MACHINE YEARS

Kalin Tonev, one of the wonders of keyboars from eastern Europe, more precise from Sofia- Bulgaria, released his debut in 2017 Machine years. Well, being unaware of his music previous this album, I must saying I really like what I've heared here. This is a feast of keyboards going on all territories of instrumental keyboard driving prog, from almost prog metal to more electronic , even some jazzy parts are to be found, but Kalin done all arrangements with taste and is not a boring moment here. He done everything is to be heared here, with helping hands from guitarists Nenko Milev, Daniel Eliseev and Biser Ivanov who bring almost a prog metal atmosphere on some pieces. Aswell there are some symphonic touches who ease a bit the album something between Derek Sherinian, maybe Bob Katsionis, or some old school bands who are more orintated towards keyboards then on guitar. Some highliths for me, Short Story About Tanks, The shortcut, Dust or Mad Dancer, specially the first half of the album is to me better and more intresting then the rest. All in all more then decent release who put on the map again Bulgaria, being for far to many years just a shadow in prog world, only bands as FSB from old school or for more recent years the excellent prog metal band Pantommind being little more known in Europe. 3 stars maybe 3.5 in places a nice one, like the art work in a way.