THE KEEPER OF AN HOURGLASS

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.