SURREVIVAL

It's quite rare actually taht any neo-prog band starts its album with a relatively long ambient soundscapes like 'Airing' which consumes more than 2 minutes duration. But it's worth listening as the next seamlessly connected song 'Hands off' (9:25) blasts off beautifully like any progressive metal band. Progressive metal? Yeah ...it's quite clear right in the beginning that the heavy riffs sound like a progressive metal music. But when the vocal is about to enter, the music tunes down dramatically where the new vocalist, Bartek Kossowicz, performs his duty. He sings nicely with great British style. The flute-work creates great musical textures, the keyboard solo is really stunning. I think this is really an excellent neo-prog (heavy side) song.

'Not so close' (6:22) opening with acoustic guitar and distant voice vocal reminds me to the kind of Porcupine Tree music. The rhythm section comprising bass guitar and drums make the music sound wonderfully, especially with its excellent sonic quality of the CD - thanks to the sound engineer! On the basis of composition, this track is actually lacking on catchy melody. However, if you re-orient your mind from expecting a song-based music to composition-based music I think you would agree with me this track contains excellent musical textures. there are parts with guitar riffs that really remind me to Porcupine Tree.

The opening bassline part of 'The fifth season' (9:45) reminds me to Yes' 'Onward' (Tormato album) even though it's different when the vocal line enters the music. The music flows in mellow style with changing music style especially when the flutework enters the music at approx 6:30. It's cool. The title track 'SurREvival' (5:13) is a medium tempo music in poppy style, has an excellent groove and flutework combined with nice guitar. 'Queen of Moulin Rouge' (8:24) flows in mellow style with nice flute at the beginning of the song. The concluding track 'Everything's ended' (13:14) has jazzy elements and Marillion's Marbles' music style.

Overall, this is a very good album with solid composition. For those of you who like flute in prog music, this is one of the albums that you should enjoy. Keep on proggin' ...!!!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW