ANGELS AND DEMONS

I heard Algabas in concert in 2012 and I was struck by how nothing was musically bad in what they did. It was a big shame there was no way to listen to them in CD quality. Every time I listen to this CD I still have distinctively pleasant feel.

The guys label themselves as neo-prog, and reviewers tend to agree. Yet for me it's not. The albums is based on verse-chorus-like structures, general lack of complexity is evident, so it's basically either Crossover, or neo-prog, or not prog at all. The main distinctive moment for me is the drums. They are never (or almost never) neo-proggish here, never ostinato, they add complexity, not conceal it by being simple and in front of everything. So my take on genre will be Crossover prog.

What really was top both on this album and on both concerts I attended is the guitar. It's playful, inventive and crystal clear. I couldn't notice if there are any self repeats or anything like that, and it plays throughout all 50+ minutes. Musical flow is like I like it: it is maintained carefully, all the fragments stitched together, mood transitions are not out of place. Keyboards play supportive role here for flow, melody and atmosphere. Slightly pleasant or slightly tense, seldom frenzy, seldom in front.

Downsides include lack of complexity, lack of tempo variation, rough production, no loudness variation (Sergey is still dissatisfied with the sound). There are mainly two types of music being played: mid-fast tempo 4-piece (bar The Chimney House which features a sax solo) and slow-mid paced psychedelic, both guitar driven.

Next goes a track by track stars. 4* Angels and Demons (5:04) 3* Galilei (5:47) 3* The White House (5:00) in Russian this was "The white stone" 4* Walking Around Jerusalem (5:17) 3* Secrets of the Sky (5:30) 3* The War (6:32) 3* Madness Formula (5:26) 4* The Chimney House (6:01) 3* Express Train (6:08)

Time-weighted average: 3,32.

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