THREE BROTHERS' EPILOGUE

A transition betweem Millenium trilogy which started with Vocanda and ended with Numbers and a taster of new style which started with Exist. Millenium took more aggresive edge and on the other hand more epic breath. And this decision was right. With this EP Millenium gave us 2 gems and one small failure. First gem, opener Epilogue, is a conclusion of the stories told in a trilogy (of course there is no happy end, this is prog rock). The whole band shines - guitar of Piotr Płonka and keyboards of Ryszard Kramarski are omnipresent and the solos are passionate. So is the vocal, I've never heard such passion in Millenium singing. The second track, Dream about Aliens joined together Talk To Aliens from Numbers with Aliens And Me is a realization of great idea. What on album was just another electronic track was transformed into very reflectional, to some extent even mystical piece of music. And another great example of how interesting Łukasz Gall's voice could be, this time it is subtle. However, this idea of enriching old track did not work with Wake up John!, vocal version of closing track of Numbers ...And The Big Dream Of Mr Sunders. What an album was aggresive coda was spoiled with not-so-passionate vocals and lyrics. Overall, the album is very clearly produced. For such EPs the grade of 2 stars seems to be proper, but I will judge it higher, with 3 stars - this album is not just for fans of the band, but not necessarily essential to appreciate the band, especially after release of Exist. What the hell, it is even 3, 5 half stars :).

This 2008 EP brings to a close the story that had been developed through earlier albums and then coming to a climax on 'Numbers and the Big Dream of Mr Sunders'. There are two reworkings (with vocals) of songs from that album, but the highlight is definitely the fifteen minute "Epilogue", where we learn that the three Sunders' brothers, Daniel, Adrian and Johnny, all end up together in the same asylum. As with all of their more recent works, the vocals are in unaccented English, while the lyrics are provided within the booklet in both English and their native Polish, a nice touch. I have never been able to understand why Millenium haven't managed to achieve quite the acclaim withi prog circles as Riverside, as everything I have heard of this is extremely polished and enjoyable and here is another case in point. Although not an album, here we have 28 minutes of music that has not appeared in this form elsewhere which needs to be sought out by fans of the band as it really does provide a major link between their previous works and what was yet to come.

As always, the music and concept is by keyboard player Ryszard Kramarski, who then worked with singer Łukasz Gall on the lyrics, and complexity can often be replaced by a simplicity that is breathtaking. Listen to the introduction of "Dream About Aliens" to see what I mean, with Piotr Płonka's guitar taking the lead and being supported by keyboards before switching roles. Elements of Collage, IQ and possibly Pendragon combine to provide prog that is symphonic and elegant and so very easy to appreciate.

As the band itself considered ''Vocanda'' its ''real'' debut album, in 2007, 7 years after the release of the album, a compilation album entitled ''7 years'' was released.It contained the most radio-played tracks of Millenium's career along with remixes and tracks from the band's maxi singles.In April 2008 the trilogy, that started in 2004 with ''Deva Ju'' would come to an end with the release of the EP ''Three brother's epilogue'', refering to the three characters, with which each of the last three Millenium albums dealt with.

The centerpiece of this work would be the 15-min. title-track, which is on par with Millenium's last launches.It is led by the clean and emotional voice of Lukasz Galeziowski and the impressive, atmospheric Neo Prog sound of the band, split between the flashy MARILLION sensibilities and the heavier overtones of modern Polish Prog Rock.The track features a combination of intense synth lines with light organ moves and some symphonic backdrops, showered by the nice electric guitar parts of Piotr Plonka, who's sentimental soloing comes often in evidence in a very PINK FLOYD-ian mood, and the frequent use of electronic samplers.Among the very good latest offerings of the group.A pair of tracks, coming from the sessions of ''Numbers and the big dream of Mr Sunders'', complete the album.''Dream about Aliens'' is another trademark of Millenium's contemporary sound.Lots of electronic beats next to symphonic synthesizers, downtempo guitar lines, crying solos and sensitive vocals offer another listening experience split between PINK FLOYD and compatriots SATELLITE.''Wake up John!'' features a dramatic orchestral intro with Galeziowski's voice in excellent shape, soon turning into a flashy Neo/Symphonic Prog with synthesizers in evidence and some deep melodious themes in a lyrical background.

Many people would consider the purchase of this EP not really necessary, but I assure you it contains some of Millenium's very best material.The limited running time might a preventing factor, but all three pieces are good examples of modern Polish Neo Prog.Recommended.