Russian Prog Appreciation Thread

I played it yesterday, very exciting but at some moments for me too experimental. Nonetheless, this is great new prog

I've been listening to Lost World's "Awakening of the Elements" quite a bit lately. I've not heard their earlier albums, but this one is all instrumental. According to their website, fans began to beg them to not sing -- and they obliged with AotE. Great stuff, with flute and violin; very high energy music. I'm reminded of Helmet of Gnats, but cranked up a few notches.

Prog-jester wrote: Excellent album, even a bit TOO excellent hence cold. But I like it!

I think I know what you mean, by cold. There's music that speaks to my heart and some that speaks to my head. What I mean by that is that some music makes an immediate core connection in the area of emotion. Debussy's Claire de Lune, for instance is one that speaks to my soul. I am always moved when I hear it. There is some prog that I can appreciate on an intellectual level that doesn't move me emotionally.

"Awakening of the Elements" engages me on both levels, though, certainly more as mind music. Is that what you mean?

i haven't heard too much russian prog but i recently discovered mechanical poet and i'm really enjoying them.

^Prog-jester, i have 4 albums from  bands from Russia/Ukraine now, Little Tragedies - Sixth sense,Lost world-Awakening of the elements, Infront-Wordless and Karfagen-continium. Didn't like LT (not too good vocals and a bit static) and Lost world (too much high energy drinks) too much. Infront and Karfagen are very different from each other but both very good. What's the next russia sphere album i need to pick up you think?

I've a feeling the real P-J might agree .

Apple Pie is good but not exciting 

For me Disen Gage and The Gourishankar are the surprising russian bands ...

Dirk wrote: I've a feeling the real P-J might agree .

...and here he comes now

First of all, I've listened both to AVIVA and new KARFAGEN, and still have mixed feelings about them (more information coming soon ).

On Russian Prog recommendations - I have to agree about THE GOURISHANKAR first, as it's still the best Prog CD from 2007 I faced with!!! A mixture of Modern Prog and Symphonic Art, very varied and challenging! Sure you won't regret! BTW, guys plan to issue "2nd Hands" in Russia/post-USSR area in budget edition for their own money! It's a huge finance breakdown for them actually, but I appreciate their wish to make their music more avalaible. I guess I'll pick A COUPLE of their CDs as soon as find them as presents for friends

On APPLE PIE - I agree with Erik, this is when "SPOCK'S BEARD's clone" (as someone unattentive might say) turns to be more original and challenging band than their "prototype". Very melodic and sometimes even AORish, they're less intriguing and eclectic than THE GOURISHANKAR, but everything's on its right place - they're great band in their own way, and I'm impatiently waiting for another release from them!

Dirk wrote: ^Prog-jester, i have 4 albums from  bands from Russia/Ukraine now, Little Tragedies - Sixth sense,Lost world-Awakening of the elements, Infront-Wordless and Karfagen-continium. Didn't like LT (not too good vocals and a bit static) and Lost world (too much high energy drinks) too much. Infront and Karfagen are very different from each other but both very good. What's the next russia sphere album i need to pick up you think?

I am listening to Apple Pie now - it's so unoriginal it's not even funny - plain ridiculous.