DREAMS OF SEA

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.