ETERMEDIA

Framauro was the precussor band to Millenium, started in 1996 as a personal project of multi- instrumentalist Ryszard Kramarski.Hailing from Krakow, Poland, Kramarski brought along his cousins singer Stach Kramarski and guitarist Tomasz Pabian to help him with the recording of Framauro's first release.This was entitled ''Etermedia'' and saw the light in 1998.

As expected, Framauro's sound has plenty of similarities with Millenium's early works, while there are also references to the music of COLLAGE and ABRAXAS.However Framauro's style was less developed, less symphonic and more guitar-driven than any of COLLAGE's or ABRAXAS' albums, while the modern approach found in the later Millenium releases is also absent.On the other hand the compositions remain fairly interesting within the 90's Polish Prog sound with changes between crunchy passages and more emotional guitar solos.Additionally there are some great lyrical moments to be found in ''Etermedia'' with a deep intensity along with short piano interludes and very atmospheric, laid-back synthesizers.Kramarski's talent in composition can be also traced in the nice symphonic/orchestral themes contained in a few tracks as well as in the careful acoustic breaks here and there.

Shortly after the release of ''Etermedia'' Kramarski, encouraged by his friends, upgraded this project to a full-time band.Along with Tomasz Pabian he collaborated with drummer Tomasz Paśko, bassist Piotr Mazurkiewicz and singer Lukasz GaLęziowski to form a regular group, while during the recordings of the new album he changed the name of the group to Millenium.

''Etermedia'' contains all the great elements, characterizing the unique sound of Polish Neo/Symphonic Progressive Rock, and the album leaves a positive taste at the end, despite having a more raw sound compared to the Polish scene's legendary names.Recommended.