ZA WITRAżEM

3.5 stars for sure

Anamor was a promising and in same time one of the best neo prog bands from Poland in early last decade with the debut released in 2003 named Imaginacje. Even the album got excellent reviews over the years in prog circles, the band didn't manage to stay on market long enough for a second album and gone into oblivion somehow. I was really surprised last year when I saw that they are still alive and well and above all they got a new album. The second release was out after 15 years from the debut in 2018 named Za witrazem. Some things mentioned, the line up is same as on first album, that is a good thing because the passages and all are solid and compact, second, the overall sound keeping the same ingredients as on debut that is also great because they don't wanted in their sound some strange alien sounds from other genres , this is pure neo folk prog as must sound this style. The vocals are ok , Marta Głowacka voice is great as on previous album, the instrumental arrangements also stands as well done and performed, there is no weak moments here, even in places I can find similarities with another lesser known neo prog band from Poland - Turquoise. Opening track - W Górę a 9 min pure delight, the rest are also great. So all in all, a very nice surprise and a welcome return in prog circles , I really like it and I want more of this band because they are quite good on what they do.

In 2003 polish neo prog band Anamor released their debut CD Imaginacje. And I remembered that how good it was, for it was a strong album, where the group proved they already had their own personality. However, nothing came after that for about 15 years, which made me think theirs was one of those one off bands that delivered a prog gem and then it was gone. Fortunately I got the news that they were back in 2018 with new material. And after got a copy of Za Witrazem I´m glad to say they not only kept their original line up almost complete (only Tomasz Rychlicki, who played 12 string acoustic guitar on their first release and was replaced by a second keyboards player, Maciej Karczewski), but also maintained the high quality of their compositions and performances. In fact, it sounds like a continuation of the debut in many aspects. It could have been delivered in 2004 and it would fit perfectly them. Thank god good music does not age!

Like Imaginacje, Za Waitrazem is everything a neo prog fan would expect: great guitar solos and licks, dreamy keys, a tight rhythm section and passionate vocals. Marta Głowacka has lost nothing of her powerful voice and charisma, surely being the star here, with her unique deliver. Marek Misiak is also in great form and his guitar lines are both familiar and original. The style they adopted is very laid back and melodic, reminding me of their polish colleagues of Quidam and Albion, although still quite different. The tracklist if fantastic, and the CD is a joy to listen to from start to finish, making this comeback more than just a worthy effort. There is no real highlight on this album, since the quality of the songs are all very high. Production is also top notch.

Conclusion: I found that this album demands a little getting used to, exactly like I felt with Imaginacje. But once you get it, it´s hard not to press the repeat button again and again. Maybe it is too mellow and not challenging enough for some, but for me it is simply what I was waiting for for a long time. If you like neo prog, or just great melodic progressive music, you can´t miss this one. Highly recommended.

Rating: 4,5 stars.