...CYKL OBRACA SIę, NARODZINY, DZIECIńSTWO PEłNE DUSZY, UśMIECHÓW NIEWINNYCH I ZDRADY...

One of the most dynamic and interesting neo-prog bands to come out of the Polish scene, ABRAXAS was also one of the earliest predating the sweep of bands that emerged in the 1990s. Formed in Bydgoszcz in 1987, ABRAXAS didn't take its name from the classic Santana album as many may think but rather from the actual mystical term from the system of the Gnostic Basilides. Roughly referring to the dualism of good and evil forces penetrating each other, founding members Adam Łassa (vocals) and Łukasz Święch (guitar) deemed the term quite appropriate for their strange musical compositions that offered alternating mood swings, sudden rhythm changes and unorthodox arrangements.

After many years and a few lineup changes, ABRAXAS may have been one of the earliest Polish neo-prog bands to form but would require a lengthy nine years before its self-titled debut finally emerged in 1996. By this time only vocalist Adam Łassa remained and after recruiting guitarist Szymon Brzeziński, keyboardist / flautist Marcin Blaszczyk, bassist Rafał Ratajczak and drummer Marcin Mak, the new ABRAXAS was ready for business and delivered an impressive debut that sounded like no other. Apparently this album was released eponymously first in 1996 and then in 2000 re-released with the cumbersome Polish language title ...CYKL OBRACA SIę, NARODZINY, DZIECIńSTWO PEłNE DUSZY, UśMIECHÓW NIEWINNYCH I ZDRADY? which translates to "The Cycle Rotates, Birth, Childhood Full Of Soul, Innocent Smiles And Betrayal." I'll just refer to it as the debut :)

The band's debut is an explosive powerhouse of neo-tinged progressive rock with the dramatic theatrical flair of Fish-era Marillion and the dynamism of classic 70s prog acts like Van Der Graaf Generator. The many years of practicing, touring and juggling band members apparently hardened Łassa to assemble a team of seasoned professional delivering highly energetic and shape shifting arrangements that offered the best of neo-prog and beyond brought to a higher level of competency with Łassa's charismatic vocal style with keyboardist Marcin Błaszczyk showcasing a level of virtuosity that ranks up there in the Keith Emerson or Rick Wakeman halls of fame. Although the lyrics are completely sung in the Polish language, apparently there are a bit controversial showcasing the feistiness and punk attitude of ABRAXAS which emerged in the late 80s when the punk scene had caught up to Eastern Europe.

The band's debut album is simply amazing in how it sweeps you off your feet instantly with the first feisty notes of "Before" and makes you those stray leaves on the album cover, whisks you up into the musical flow and never allows you to get off the ABRAXAS express for its hour-long run. After an energetic introduction the music suddenly becomes sombre and ambient which leads up to the intricately designed track "Tarot" which showcases all the band's eccentricities and bizarre compositional liberties. The album truly takes you to another world and one you find yourself content to emerge yourself well within. Sounding as bizarre as Mr Doctor from Devil Doll only in a theatrical Fish styled way, Łassa immediately stands out from pretty much anyone else our there and while the music can be shocking and startling is mostly carried through by beautiful neo-prog melodic processions that offer the usual bass, guitar and keyboard approach.

By the 90s Poland was ready for the prog revival and ABRAXAS was perched to deliver the goods. Not only were they competent musicians beyond measure and had the stage presence of a world class act but the unorthodox composiitons set them apart from the copycats of Western bands still grasping for their own voice. This led to sharing the stage with such acts as Fish, Porcupine Tree and Robert Plant with Jimmy Page. A unique mix of neo-prog, various strains of progressive rock and even a bit of traditional Polish folk music under the surface, ABRAXAS delivered a bonafide masterpiece on this exemplary debut and one that captures the very essence of what a well oiled neo-prog machine is supposed to sound like without sounding derivative of its influences. Utterly brilliant and even the two bonus tracks on the 2000 remaster are phenomenal!