PASSAGE TO THE FOREST OF MYSTERIOUS

What i do really like in a recent Antonys releases is the quality and "saturation" of the sound and production! It seems like it`s getting better all the time. I was so dissapointed with Rick Wakemans latest release (don`t get me wrong - i`m not comparing music here - just the production) where the sound of drums and the whole band is so "narrow" and sometimes even "plastic"... I feel the same with the latest Jethro Tull release "RokFlote", i`m not the one who dares to speak about "prog by numbers" - there are plenty of "proffesionals" who nows this rules and scales much better than me, now i`m speaking about the "wall" of sound the classy production that even some Prog giants are missing. "Passage to the Forest of Mysterious" has this catchy lush atmosphere. Both acoustic "Spektra" style pieces and fabulous epic tracks brings this feeling of a FLOW. (by the way - may i recommend you Roine Stolts solo album "Hydrophonia" - fantastic instrumental symphonic rock journey from the times when it was a good trend to write proper melodies and not just dive into the music for musicians). I do hope this latest Karfagen release will be avilable as a Vinyl LP. Sunchild LP "Exotic Creatures" is on its way (it`s a limited to 300 copies edition that can be pre-ordered from Antonys bandcamp page). Passage to the Forest comes in a lovely 2 cds Digipack limited edition with "Birds" as a bonus album - great release! Highly recommended to ALL prog fans!

Karfagen's 15th full length effort, Passage to the Forest of Mysterious, is another engaging effort from Antony Kalugin and his collaborators that is a fine addition to his catalogue. It is fascinating to see how this project continues to draw from its past efforts and yet continues to evolve as it goes along. Indeed, it appears that this collection, while having its own flavor, is part three of a trilogy of albums, the other two being 'Birds of Passage', and 'Birds' which was co-released with this one. This being the case, if you are familiar with the previous two releases, you will find laced throughout that this one draws from some of their musical and lyrical themes, but on a somewhat limited basis. The overlap is enough to link the three efforts together, but builds off of them with enough variation and variety so as to not become repetitive.

Karfagen of course, tends to be Antony's vehicle for some of his more symphonic and instrumentally focused works, but this one seems to have more lyrical content than many, which suits my preferences very well. Just the same, for those that enjoy his more instrumental efforts, there are plenty of lengthy stretches of wordless musical exploration here. Unlike some of his recent efforts such as 'Exotic Creatures and Stolen Dreams' under his Sunchild projects moniker, where he has shared the vocals with the ladies to a very dynamic effect, Antony here handles all the vocals. While he does a nice job in this, it was a just a bit of a disappointment to not have that extra dimension. Still, a minor matter for sure as Antony shows a surprisingly wide and emotive range of vocal stylings on the different tracks.

The album is built primarily around two larger pieces, 14 and 19 minutes long respectively, and these are surrounded by shorter pieces in the 4 minute range or less. The smaller pieces however, don't feel fragmented or undeveloped because they thematically and musically feel like preludes or extensions of the longer pieces, both of which are stylistically broken into smaller sections themselves. Although not an outright concept album, this gives the album a nice cohesiveness and continuity that strongly makes it feel like one. The album I am reviewing has 7 tracks running a total of 49 minutes, although there appears to be an 8th track on some releases. It is my understanding that it is a shortened version of one of the two longer tracks and doesn't add anything significantly different to the shorter album version. In any event, this overall album length is quite comfortable and accessible, not overstaying its welcome, and encouraging repeated plays

As is typical with Karfagen projects, the album cover art work is quite attractive, and dare we say, 'mysterious' as this word comes up in a number of the track titles. It is certainly the type of art work that might well move me to take a gamble on the album without hearing the music first. But of course, come the end, the music is what matters, so what do we have here? Let's take a look at the tracks.

Kingfisher and Dragonflies, Part 4: This opening track title draws off yet other back Karfagen albums, 'Land of Green and Gold', which has Part 3, Solitary Sandpiper Journey, which has part 2, and 'The Space Between Us, which is home to part 1. Obviously, Antony likes to create crossovers between his different albums, but you have to be alert to catch them all. This short opening piece serves as a nice prelude that serves as an indicator of what can be expected, starting with soft acoustic guitar, light keyboards, joined by soft vocalizations, keys gradually coming more to the forefront. It has a pleasant pastoral folk quality, yet at the same time there is a progressive jazz feel to it in the vein of something that the Pat Metheny Group has done. An engaging start that rolls into the first longer piece. (4/5)

Mysterious Forest, Part 1: This piece picks up where the previous one leaves off with the acoustic guitar and light keys. Gentle vocals come in quickly to nice effect. My immediate impression was that this picked up a strong Jon Anderson vibe from his Olias of Sun Hillow' era work. This progresses for about two minutes and there is a sense that this is going to be a very mellow journey, but suddenly this is interrupted with some strong and unexpected guitar riffs, perhaps in the vein of something that the Flower Kings might do. Lyrics join and brass gets introduced in a cascading progression that goes on for quite a while. Speaking of Jon Anderson, the lyrical content herein reminds of his style also, whimsical but profound enough, and always subjective to the perceptions of the listener. Lines such as 'holding beauty in the palm of your hands, an eternity in a grain of sand'. very reminiscent and well done! Starting around the 8:00 minute mark and ending about the 11:00 minute mark there is section of experimental but accessible sounds over a bed of percussion that is quite enjoyable. The last two minutes draw upon instrumental themes from the 'Birds of Passage' album, hinting at the symbiosis between the two albums. (4.5/5)

Mysterious Forest, Part 2: This instrumental piece is considerably shorter than the previous piece, starting with a jazzy opening that quickly propels into up beat and forward guitar work, over background keys. A minute and half in becomes more drum and percussion driven, guitars continue to build over the top, keys then start competing to overcome the guitars, and then suddenly drops off to its conclusion. Very energetic and enjoyable! (4.5/5)

To those Who Dwell in Realms of Day: This track is a beautiful contrast to the previous piece, dropping back to soft pastoral ballad. Antony's vocals in this piece are top notch and emotionally harmonized with the music in a most enjoyable way. For those that are familiar with the Johannes Luley album 'Tales From a Sheepfather's Grove' , it is very similar in texture and emotion ? very nice. Only complaint is that this one is simply too short (5/5)

Birds of Passage and the Enchanted Forrest: This is the longest piece clocking in at 19:00 plus minutes. It starts with a mid-tempo, lyrics enter, and the tempo and intensity starts to escalate. The following lyrics directly refer to the 'birds of passage', again linking the previous album to this one. About 3:45 the keys begin to really push the song, maybe expressing some Yes or Kansas like vibes, that play out until the 6:25 minute mark where the song seems to come to a complete end. And then it restarts with acoustic guitar and more Metheny like vocalizations that bring the opening track back into the mix. Once again picks up the Jon Anderson and Johannes Luley vibe, which I rather like, and then back into the 'Birds of Passage' lyrical content over a nice piano line. This continues to build in intensity for couple minutes and then feels like it is going to die out into a pleasant ambient section, but instead goes into a new lyrical section that grows in intensity and again builds into an powerful guitar section ala the Flower Kings once again. Finally, after this exhausts itself, the last couple minutes drop into the previously expected semi ambient section with a another well done vocal section. Another well composed lengthy piece by Antony! (4.5/5)

Through the Whispers of the Wind: The following instrumental piece clocks in at under two minutes, and once again, is a nice contrast of acoustic guitar and light synths, pastoral in nature, and a welcome contrast to the length and intensity of the previous piece. The second half once again draws on musical notes from the 'Birds' albums reinforcing that they are tied together. (4/5)

Mysterious Forest, Part 3: And finally, the closer. This one reprises the lyrical content of Mysterious Forest Part One, but in more of an accessible single type style that could easily be radio friendly. The vocals again pick up the Jon Anderson 'Olias' flavor which makes it feel very familiar, but this is a positive from my perspective. The song itself is mid tempo with guitars, brass, synths, and more all taking a turn at taking the lead musically. Very happy sounding, lacking the complexity and almost a complete extraction of the prog elements of part one, and yet quite enjoyable making it all finish out on high note. (4.5/5)

As always, the constructs of Antony's compositions and production are spot on. It is most enjoyable to uncover the links between his past works and his new ones. The mixing is clean and all the instruments and vocals come out distinctly and really pop. While this is not a an entirely quiet mellow album, the intensity at portions is not off the edge either. It is the type of album that can be enjoyed for unwinding at the end of the day, and yet at the same time certainly has more than enough complexity and diversity in it to warrant focused headphone listening. Once again for me, another rock solid 4 star album from Karfagen, well worth having in your collection of prog music.

Passage to the Forest of Mysterious is the new Karfagen release consisting of two CDs. The music originates from both the 'Echoes from within Dragon Isle' and 'Birds of Passage'. The first disc named 'Passage to the Forest of Mysterious' begins with 'Kingfisher and Dragonflies', obviously harking back to the '...Dragon Isle'. Our first epic track follows which is just over 14 minutes and is called 'World in a Grain of Sand'. The lyrics of which informs us that everything, no matter how small is representative of the much larger world. This track starts with a very happy beginning, lovely and uplifting, pointing the way to lift your spirits of which the musicians echo this sentiment. Wonderful organ passages overlapped with synths. All instruments represent the moods of birds in flight, the wind in the trees, the enigma of the forest. Antony's magic is utilising his music to enhance these themes, stories and messages. You close your eyes, listen with intent and you are swept up in this world. Of course Igor Sokolskiy's artwork substantiates this fantastical world beautifully. The music represents the highest quality of prog music including to my surprise some true moments in my opinion that is very King Crimson. What I also like is the small tracks interspersed between the long tracks. They are acoustic pieces basically that gives a calming beauty to this forest.

The second disc labelled 'Birds' is an interesting disc. Antony has re-worked the music from the 'Birds of Passage' sessions. This starts off with the 22 minute 'Birds (part 1)' being an instrumental version highlighting the creational musical elements from the original album. What is more amazing is even though this is representative of the 'Birds of Passage' album, it is also a brand new piece. One could say it is even an extension. This shows the depth and creativity of Antony. That he can revisit this past album and still compose a new opus that belongs and still distinguishes itself as a separate entity.

This 'Birds' version is full of high energy and delivers a sensuous, uplifting and invigorating sense of feeling. The same expert musicians provide their talent again. Both guitarists Mathieu Spaeter and Max Velychko do their magic, the energetic drummer Viktor Syrotin, Olga Rostovska's elegant background vocals, Konstantin Ionenko's creative bass playing, Maria Baranovska's cheeful violin and Elena Kushchii's flourishing flute encompasses the whole of these two discs.

Both discs have a familiar and unfamiliar listening experience. Even if you have both 'Echoes from within Dragon Island' and ' Birds of Passage', you won't regret buying this for further listening. If you haven't got these albums, after listening to this, you will want to buy both albums also.

More magic from the Master. Absorb it all with joy.

I find Anthony Kalugin's work, especially in Karfagen, to be really good retro prog. While I may not be the biggest Karfagen fan, when they release a new album, I'll indulge in what they have to offer. This went for last year's Land Of Green And Gold, and it goes for this year's releases of Birds, which is a instrumental re-interpretation of Birds Of Passage, and the band's big release of Passage To The Forest Of Mysterious. Now it may be recency bias, but, I find Passage To The Forest Of Mysterious to be an album worthy of being called a modern masterpiece.

I am honestly quite speechless when talking about this record as I am trying to review it right now, because really I feel like Anthony's craft is at a point where he has turned into a new league of his own. For starters, he has really made his compositions shine thoroughly, creating these big and vast lands of progressive rock magnitude that he has refined and practically perfected over the years. It is very clear in the bigger tracks like Mysterious Forest Part 1 and Birds Of Passage And The Enchanted Forest, but even in the smaller tracks like Kingfisher & Dragonflies Part 4 and To Those Who Dwell In Realms Of Day, we get these magnificent areas of exploration that I think are some really immaculate stuff all around.

Speaking of shorter songs, I feel like what really makes this album click for me is those smaller moments of greatness, stuff that makes these songs feel all the more special. For example, I love Mysterious Forest Part 3's ending with the moody and kinda smooth saxophone and guitar melody, which I think ends this album really amazingly, and that is only probably just a quarter in terms of that song. I just love those little things like that on here that make me feel like I really went on a journey.

The real stars here are definitely the bigger tracks of Mysterious Forest Part 1 and Birds Of Passage And The Enchanted Forest. Mysterious Forest Part 1 is a really great song to me, creating this giant but dense land of beautiful moments, showcasing Anthony's symphonically enriched prog rock really well in this grand spectrum, and one that I just love with my whole heart.

However, I honestly think Birds Of Passage And The Enchanted Forest might be one of the best prog epics Karfagen has put out, and definitely the best in terms of contenders of retro prog epics. For one, the music on it is so immaculate. I just love the reprisals from Birds Of Passage mixed within this grand and new frontier, going through moments that vary on sounds and styles of different prog genres, going through mostly symphonic prog textures and sounds, but also verging to neo prog, prog metal, folk, and jazzy moments that makes this song feel all the more epic as it spins around through these different soundscapes that the band clearly have a knack for. However, that is not the real reason why this song struck out to me. It is a lot different than that.

While I do not like to get into politics in my reviews, especially as grim as ones like this, I feel like it is worth talking about as it relates to the music and my listening experience. So, as you all might know, Ukraine was attacked by Russia last year and is still going through a ton of trouble, and many more countries are suffering similar situations, like Georgia. I have tons of sympathy for the Ukrainian people, even if I am not Ukrainian myself or live close by. With that, and since I knew Karfagen is a band from Ukraine, I had the thought of the conflict in my head while listening to it, and this song, and all the rest of the tracks on here, just made me realize how, even when they are attacked, and at war with a really big power like Russia, they can still make this joyous, and so celebratory music that hold so much weight in these dark times, and if I'm gonna be honest, this album on a few occasions nearly made me cry with just this fact alone. This goes back to the ending track of Mysterious Forest Part 3, and it's ending with those beautiful saxophones and guitars, that just gives me hope that things will be alright for those over across the pond. For that reason alone, I just couldn't help but fall in love with this album.

Passage To The Forest of Mysterious is an album that shines a bright hope in the face of these dark, dark times, and as it all stands, I feel like this is one such album I will revisit time and time again, even after (and hopefully soon) when the Ukraine conflict is resolved. This is an album that I think, no matter what your tastes are, should be listened to and supported. It is simply one that I think most deserves it, not only for its amazing music on display, but in general for these Ukrainians who need support in one of their darkest days. I have hope.

One of Antony Kalugin's three project releases from the first half of 2023, this one rises to the top due to the fullness of the walls of sound brought on by his collaborators.

1. "Kingfisher and Dragonflies (Part 4)" (3:01) solo acoustic steel string guitar opens this before New Age keyboard synth notes begin backing up the guitar's melodies. Bass and some sparse drumming join in before group vocalese enters to also replicate the guitar and synth's melody line. It sounds very JON ANDERSON/ANT PHILLIPS-like. (9/10)

2. "Mysterious Forest (Part 1) - World in a Grain of Sand" (14:03) nice mature bombastic prog that checks all the boxes but doesn't offer anything very memorable much less to knock your socks off. (26.5/30)

3. "Mysterious Forest (Part 2) - The Ominous Ride" (4:21) a jazzy, keyboard-dominated opening turns prog fusion at 0:40 as piano and rhythm section support a lead guitar solo. At 1:35 electric piano takes over as the pace shifts into fourth gear. Nice bass play and synth wash background support. At 2:30 a buzz saw-like synth enters and competes for the lead but is then supplanted by a pyrotechnically flashy 21st Century electric guitar solo. Very nice song! (9/10)

4. "To Those Who Dwell in Realms of Day" (2:18) more than an interlude or étude (4.375/5)

5. "Birds of Passage and the Enchanted Forest" (19:02) reworked from a previous album (2020's Birds of Passage)--an album that was released in January of 2020, just before the COVID pandemic swept across the planet. Birds has been one of Antony's more popular and well-received releases--partly due, no doubt, to the collaboration of his usual posse of excellent musicians. It is quite well-constructed and performed with Antony's usual great NeoProg sound, I just have trouble endorsing the re-publication of a previously released piece of music. (36/40)

6. "Through the Whispers of the Wind" (1:38) beautiful acoustic guitar with synth-orchestral support. WILLOWGLASS-like. (4.375/5)

7. "Mysterious Forest (Part 3) - World in a Grain of Sand Reprise" (4:15) multiple keyboard-generated tracks are delicately woven together for the spacious support for the male vocalist's singing. After the brief first verse, electric tuned percussion signals entry to the chorus which, again, sounds quite JON ANDERSON New Agey. The synth, jazz bass, and metronomic drum supported nylon string guitar and saxophone solos only seal this sentiment. (8.66667/10)

8. "Birds of Passage and the Enchanted Forest" (single version) (9:59) song #5 here rendered into a "single" version. (Who's ever heard of a ten-minute "single"? I mean, the whole purpose of a single is to deliver a version that is appropriate for radio play--and I can think of very few pop radio stations that will play a ten-minute song!) I can't rate this too low because it is still wonderful, but it's not new! And it's been released as an epic-length song on the same album--three songs before! (17.5/20)

Total Time 58:37

I do not like republished music of older songs despite the fact that they may be better than their original versions (and despite the fact that as an artist myself I know and appreciate the desire to revisit and rework/edit one's previous work)--it feels like a trick played upon the consumerist public. I mean, if the music were offered free for those who purchased the original material, then that would be a different matter, but, if the original material wasn't good (or failed to get critical acclaim or approval) then so be it; you should have sat on it longer the first time.

Still, there is Antony's usual excellent, lush sound engineering and production here and quite a nice, fully developed palette of collaborator's inputs throughout the album's songs.

B/four stars; an excellent addition to any prog lover's music collection--especially if you're into a more New Agey sound palette for your retro-prog.