Russian Prog!

eugene wrote: ivansfr0st wrote: Although not listed on this website(I may have to do something about it in the future though), I highly recommend Akvarium and Piknik, formed in early 80's and still active. Those are the two Russian groups that I listen to the most.  -- Ivan None of above bands has anything to do with prog. I like Aquarium though, but mainly due to poetry of Mr. Grebenschikov.

Are you sure that none of the bands listed above are prog???

I disagree:

1. HORIZONT's "Summer In Town" is a wonderful example of symphonic prog à la ELP with classical influences.
2. LITTLE TRAGEDIES's "Return" contains fantastic prog music, influenced by ELP, TRACE and THE ENID.
3. RAINY SEASON's "Return" has space-rock and electronic prog influences (PINK FLOYD and TANGERINE DREAM above all).
4. AZAZELLO and DECADENCE play an original prog metal in the same vein as DREAM THEATER.
5. EGO EIMI is the one-band performed by multinstrumental Alexander Skorobogatov. His style reminds to DEEP PURPLE, LED ZEPPELIN, PINK FLOYD and DREAM THEATER.

Don't forget ARSENAL - first Russian jazz rock band, led, from 1973 till now, by legendary sax player and composer Alexey Kozlov.

During their long career ARSENAL played music in many styles: fusion, rock, progressive rock, oriental music, traditional jazz, interpretations of Russian classic music, the list is endless.

Extra class musicians, probably the most important Russian prog band.

ivansfr0st wrote: Although not listed on this website(I may have to do something about it in the future though), I highly recommend Akvarium and Piknik, formed in early 80's and still active. Those are the two Russian groups that I listen to the most.  -- Ivan

None of above bands has anything to do with prog.

I like Aquarium though, but mainly due to poetry of Mr. Grebenschikov.

Although not listed on this website(I may have to do something about it in the future though), I highly recommend Akvarium and Piknik, formed in early 80's and still active. Those are the two Russian groups that I listen to the most.

 -- Ivan

dima_olkov wrote: I'm from Russia myself and I only know "Pesnyary" which is a Belarus band (not a Russian one)... what are the other bands?

I would not make separation between Russia/Belarus/Ukraine when concerning any form of art. Especially music, especially prog. All these three contries are of the same cultural origines in a first place, and long dark decades of communist regime just made everything possible to destroy any form of art uncontrolled by governement and political structures. Mainly due to politics and "Iron Curtain" situation we know precious little about prog music in these countries, and choice is quite limited. 

Big thank you to prog-jester for starting this thread, as it might be quite hgelpful to get to know more about progressive music on post-sovietic territories.

Avtograf - very good band playing classic art-rock, with obvious influences of Yes and Genesis

Azazello - prog-metal, technical and quite complex, would be very interesting band, but I just cannot stand their vocals. Everytime guy starts singing, I feel the urge to turn player off.

Combo - never heard about them

Decadence - heard only one track - absolutely wonderful symphonic prog; I am trying to find their album(s) for more than an year now but in vain.... 

Ego Eimi - never heard

Horizont - sheer brilliance, they play complex mixture of RIO and symphonic prog. I had one of two their albums on vinyl in eighties, it's got worn out due to non-stop listenings and now I just can't find it on CDs

Little Tragedies - heard only one track, which is quite good sympho, with lyrics by great Russian poet Nikolay Gumilev. MALS records are going to release three albums (including one double album) on CD, so in a couple of months time I shall be able to tell you more about them.

Masquerade - never heard

Mechanical Poet - metal - not to my likings whatsoever

NYL - quite nice Neo, but left me unimpressed

Pesniary - famous (this is only one really famous, well know band, on this list) folk group. They were doing quite well during Soviet Union times, and, franky, their music is great. Recommended to any lover of progressive folk.

Rainy season - never heard

Ros Vitalis & Tumulus - I have some mp3 of them but never really had a time to listen to it properly  

++++

Apart from above there are following progressive bands, but I cannot tell you much about them either:

Stykhia

Kostarev Group

Vermicelli orchestra

Romislukus

Disen Gage

Metropolis

Uncrossed

Agarta

+++++++++++

One very important band, which is missed from the list, is "Arsenal" with their famoust leader Mr. Alexei Kozlov, playing sax. Prominent jazz rock / fusion band - highly recommended.

I'm from Russia myself and I only know "Pesnyary" which is a Belarus band (not a Russian one)...

what are the other bands?

Hello Prog-jester.

I only know Little Tragedies (great blend of bombast mid-ELP keyboards and Russian folk, the vocals are outstanding) and Roz Vitalis (way too complex for me).