ONE

I was both surprised and pleased to see this band added to PA because I know them for several months now and was actually a bit frustrated because they were not on our site so I couldn't review this excellent album. First time I heard the album I was blown away really to here such a high talented band I never heard of before. That was on itself not strange because this is their only album so far and it's from last year so that explains. In fact I'm also surprised the teams decided to place them in the symphonic subgenre because this is more right in between prog metal and heavy prog with just some neo/symph leanings. Never mind, the most important thing is they are included now.

The album starts with a cracking opening song In this Life which is a proof of my statement about subgenres. This is extremely melodic prog with lots of heavy elements but also many quiet moments. These moments have that special feel that only Polish bands can produce it seems: piano, synthesizer and strings doing a great job here but also electric guitar and the other usual instruments are top of the bill. 4,5*.

Second short track is more of an interlude with a theme (acoustic guitar) that will keep coming back throughout the album. This time it's called Rain which is ambient when you listen. 3,75*.

Ready to Live is even much more prog metal than the opening song with prominent heavy guitar setting the tone for this second captivating song. It's amazing how naturally these guys succeed in combining the heavy stuff with quiet moments, sheer genius. Amazing guitar solo around 6:00 by the way. 4,75*.

Sunrise is the second interlude and is more of a song than Rain, though almost equally short. Lovely acoustic guitar. 4*.

Home is more of the huge level of first and third song, this time with keyboards in the front line. Another brilliant track with lots of variation, just slightly less than the other two. 4,25*

Farewell Tears is the 3rd short one, like I said all with the same recognizable little theme. Footsteps through pebbles accompany the track. 3,75*.

Nobody's Dream is the song where the band proves the other near masterpiece tracks were no coincidence. Beautiful piano opens the track followed by sensitive vocals. After two minutes the first terrific guitar solo sets in. Then the vocals return followed by an atmospheric key passage halfway. This seems like a small set back but in fact it's meant as build up for a grand finale of this song: several instruments alternate before the superb electric guitar rounds things of. Last four minutes of this masterpiece track are simply amazing. This one is probably the best of them all, even slightly better than Ready to Live. 4,75%.

Somewhere Between is the least of the longer songs ruining the last bit of chance for the maximal rating. But that's also because the rest is tremendous. Still there's some great acoustic guitar and piano to enjoy. It's more like the ballad of the album you might say. 3,5*.

So I already gave away my final rating there, it will have to be 4 stars although I was tempted to give 5 really. Therefore I wouldn't hesitate if I were you. If you like a superbly melodic band that made an album that is right in the middle of the 4 subgenres I mentioned (prog metal 40%, neo prog 25%, heavy prog 25% and symphonic prog 10%) I'd say go for this one. 4,5* is the right score.