SO FAR AND SO NEAR

Russian band ETERNAL WANDERERS was formed by Elena and Tatyana Kanevskaya in 1997. The two of them were the only permanent members for many years, but in 2006 the addition of a bassist and a drummer made it a true-bred band. In 2008 they released their debut album "The Door to a Parallel World", and "So Far and So Near" is their second full-length effort. This latest production was issued by MALS Records in the summer of 2011.

"So Far and So Near" is an album that comes across as a clear highlight of productions issued in 2011 as far as I'm concerned. The cinematic, symphonic foundation obviously makes the symphonic art rock crowd something of a key audience, but with a width in scope and innovative touch that should intrigue a majority of art rock fans. Not a band that will be to the taste of all and sundry however, at least not initially, but one that merits a check by those who tend to enjoy high-quality music in general. A warm recommendation from me, with hopes of artistic and commercial success to follow for this fine Russian ensemble.

2011 saw the second album from Eternal Wanderers, and by now they had increased to a quintet with the addition of Dmitry Drogunov on flute, plus some guest musicians. To my ears this album is more complex than the debut, with Tatyana providing some wonderful guitar runs which show just how important rock can be to the progressive scene. Yes, she knows how to provide widdly widdly with the best of them, and can also provide basic backing when it is time for Elena to move to the front, but she has a mastery of many styles outside those normally used within the progressive scene and the album is all the better for it.

Having an additional melodic instrument in a flute has also allowed the band to spread their wings musically, while Elena also seems to be far more comfortable providing string keyboard solos when the need is there. If anyone wants an example of just how powerful these guys are then just listen to track two, which not only is the title cut but is a ten-minute long instrumental. Using a variety of keyboard sounds (some of which are very Eighties), and complex interplay between the two sisters, it is surprising in some respects at just how well Dmitry and Sergey manage to keep the music grounded, while also playing multi-faceted combinations of their own. They can go from blistering complex symphonic prog with neo elements to Camel at the drop of a hat, then revert into an arrangement that contains multiple layers but is never over-crowded or muddy.

Elena tells me that they hope to have the fourth album out inside the next few years, and I really hope that is the case as they are one of the strongest bands I have heard out of Russia, and all their albums are well worth investigating.