STRUCTURA TORTURA

This is a musical project by fellow collaborator Igor, aka Prog-Jester, (playing guitar, drums, computer, head, heart, hands, feet, that sounds like a perfect blend of techniques, body and soul!) and a Russian friend Vitaliy. He send me this CD as a promo because he knows I am willing to write about lesser known and unknown progrock and I am also very curious to musical projects by fellow collaborators.

On this CD (from 2007, running time 60+ minutes) we can enjoy seven compositions (first 3 by Igor, other 4 by Vitaly) featuring varied musical landscapes. The emphasis is on creating atmospheres rather than odd and complex time signatures, dazzling solos or awesome interplay between guitar and keyboards. Most of the tracks sound dark and atmospheric with dreamy climates and slow rhythms like Amnesia (melancholic violin and fiery wah-wah drenched guitar), The Diary Of The Missed One (hypnotizing with fine pianoplay and lots of distorted guitar), Fly In A Glass (gradually more bombastic and compelling like Radiohead), the wonderful After A Rain (very warm climate with twanging guitar) and Come With Me On Wires (a sound collage). In the song The Fried Bull's Waltz we hear a raw and propulsive sounding guitar in an ominous atmosphere, then the music turns into more and more compelling with strong hints from the 'organized chaos' by early King Crimson, the final part delivers a beautiful strings sound. The most alternating composition is Art Saves/Kills, from atmospheric and dreamy with twanging guitar to bombastic with powerful drums/guitar riffs and propulsive with thunderous drums, very dynamic!

Congratulations Igor (and Vitaliy), a strong and promising effort! My rating: 3,5 stars.

Good Lord, Erik was faster even here!!!

It's 29th of December now, my birthday, and I'm writing review on my own album. Life is wonderful, isn't it? :)

Okay, first of all, THEY made me do it. They've seduced me saying things like "even Stiven Wilson himself rates his albums!" etc. I'll try to be as sceptic and objective as it possible, hence the mark is 4,5 stars.

We've met each other via Net. Vitaly is from Yekaterinburg,which is in cold Siberia, and I'm from Sverdlovsk, Ukraine, and we have couple of thousands miles dividing us. But that's nothing when you long to present your music to the world. So, Vitaly printed split's pressing (33 copies only), and I began to send them in any place where they could be appreciated. Ironically enough, now, when we have 2 or 3 copies left, I'm beginning to recieve REAL purchase requests with money proposals! Sorry, pals, we're running out of them and I dunno what to do...maybe, just to upload that split legally on our web-site.

Back to music. We've presented nearly half-an-hour of material from each project. My tracks are all long, moody and mellow. Vitaly's approach is of another kind, he writes really wonderful tunes, sometimes electronica/indie-leaned, but never boring. Oddly enough, I usually can play most of Post-Rock tunes, heard from other band, since the first few listens. I just turn the audiosystem on, listen, and then play what I've heard. But in KRIKSTON's case I simply sit with my jaw dropped, wondering how the hell he did it!

"Structura Tortura" starts with "Amnesia", one of my favourite tracks, with MONO-inspired intro (crying violins and tremolo guitars), mid-part in 6/8 with that spontaneous solo, that I usually call "Santana" (ha-ha! :) ) and marching tragic/dramatic coda in 7/8 with its main moving tune, that has come to me this summer, when I was musing sitting on the bench in our park...and suddenly this melody came. Yep, this happens sometimes. Then "The Diary of the Missed One" follows, known as "Album's Preview" from KROBAK's MySpace page. This is not an independent track really, this is album's medley, besides it has some parts that won't be featured on the album!!! I mean I've re-recorded some of them, so with this track you have this unique opportunity to watch how the music ideas RE...I meant, PROgress :) "The Fried Bull's Watlz" (the second part of "The Fried Bull's Blues", which is 20 min originally) is somewhat a homage to Krautrock, but in "my own special way" (c). Built around simple yet groovy riff, this track hypnotizes the listener with its monotonous drummachine beat and haunting guitar effects (no synths were used!!!). Additional note is that all violins/string sounds used by me on this split were programmed except for violin solos in "Amnesia" coda (they were played by a musical techaer from my local school, thanks a lot, Marina Vladimirovna!!!)

Then KRIKSTON's part follows. This is wonderful, that we both share the same passion (MUSIC!!!) but have different idols and preferences. I mean, if my background was ...ermm, proggy, then Vitaly's one is indie/shoegaze stuff. I'm just digging this kind of music now, and I've already found loads of interesting bands here, so I'm pretty thankful to Vitaly for such an introduction!

"Art Saves/Kills", clocking around 12 minutes, is the most complex and progressive track of the whole record, and that was a massive surprise even for me!!! I can hardly compare it to something, but you can make your own mind towards it by downloading it from our split's site. All the following tracks ("Fly In A Glass", "After The Rain", "Come With Me On Wires") are available for free download on KRIKSTON's LastFM page, so don't hesitate to check them as well! "After the Rain" is definitely my favourite, with catchy yet mellow guitar line, very SIGUR ROS/late MOGWAI in feel! Besides, Vitaly has (self)-released his debut EP recently, so if you've become interested in his stuff, write him via our site!!!

With KROBAK representing dark epic side of Post-Rock and KRIKSTON from both guitar and electronic sides, "Structura Tortura" becomes an essential hour of Post-Rock wandering through contemporary post-Soviet independent scene. Highly recommended...and I hope there will be more pressings soon ;)

Regadzz, Igor

What's with the fried bull?

Post-Rock is not a genre that attracts me naturally, being from a generation that had to choose between 80's pop or 70's classic rock. I never managed to play Godspeed You Black Emperor's Lift Your Skinny Fists... album from beginning to end without getting distracted or simply annoyed. With Krobak and Krikston, this was less of a problem - maybe because the tracks are shorter, maybe because I was more focussed on getting a review out for the efforts of a valued ProgArchives member. Either way, Post-Rock is not a genre that I will investigate deeply, but this album is certainly worth listening every now and then.

The Krobak part starts of with the atmospheric Amnesia, containing a nice guitars solo with a hint of a bass groove underneath half way through. The violins at the end give it all a folk-like feel. Definitely within the boundaries of what is defined as Post-Rock - eclectic yet not straight forward rock. The second track, The Diary of the Missed One, begins atmospheric as well. The track has a sound track to an 'alternative' movie feel to it: listening closely reveals what could be a number of movements in this 12 minute track, but I haven't taken the effort to count them. The main trigger for listening in this was was the sudden switch to something 'a bit more light' at the 4 minute mark. The final Krobak track, The Fried Bull's Waltz is a different animal (pun intended). It starts with heavy guitars that come back in many shapes throughout the remainder of this piece, that clocks well over 12 minutes again. There is a structure in here, but it's not apparent upon first listen. Challenging for me, maybe less challenging for Post-Rock addicts, but I definitely want to retry discovering it. The ending of the track, which takes us back to more atmospheric grounds provides a nice contrast to the rest of the track.

Then followeth the Krikston part. Art Saves/Kills seems to continue in the dreamy style already introduced by Krobak, but it soon starts mixing atmoshperic pieces with heavier, rock guitar oriented movements - making it one of the two most rocking tracks on the album (together with The Fried Bull's Waltz). Fly in a Glass is one of those titles where I expect to hear sound images of that reflect the title. No such thing here - at least not recognisable to me. Instead, a relaxed atmosphere is created by drums, guitar and maybe some synths or guitar effects. A track that invites to lay down, stare at the ceiling and just listen - even though it gets a bit heavier and noisier toward the end. After a Rain and Come with me on Wires are in the same vein, although the guitar is less prominent on the latter. Apart from Art Saves/Kills Krikston could've done with a bit more variation - then again, these three tracks are only about 5 minutes long, were the other four on the album are well over the 10 minutes long. I must add that Come With Me On Wires is the only track on this album that contains something resembling a human voice - albeit only a sort of heavily sound processed panting.

All in all, my first post-rock experience since my failed attempt at appreciating Godspeed You Black Emperor was far from a disappointment. A great effort by two multi-instrumentalists - even if I don't expect this very limited edition double debut to be an essential piece of any progressive rock collection. Three stars is a valid score here.

My friendship with Igor(Prog-jester) on this site was born mostly out of our very similar tastes in music. One day he asked me if he could send me some of the songs he had been working on and if I would comment on them, and of course I said yes. I have to tell you I was blown away at how good they were. I've stated publically before that his music is some of the best Post-Rock I have ever heard. I'm very proud of Igor and glad that he has some of his music out now on this split cd with KRIKSTON who is an incredible talent himself. I really think KROBAK is going to create a buzz when the first full length album is finally released in the near future.

KROBAK is up first with "Amnesia"(split edit). It opens with 2 1/2 minutes of sounds that rumble along darkly.That's when some mournful violin joins in and takes over. It stops 2 minutes later as light drums and Post-Rock style guitar create a pleasant mood. The sound is building. A change after 7 1/2 minutes as some dancing violin melodies arrive to end the track. "The Diary Of The Missed One" (album's preview) is my favourite piece on here. It's a medley really of some of the songs that will be featured on Igor's new album. I guess because i've heard some of the longer versions it's almost frustrating that they're so short. At least it's a taste of what's to come.The first section features that Post-Rock style guitar playing. It sounds great ! The next part comes in before 4 minutes and is my favourite. I could seriously listen to this all day. It's so uplifting and beautiful. It moves me emotionally. The next part arrives before 8 minutes as we get a light melody with some experimental sounds. After 9 minutes light drums and guitar take over and build. The final track from KROBAK is "The Fried Bull's Waltz". A fairly heavy guitar melody is played slowly over and over with space inbetween each melody(almost like it's slowly pulsating). Other sounds are being added. The heavy guitar melody stops breifly 8 minutes in, but does return before the bull disappears for good. Late in the song it becomes quite spacey, almost like DJAM KARET with a Post-Rock flavour.

Next up is KRIKSTON with a song from his new album("Smashed Moth") called "Art Saves/Kills". It opens with some atmospheric guitar that is joined by light drums. The guitar tone changes a minute in. A heavy passage comes and goes. Nice. A calm before 5 minutes lasts about 2 1/2 minutes. Then some TOOL-like drumming comes in until 9 minutes in when we are cooking.The final 1 1/2 minutes is just like the intro. Great track. The next 3 songs are from KRIKSTON's first record called "BPNLK". First up is "Fly In A Glass" a Post-Rock song that is guitar driven. It opens with beautiful, gentle guitar that builds as drums come in. A full sound 3 1/2 minutes in. After 5 minutes it calms right down to end it. "After A Rain" opens with the sound of pouring rain. All I know is it sounds much better when that sound stops. Piano and guitar sounds come in before all we can hear is guitar before 2 minutes. Drums then arrive 3 minutes in. "Come With Me On Wires" has this steady beat throughout. I really like the sound after 3 minutes as synths? come in.The beat stops 4 minutes in as a dark atmosphere ends the song.

This has been a pleasure to listen to, and i've listened to it a lot. For any Post-Rock fans out there, I know your going to be impressed by KROBAK's new album but in the meantime check out KROBAK on the Myspace web-site.

Brothers in arms ...

Well - the three M's. Fellow proghead Igor Sidorenko aka krobak has sent me one of his rare 'Structura Tortura' demos - many thanks - and now it's time to offer my impressions. All the instruments are played by himself - except some violin parts - and that's appreciable per se (especially for me as a non-musician). Not to forget - this is a split CD and the second part is delivered by Vitaly Pereladov aka krikston who has already produced two full albums. As for a first summary I can notice: their music matches during the whole 60 minutes switching between a solemn atmosphere and rocking parts which can be most likely categorized as post rock. Maybe one can say they are brothers in arms hereby.

The three M's - characteristic for the first song Amnesia. Divided in three parts - melancholic without any doubt and this is accurate first of all for the begin, suspense-packed with a psychedelic guitar and (synthy?) violin additions. And the end, minimalistic with a repetitive, probably native folk violin theme. The drums are present in the middle part and the song gets tempo, a happy flavour supported by a nice melodic guitar solo. The diary of the missed one is also provided with three parts - very atmospheric with soundscapes, various guitar skills (Ballalaika?) and piano additions. A rough guitar riff initiates The fried bull's waltz followed by spacey synths - screwy, sometimes nearly dissonant, accompanied by reserved drums. Very interesting but not everyone's taste for sure. For the last minute the krobak part is rounded up with the violin theme known from the first song.

Krikston's part delivers more rocking elements in its entirety. Art saves/skills is a 12 minute song alternating indeed between mellow psychedelic parts and rough hard rocking guitars - well done. The next songs even manage the same conditions - a mix of melancholic psych and post rocking elements sometimes in a special dramatic mood. The last song Come With Me On Wires differs as a more ambient piece with some mysterious synths.

As for a conclusion: a good and skillful promo and there should come more - I hope so.

In the beginning he had a Split

I am lucky to know Igor (Sidorenko) and to have received a copy of his first release, the split with Krikston, Structura Tortura. Igor was kind enough to offer this split to me and in return I promised to write a review of it.

Reminiscing of the atmosphere found in GYBE's albums (as well as in others like Mono and Larua) the music travels from the quiet, low-profile and serene to higher planes of the guitar climaxes.

The (very) slow build up in Amnesia is well done; it's not devoid of melody, meaning it is not just a structural approach of letting the guitar and percussions create a slowly developing rhythm and pattern. The melody starts in this part, creating the core already there (it is not always the case, like I hear in other post-rock bands). The string (synth) backup gives a nice soothing touch to the tune (reminds me of a soundtrack a-la Clint Mansell). However I feel there could have been more delivered in this track; more development, introducing another musical idea or theme, add a contrasting instrument or sound to the synth and guitar or have them play together. Of the three tracks, this is my favourite one.

The Diary Of The Missed one starts with an interesting effect of a guitar followed by two over layers of guitars, with again a GYBEian or even EITSian sound. It's sounds like a short jam and at first I wasn't sure where this will lead. And indeed it changes style/sound (but keeps the main idea and atmosphere. Nicely done and keeps the flow. However, here it comes to what I hear as a more derivative sound in the climax. This is where I think Igor will need to change, bring other ideas, creative and more original to create his own sound. That is, if he intends on separating himself from the "herd". Don't get me wrong, it's not bad at all. In fact it's pretty good and I enjoy listening to it; but in order to establish a musical identity (if one is indeed wanted), then going on one's own musical journey and experimentation is required to achieve that goal. Around the 8 minute in the track comes a part which illustrates some of what I mean; the introduction of the piano and other sounds on the synth and the effects on the background is a good start to get there. The quick change a minute and a half later is a technique he could also use more to attain that objective. However, in general I think this particular track is lacking a connecting thread (unless such proposition was not intended to begin with); I like the way it jumps from idea to idea, but at times it feels like a bunch of ideas, was condensed into one track. And these different ingredients don't necessarily go with each other hand in hand (though mostly they do, but at times it feels like one idea had simply run its course and another unrelated one was brought in to replace it).

The Fried Bull's Waltz has a promising abstract intro made up of a loud raw guitar riffing away in intervals. The sudden adding of percussion is done well. The effects with the guitar are a good addition and create a slightly eerie atmosphere, somewhat spacey in nature but this is counteracted by the rawness of the guitar (which sounds slightly skewed). This long episode/intro is a promising one, I find and can be the basis for many different interpretations and build ups. However it lingers too long and remains undeveloped. I think he missed a good opportunity here to do many interesting things with this basic pattern. Playing with effects to give a psychedelic trip is a good idea, but I just feel this could have been done otherwise, or rather been developed in various directions. However I do like the eerie (even creepy) and psychedelic mood he develops with the guitar and its effects.

This music deserves a full lineup of musicians performing it; it will sound sublime. However, kudos for Igor for pulling it off himself and making it sound this good.

Based on this release, I think Igor will do great in his future musical career.