LIMBOSIS

There's a fascinating dynamic to state actually when it comes to the progressive rock scene in Poland. So much new bands to explore - nowhere else to be found in this regard in recent days. Eh ... this does not mean, that I would whitewash all of these, just like spreading a bonus because they are hailing from the neighbourhood or so. But certainly a large number is offering a really challenging output, that's my impression at least. Now coming from Poznan (Posen) ABSTRAKT are newcomer when it comes to the metal fold - heavy guitar riffs all over are significant - and it does not take much time to recognize that Tool seem to be their main influence. Not a problem for my taste, which means this could not really prevent me from digging deeper ... luckily.

The ultimate start of 'Limbosis' is very beautiful, I mean the initial guitar work on Teratoma - this has become branded on my mind in the meanwhile. In between the mood changes to something irrational, ambient patterns are paired with assorted noise like drilling aso. Their sound is not reduced on progressive metal and heavy alternative, there are often enough spacey synths and psychedelic guitars to recognize in between. Samples are properly interspersed too, a violin appears here, a didgeridoo there ... overall everything is unpredictable on this occasion. Some songs like The Bus resemble New Model Army, Krzysztof Podsiadlo's voice partially comes close to Justin Sullivan indeed.

And it's no wonder that in fact also fellow countrymen Riverside are shining through from to time. The punching and rumbling bass strikes on Clockhouse most notably, excellent! And then suddenly ABSTRAKT are pushing a mellow school choir into the foreground as for a reliable contrast. Strictly speaking there's no need to emphasize any song though, not necessarily, because 'Limbosis' is a very consistent thing. Overall I find this a real fireworks when it comes to modern melodic prog metal. Apart from the fact that every band is influenced by other artists, more or less, ABSTRAKT surely make their own deal here. This is a really successful debut, when it comes to my taste, a recommended surprise bag!

Despite have a very interesting flow and THE epic of the year in the album's opening song, "Teratoma" (10:38) (10/10), the album eventually grows old and almost too weird and quirky for my tastes with each song seeming to take too long to develop or having too many stop-and-start moments. I really enjoyed it first listen but, as I said, it quickly grew old and lost its initial luster. The sound and dramatic style seems to become repetitive and boring-- and, at times, too RIVERSIDE-ish. Still, a really interesting and enjoyable collection of songs--each of which stands very well on their own but lose their fresh, innovative feel as a collective. Great drumming and amazingly creative keyboard and effects play throughout. The guitar work is where Abstrakt's music really suffers. Their lead vocalist, Krzysztof Podsiadlo, is very talented with his theatric, MORRISSEY-like voice but I think the band has to figure out how and where in the mix to present Krzysztof's stories.

2. "The Bus" opens very well with a great vocal, but then, in the third minute, shifts into a stereotypic metal song. The instrumental section in the fourth minute is nice with an unusual chorded guitar lead (which then becomes repeated ad nauseum). The vocal is quite theatric throughout--as if there is a stage show to accompany its performance. At 4:25 things quiet down a bit--which becomes the pattern: soft section alternated with poor guitar power chords. The electric guitar lead work is so deliberate and methodical that it is awkward, perhaps even embarrassing. (7/10)

3. "The Clockhouse" (7:37) includes a great use of female background vocals and overall spaciousness (9/10).

4. "Wolf" (10:24) is another song that tries so hard but betrays this band's lack of compositional and technical maturity. Some really nice lead guitar work in the third and fourth minutes. The heavy, power chord guitar dominated mid-section almost works with its keyboard, vocal and drumming excellence. The music (vocals and chord progression choices) in the eighth minute through to the end are horrible--embarrassingly so--totally unworthy of such a talented band. (5/10)

5. "Bloody Mary"(10:40) has great sound, keyboards and effects to produce an awesome atmosphere but it never seems to go anywhere--which gets old over it first seven minutes--and then disappoints hugely when it does finally kick into gear for the final three minutes (7/10).

6. "Liar's Symphony" (6:33) also has incredible sound--creates a wonderful atmosphere over the first two-thirds of the song, but disappoints with its climax (8/10).

7. "Greatnot" (8:48) is great for being more stable and even keeled start to finish (9/10).

8. The finale, "Journey" (10:23) is another odd one in that it's four parts are not necessarily cohesive (except for the drumming and, perhaps, the story line)--and yet it shows potential and holds the listener for its promise and possibilities. The dark, brooding opening section is straight out of RIVERSIDE's repertoire, the middle section sounds a bit like a SMITHS song, the third section is plastered by an over-dominant two-chord power chord, while the end section of sound effects of metal and glass objects again simply mystifies. (8/10).

A band with some great sound, creating great atmospheric textures, but that somehow goes off in odd and unsatisfying directions when it amps things up--usually in the middle or ending sections. Huge potential--definitely a band I will be watching.

A good three star album; good but non-essential.