KARFAGEN / SUNCHILD / HOGGWASH: A MESSAGE OF PEACE TOUR

A Message of Peace Tour is the first live content from Antony Kalugin since The Breaking Free Tour from 2016. As with that previous live album, this is an exceptional live album that has an outstanding atmosphere conducive to what a live album should be. One element you can count on from Antony is his procurement of talented musicians. Joining him this time is Kostiantyn Shepelenko on drums, Vladyslav Karbovskyi on bass guitar, Mariya Panasenko on vocals along with Olga Rostovska and the impressive Anton Barsukov on guitar. The track list contains songs from all three of Antony's projects being Hoggwash, Sunchild and Karfagen. Most are from Sunchild which makes sense as they are more song orientated. One thing that does stand out is the tracks from Hoggwash which was created by Antony and Will Mackie. These two tracks are the longest on the album. Only two songs are repeated from the previous live album, 'Rain Drops' and 'Visionary Sights'. I have no issue with this as both are crowd pleasing songs. Speaking of crowd pleasing, 'Shall We Run?' has to join that chorus, proving that Antony's song writing can be as good in a commercial sense as he can compose complex prog music. A song that instantly grabs your attention and does not let go. I need to mention Mariya's singing here. There is such a wide range of music and it appears she handles it with ease. I would describe her as 'Delicate Power'. Her softness is eloquent and her strength is palpable. My favourite tracks are 'Grail and Time' and 'Father' both which come from the album 'Messages From Afar: The Division and Illusion of Time'. 'Grail and Time' being a majestic song and a showcase for Antony's passionate voice supported superbly by Mariya and Olga. 'Father' being Antony's celebration of his father and a wonderful sentiment to fatherhood. I do have one regret of this album: with the amount of new music Antony has recorded since the previous live album, this easily could have been a double album. As a prolific creator, how did he choose the songs he did for this concert? There is a lot to choose from, a true challenge alone. This is an exquisite and effervescent concert captured beautifully that also highlights the tragedy occurring in Ukraine right now. How can such terror be thrust upon people that have an extensive artistic flair as this is beyond me. Continue the Message of Peace.