanish and electric guitar flourishes pepper the music but really it's Adam Łassa's show. (17.5/20)

3. "Dorian Gray" (5:55) A solid atmospheric heavy prog song with a story and great sound production. Though one might have predicted it (based upon the subject matter as indicated in the title), Adam's vocal performance here is far less theatric than the previous song--which gives the instruments more room to shine. Unfortunately, they don't take full advantage of this opportunity. A bit of a VDGG/BABYLON feel to the mid-section, but then things turn more toward the realm of hair band 1980s metal. (8.25/10)

4. "Kameleon" (4:30) more solid heavy rock-prog with interesting subtleties as value added items. Again, Adam's vocal performance is more hard rock--with background vocal support in the second half. Again, the band's mature restraint is noticeable--especially for a supposed "debut" album. (8.5/10)

5. "Alhambra" (8:25) Spanish guitar with deep organ pedals open this one before flute and synths join in. Then, at 1:25 the full band joins in setting up a nice soundscape for Adam to sing over. There is a little FALCO-ADAM ANT-like delivery of the lyrics during the fair-like music of the fourth minute, then everything turns classical both in terms of instrumentation choices and structure. Even Adam's singing is more classical like, feeling wholly like a AFTER CRYING song and performance. The final two minutes have Adam singing in his insistent voice over a return to a more proggy sound palette--though the fade out is purely classical with piano and flute. Nice musicianship on display, but the song is missing . . . something. One of my three favorite songs on the album. (17.75/20)

6. "Inferno" (5:12) by this point the minimally complex instrumental structures and sound palettes are becoming too uniform and monotonous. Even the pacing seems too homogenous. Though Adam's theatrical performances put him into the same group as Peter Gabriel, Peter Hammill, Nina Hagen, Dorrocus, Fish, and Falco, even these become a little tedious for their repetitiousness due to the language barrier. (8.25/10)

7. "Ajudah" (9:07) opens with some delicately played arpeggiated chords from keyboard and guitar before Adam enters to sing. Again, the music is solid but Adam's performance suffers from my inability to understand what he's singing about. Some very Genesis-like sounds and structures peak through here and there but overall this kind of sound foreshadows the heavier prog of many bands to come. (17.5/20)

8. "De Profundis" (4:56) I love the classical instrumentation and sounds used within the weave of this song. The band members all seem to be on full display and Adam's storytelling fits perfectly into the weave. A top three song for me. (9/10)

9. "Tabula Rasa" (11:15) opens again sounding like every other song on the album despite the prominence of the chunky bass, flute and Spanish guitar soloing in the opening section. Adam enters, singing more forcefully than usual, and the music soon comes to match his aggressiveness. An extended synth solo (the album's first and only!) in the first instrumental section after the first verse might give some indication of why there aren't more of these: he's not very good (as a soloist)! Come to think of it, neither is the electric guitarist (taking the solo after the second verse and chorus). The bass player and drummer might be the best things behind Adam--though, to be fair, all of the instrumentalists do a rock solid job of creating great soundscapes over which Adam is able to perform. Better guitar solo the second time around?more of a STEVE HACKETT approach than heavy metal. The Spanish guitar solo in the seventh minute?later joined by lilting flute?is wonderful--almost "I Talk to the Wind"-ish. The reemergence of the heavy "tabula rasa" chorus to break up the delicate instrumental solo section is brilliant--as is Adam's successive highly Teutonic vocal section. My final top three song. (18/20)

Total Time: 59:39

I don't mind the lyrics to be in Polish--especially when you have as good a singer as Adam Łassa delivering them. The instrumentalists feel so very competent yet I am surprised at how seldom they solo--or, rather, how seldom their solos flash or wow. Again, it seems obvious from this album that Adam is the front piece and everything and everyone else takes a back seat to not step on the singer's toes.

B+/4.5 stars; a solid addition to prog world and a remarkable Neo Prog debut.

With already a fantastic album out and a steady line-up, the doors of success had opened for Abraxas, even if the Progressive Rock scene was just a small part of the whole music map.The group, besides their own concerts, played live next to important names such as Arena, Fish, Porcupine Tree, Colin Bass and Robert Plant/Jimmy Page.In search of a better distribution Abraxas also changed label, moving from Ars Mundi to Metal Mind, on which they released their second album ''Centurie'' in 1998.

Ok, it would have been a miracle if the band could top the masterful moments of their debut or even released an equal material, still ''Centurie'' is a great album, among the very good releases of 90's Polish Prog.Exploring the territories of extreme lyrical and passionate Neo Prog, ''Centurie'' is another nice offering by Abraxas, moving from sensitive pieces to more bombastic and dynamic moments, always supplied by great keyboard parts, electrifying solos and a nice dose of acoustic soundscapes, which have a very romantic sound.Even in these later cuts the unique vocals of Lassa and the ethereal keyboard parts make them far from syrupy and pale ballads.The rest of the material comes in a familiar Abraxas style.Majestic passages with grandiose synthesizers, delicate piano interludes and thrilling electric guitars, always supported by Lassa's personal singing approach.The longer ones contain nice variations with plenty of more symphonic vibes, excellent heavy riffs, haunting keyboards and of course nice shifting moods between laid-back passages and pounding instrumental work with a dramatic atmosphere.There is still something missing to reach the ultimate inspiration of ''Abraxas'', but the good moments in ''Centurie'' are more than enough.

The next year the album was released in its English version, containing also a cover on King Crimson's ''In the court of the Crimson King''.Preferably stick with the original Polish version, which has its own charm.Nevertheless, this is very good, atmospheric and well-executed Neo Prog with plenty of conveincing material.Strongly recommended...3,5 stars.

Abraxas certainly don't embarrass themselves with this swansong album which takes a rather harder and heavier approach to neo-prog than their previous albums - or, indeed, most other neo-prog acts at the time. Darker and murkier than the preceding two albums, 99's comparatively brief compositions (by prog standards) flow past almost without the listener noticing, immersing you in a mysterious netherworld of the band's creation at their best but unfortunately being a little forgettable at their worst.

Adam Łassa's vocal performance doesn't seem quite as compelling or immediate as on the previous albums, and some may question some aspects of the production (I think it's intentionally murky but I admit that it could just be murky), but aside from that the band's high standards are upheld throughout. Abraxas may not have have a particularly long and prolific career, but I think any band could look back on a back catalogue such as theirs with pride - they really never made an album which wasn't at least worth a listen. At the same time, I don't think they ever quite matched their excellent debut album.

Abraxas followed up their classic debut with another good album which doesn't bowl me over the same way its brilliant predecessor did but still provides a strong platter of delicious neo- prog treats. Though I found the outro to the concluding Nantalomba a little cheesy, by and large the compositions and atmosphere are superbly judged, and Adam Łassa once again gives an excellent vocal performance - there's a point where his vocals start getting all hot and bothered and I could have sworn I was listening to a Polish Jarvis Cocker. It isn't the wonderful exploration of the frontiers of neo-prog that the debut was, but Abraxas retain a strong claim to their territory with this one.

The epitaph from this sadly split up Polish neo-prog band.

And a live album it is too. A seventy-eight minutes long album which takes the CD format to the absolute limits of how much you can put on a disc.

The music is neo-prog with male vocals, keyboards, guitars, bass and drums. There are some guest female vocals here too. The music is lush, a bit hard and a bit symphonic. Those who likes Satellite and Collage will find themselves in familiar territory here. Abraxas was very much the pioneer in the Polish neo prog scene and a lot of bands has followed in their path.

Quality wise, this live album is very good. I am not a big fan of this band, but I like a lot of the music here. Some songs here are not that great though. But I am overall pretty impressed by this very good album. But it is more an album for the neo-prog fans than an allrounder like myself.

3.5 stars

An uber-smart band outsmarts themselves.

Abraxas returned with their final album in 1999 and named it 99. And that is all I know about them. This and that they have split up and are legends in the Polish prog scene.

I do not know their other albums. But I know their sound. A crispy clean sound with some hints of the 1980s, a very good vocalist a lot of Dream Theater chugging guitars and a lot of synths. That's the Polish sound from that time. A recipe other bands followed too and Poland got their own neo-prog sound. A very smart sound. Abraxas has added some female vocals to their sound too.

The songs here are good. Good and that's it really it. The songs is cleverly put together and this album is really faultless. Faultless and pretty dull. This album is lacking teeth and some really great songs. Fifty-three minutes comes and goes. I let this album run the required spins and I am still not taken by it. But I find nothing that offends me either so the character is given.

3 stars

ABRAXAS are a Neo-Prog band out of Poland who up until this album have failed to really click with me. Even this one I would rate as a low 4 star album, but there is enough here that makes this an enjoyable listen.This is basically the English version of their "Centurie" album. I must admit getting a real kick out of the bonus track which is a cover of KING CRIMSON's "The Court Of The Crimson King". Even if the vocals are with an accent that is such a majestic track.

"Spiritus Flat Ubi Vult" has an interesting intro with reserved but theatrical vocals along with a beat and synths. It's fuller 1 1/2 minutes in.Excellent sound here. Some fat bass too. I really like the vocals. "Michel De Nostre Dame-Mistrz Z Salon" opens with organ as synths, acoustic guitar and drums join in quickly then vocals. It gets fuller then settles back as contrasts continue. It kicks into an uptempo melody before 5 minutes then settles right down before 6 1/2 minutes to end it. "Velvet" is mellow with fragile vocals then it gets fuller with aboe joining in as well as bass. It settles right back with vocals. "Excalibur" opens with keyboards and reserved vocals. Aboe follows. It picks up 2 minutes in with some nice guitar to follow. Flute 3 1/2 minutes in then it settles with atmosphere and reserved vocals after 4 minutes. Flute too. It kicks in heavily after 6 1/2 minutes .Nice.

"Kuznia" is a short piece that is beat driven and vocals come in around a minute. "Czakramy" opens with gentle guitar and synths as reserved vocals join in.Some vocal melodies follow then the vocals return. It gets fuller after 2 minutes then settles back as contrasts continue. Some beautiful stuff here. It builds to a heavy sound late and I like the vocal expressions too. "Pokuszenie" kicks in beautifully before 1 1/2 minutes then settles back quickly with vocals. Flute after 3 minutes. A calm with whispered words before 5 minutes. It then kicks in heavily with guitar. It settles again and check out the soaring guitar that goes on and on. "Nantalomba" opens with synths and atmosphere. Aboe joins in then acoustic guitar. It's fuller 1 1/2 minutes in and vocals follow. Lots of atmosphere late.

Barely 4 stars but I wouldn't feel right giving it 3 stars so...

"Cycl" - which apparently isn't actually the album's title (this was meant to be a self-titled album but everyone thought an extract of the lyrics printed on an early version of the cover was the album title) - is the debut album by Abraxas, and the opening instrumental "Before" presents a style that isn't too far from the more complex bits of the first Jadis album, or maybe IQ in their more light-hearted and whimsical moods (such as the opening instrumental from their demo, Seven Stories Into Eight). The next track, "Tarot", abruptly slows down the pace and darkens the mood, with brooding synthesisers creating an air of menace before guitar and drums kick in and whispered vocals deliver... something in Polish which I'm afraid I don't understand, but it seems pretty spooky whatever it is. When the track kicks into high gear I hear all sorts of influences - a shot of Middle Eastern folk, a fair slice of Marillion, and again a big slab of IQ, but Abraxas do a good job of carving out their own particular flavour of neo-prog.

Vocalist Adam Lassa helps a lot with his unique delivery, which is somewhere between an even more deranged Peter Hammill and a much less harsh and grating version of Mr Doctor (vocalist with Devil Doll), but everyone in the band contributes to this - just listen to Szymon Brzezinski's use of acoustic guitar in "Tarot", a little touch which isn't quite what you'd expect from any of their influences, and is well beyond most neo-prog Marillionalikes. And Marcin Blaszczyk's use of keyboards and flute in "Dorian Grey" are absolutely key to the atmosphere. And that's what Abraxas understand - the very best neo-prog albums out there might not be the most technically complex products of the prog scene, but what they sometimes lack in complexity they more than make up for in *atmosphere* and establishing a particular mood. It's true of Script for a Jester's Tear, it's true of The Wake, and it's true of Abraxas's debut.