GROUP 309

Russian band THE GROUP 309 is the creative vehicle of composer and musician Andrey Pishchulov, initially conceived to give life and music to the poetry of writer Dashi Yashenko, which resulted in the debut album "Dreams of Sea" in 2010. "The Keeper of an Hourglass" is the second full-length recording by the band, released by the Russian label MALS Records in 2014.

The manner in which The Group 309 blends elements from vintage symphonic progressive rock, hard rock and atmospheric neo-progressive rock into a whole results in a likable and compelling production. Perhaps not the kind of album ardent fans of the more challenging aspects of progressive rock will be intrigued by, but those with an ear and a feel for accessible, melodic progressive rock should find the charms of this CD rather alluring, I'd surmise.

Second release of this little known prog act from Russia, issued in 2014 and named The keeper of an hourglass. Very pleasent and enjoyble album at the same level with predecessor, symphonic prog elements melted with folky parts, eclectic manuvres all well constructed and well played. The music is well structured, classically-influenced compositions, with nice arrangements and great keybords parts, and one hell of a great voice coming from Irina Surina who only is behind the mic on two pieces - The Confession Of A Witch and Tranquilly And Uneasily, the best pieces from here, absolutly great tunes, the rest are more then ok. To me this album is one of the best from russian prog in last years, and I think they need a far more recognition, they are more intresting then many bands with name from this field. Now, the cover art is excellent like the whole booklet of the cd, nice drawings, who gives a realy solid visual content. I'll give 4 stars for sure, very solid and intresting.

Inspired by the poems of Dasha Yashenko, keyboardist Andrey Pishchulov decided to dress them musically, forming Group 309 in 2007 along with guitarist Igor Inshakov, whom he had known since the mid-80's.It seems that the first line-up comprised also of Volodia Panaseiko on drums and Viktor Zhurik on bass, but the team eventually entering the studio to record the album ''Dreams of sea'' was Pishchulov and Inshakov along with Ruslan Dzhigkayty on drums and Nikita Simonov on bass.The album was released in 2010 on the Russian label MALS.

This was a great effort by the Russian group, propably the result could have been even better, if most listeners could understand the Russian lyrics, which by the way sound pretty good, but even without them the rehearsals of the quartet led to an energetic and passionate album with blinks to the past but also a very fresh sound.Their diversity reminds me a bit of compatriots THE GOURISHANKAR, but Group 309 sound much more Neo Proggy.The true power of this band comes from the contrast between vintage-styled Heavy Rock guitars and more Classical-flavored orientations on keyboards, even guitarist Igor Inshakov adds some sort of Neo-Classical inspiration in his solos.Despite the heavy lyrical content the album still contains some extended instrumental parts, passing from dense instrumentals to more atmospheric themes, always surrounded by Pishchulov's work on synths, organ and piano and the solid core on guitars, bass and drums.Lots of synth flashes and dynamic guitar solos lead to more lyrical parts, the atmosphere gets often very symphonic with orchestral keyboards, soon to take a trip to the past with the display of more angular guitar parts.Most melodies are excellent, the band shows a wide range in atmospheric textures with both dramatic and lighter moments and the result is a well-crafted work of modern Russian Prog.

A band to keep an eye on.Not an easy style to describe, it's complex and accesible at the same time with a discreet Neo Prog mood.No matter what it is, everything here is well-arranged and performed, so this one comes strongly recommended...3.5 stars.

As far as I know this is the only album by Group 309, a somewhat pleasant light prog band from Russia. I say light prog because nine of the eleven songs are primarily power ballads, with only bare traces of true progressive rock.

But the other two songs are more impressive. What Are You Waiting For is the lesser of these two songs. But it is a fairly strong piece with unusual time signatures and a compelling structure. The Overture is the strongest song on the album. With heavy keyboards with some fine effects, this song reminds me a bit of some of the better moments from Spock's Beard's "V" album. This song alone makes the album worth owning.

Don't be fooled by the english song titles. The album is sung in Russian. But Andrey Pishchulov's voce is smooth enough that it should make no difference, unless you need to understand what he is singing.

Group 309 is a young progressive rock band from Russia, releasing in novemeber 2010 their first album named Dreams of sea, on russian label Mals , but also available on Musea records. Very pleasent and enjoyble album, symphonic prog well constructed and well played.The main composer is the keybordist Andrey Pishchulov who also delivers the vocal parts, who are very pleasent, warm voice, even is sung in russian language. The music is well structured, classically-influenced compositions, with nice arrangements and great keybords parts. Another good point in this debute album is the guitar of lIgor Inshakov, who sounds very solid and intristing in same time. Sometimes Group 3009 remind me of another russian legendary band Autograph,, or in places with czech Synkopy. I was really pleasent surprise listning to this album, good compositions, even are not very complex, but for sure well performed. I also like that the band sung in russian, it gives a certain great atmosphere overall. All pieces stands as good towards great, not a weak moment here for sure, The overture for ex is a great instrumental track that shows this band means bussines in prog rock from today, great. Now, the cover art is excellent like the whole booklet of the cd, nice drawings, who gives a realy solid visual content. 4 stars for Dreams of sea, nice work from this russian band, who needs a wider recognition in prog circles even the album is fresh and the band is still young. Some bands will not have the impact to public that they desearve but with a help from us maybe they will climb on higher levels, a place where many of them need to be.

The idea behind the Russian project GROUP 309 was conceived in 2007, when composer Pishchulov discovered the poetry of writer Dasha Yashenko and desired to give it a fitting musical representation. Musicians sharing his musical vision were assembled and songs created. In March 2009 the project was ready to be realized, and in 2010 it was finalized as the Russian label MALS Records decided to release the album.

Those who prefer their art rock to be of a gentle, melodic nature featuring nods in the direction of pop music will most likely find the symphonic-inspired material explored on Group 309's debut effort "Dreams of Sea" to be of interest. There's a distinct emphasis on harmonic melodies and gentle moods that might alienate those accustomed to and desiring music of a more adventurous nature in general, and the all-Russian lead vocals might limit the commercial potential somewhat too. Other than that, this is a fine release of its kind.