THE LAST HORIZON

I was introduced to this band by a friend, and I've taken a keen interest in Ukrainian keyboardist Antony Kalugin and his various projects (among them, Sunchild, Karfagen and The Spacious Mind), and I find Hoggwash to be a nice eclectic blend: symphonic prog laced with rocking guitar riffs and nice keyboard runs, an occasional folksy feel, and even at times a bigband-like swing. There's alot to like here, and I glean occasional musical references to the like of Mike Oldfield and Bo Hansson. Above all else, melodies are very strong and central on the CD's (as well as the bonus disc's) tracks.

My personal favorite is the track Another Friday Night. It takes a couple of minutes before the musical direction of the track is unveiled, and it becomes highly contagious, with a brillian chorus sung of the words Dirty money's money no matter where it's been.

I find this work and its mastermind highly commendable and recommend it strongly to anyone who enjoys longer pieces fleshed out with nice guitar and keyboard runs. The vocals are strong and lyrically compelling. I anxiously await the next work Kalugin sets his energy to.