EVENING GAMES

This Polish Band is amazing!! They do really cool stuff, in my opinion as good or in some ways even better than Pendragon or IQ (and I am a huge fan of both).

Definitively a underrated band, that without a doubt are delivering nowadays the best Modern Symphonic Rock coming out of Poland, and IMO from that part of Europe anyway!!

This time around the guitars are not handled by Mr Gil, so the Hackett sound is less evident!! (However, is mention on the credits?!), That in a way may have work better for at least this production, which have plenty of musical turns.. And, that al least to me after my first spin, leave me with a little Metal aftertaste (in a very few passages)...fantastic Second release, and indeed a progression from "A Street...."

Some passages more heavy in a progressive sense, while others more acoustic; they seem to have found the right formula, still very melodic and accessible. With Robert Amirian soothing voice leading the way. I personally would like the Modern Marillion to sound something like this!! Wishful thinking!

If you are into Modern Symphonic Prog (AKA Neo-Prog), you will not be disappointed at all. So.....what are you waiting for?.....

I stand long time for this!!!The first album are very nice and put the bar high for this band. But SATELLITE respond with new cd over this old bar,The work on is incradable, very melodic,shymphonic,more presence for the bass riff.The drum and percussion make sure that the tecnical aspect stand!!! Maybe not best singer in a world but in is style is done a nice job.Not word for describe the melodi guitar is so beatifull close to Roni Stolt cap!! I think the fan of Satellite will be enchant thi album and many prog fan i recomande higtly!!!

After COLLAGE, RIVERSIDE and INDUKTI, here's another Polish progrock band, their name is SATELLITE and they have delivered a beautiful debut-album. The first song is the 'epic title track' (clocking at about 16 minutes) and it immediately showcases the maturity of their songwriting: pleasant, alternating and elaborated arrangements with lots of surprising musical ideas. The musis has obvious hints from the Neo Progressive Movement, especially the guitarwork and the vocals strongly bring early Marillion ("Misplaced Chidhood"-era) on my mind. Despite these comparisons I notice that SATELLITE sounds fresh and modern, these guys did a great recording job, it reminds me of Peter GABRIEL his magical home- studio recording skills! The fourth song "Love Is Around You" is not my cup of tea, a sweet and poppy ballad that seems to be written for the charts. But don't worry, the other tracks are fine, modern sounding prog featuring changing climates, pleasant keyboards, some harder-edged guitarwork and strong and omnipresent drumbeats. The limited edition version includes two bonus-tracks entitled "I'll follow the rain" (from dreamy with acoustic guitar and piano to bombastic with strong and sensitive electric guitar) and "You know and I know" (polished neo-prog ballad with emotional vocals and soaring strings).

There are precious few prog albums in recent times that cater to just plain old good songs. If you want to categorize (one of progdom's biggest drawbacks)and call this neo, than so be it! Satellite's forerunner band , Collage, issued a true masterpiece in the mid-90's called Moonshine, which left most if not all critics worldwide unanimously enthused. It was a feat not to be repeated until 2003, when most members of Collage reformed under the name Satellite and gave birth to a debut disc of great songs with gorgeous instrumentation and production (Now, Fight, On the Run) . The lead orbiter around whom all seems to revolve is Wojtek Szadkowski's songwriting and playing. One of the main reasons "Moonshine" had such an impact was due to his pen and his sticks, keeping everything dramaticand breathtaking. Barely a year after "A Street..", Satellite goes for the jugular with an even more stunning work, a tad less accessible than their debut disc, with a more pronounced symphonic edge and deeper presence. The arrangements are grandiose, creative, instantly recognizable due to its originality.This new record is blessed to have a return performance from Robert Amirian, a lead vocalist who knows how to combine hushed tones, poignant choruses and hymn-like passion when and where required. The guitar chores are all left to Sarhan (who had shared duties with the maestro Mirek Gil on the first disc), who now has the stage to himself and dares not disappoint , putting together a rich tapestry of distinct sounds and biting technique. The keys, bass and drumming are all nicely interwoven without any selfish pretense, very much in a team spirit.

It becomes quite apparent from the opening few minutes that this is going to be a damn good musical ride. The title cut"Evening Games" immediatly smashes to the ground any preconceived notion about gratuitous facility and sloppy predictability that may lurk in the mind of some "neobashers" (who are right ,at times). This is no accessible fluff but quite to the contrary, a 14 minute excursion into numerous mood changes & grandiose themes, abetted by some dazzling guitar prowess and secuctive synth runs. A little acoustic guitar break keeps the spirit magical, painting pastoral atmospheres, lifting the listener to forever higher levels of passion , pushing the envelope without remorse , the intent is to reach a certain point of pure aural bliss. The playing is tight , confident and with purpose. The next songs alternate between the gritty "Rush" with its dirty guitar parts and the sweetly evocative "Love is Around You" , a lilting groove with delicate vocals, keeping things fragile , memorable and yet vivid. The jewel track remains the fabulous "Beautiful World" , in the fine tradition of "Living in the Moonlight" from Moonshine and the track "Fight" off the "A Street..." album, a gutwrenching power-prog ballad that is simply mindblowing. The next track, "Evening Overture" is an equally compelling and devastatingly effective piece of prog with a chorus to die for. In fact, the entire record is brilliant , flowing with passion, well-balanced and utterly convincing.

A friend of mine who is unacquainted with prog observed rather interestingly that this record sounded like a combination movie sound track and pop music with lots of "brains", which I guess means that he was mostly impressed by the high level of musicianship displayed ,just to back some "songs" . Well, whatever any one says , this CD will stand the test of time and go down as a real new millenium classic. Will probably become a five star rating with another few spins in the next few days.

4.5 night plays

Warning: Playing on a stormy day could improve enjoyment.

Satellite is in fact one person: Wojtek Szadkowski (how do you pronounce that?) and he signed every song. Pretty impressive for a drummer. Being a drummer could be depressing for the creative side if you realize the fact that few drummers changed rock history. With Neil Peart, Dave Grohl, Phil Collins, Stewart Copeland and Bill Bruford, Wojtek can proudly say he's a leader and a good composer.

Because the talent of the poor guy is easily targetable.

Satellite is playing a light, catchy, well studied néo-prog that seems to be their own sound. Some tiny Genesis approaches could be detected, but in general Satellite does it Poland all the way: melancolic, dreamy and windy as the harsh country winters. The sound is very european and modern. They use a lot of percussion programming that alternates with the traditionnal drum kit, many times a song by moment. I like that concept. Porcupine Tree seems to use it more and more too. Many bands should inspire themselves from Satellite, the beat section is so hotter with all that programming! Gives a slick, modern, jagged, rusty feel to some songs. Also a great palette of keyboards is used, with mellotron domination but also some weird 70's sounds that I only heard on Trace's first album. By the way this means we're ain't fed by the same old marshmallow neo-prog again!

Of course, what would be a neo-prog band without the tribute to the singing of Fish? Unfortunately, this record is, for the zillionesque time, a pastiche of Dereck W. Dick's vocals. Hey, some things will never change and for that, I take off a star from the rating.

A dark album for sure, made for heavy cloudy days as every song seem to announce lots rain. Give a careful attention to the constant 'windy' feeling of the record, you haven't heard this many times.

Super catch.

It is nice, very nice actually. Good easy listening sweet music, actually little bit too sweet for my taste. Highly professional performance and very good musicianship. Nothing adventurous, nothing unexpected, nothing complicated - this music does not make you nervous, it does not keep your full attention - you can do something else while listening, it does not make you think actually - you can just sit comfortably in your armchair and relax after a hard day. The worst thing is that you permanently get this strange feeling "I heard it before". Very good, but nothing essential.

After the brilliant debut "A Street Between Sunrise And Sunset" it was nearly impossible for SATELLITE to place a bigger "follow up" album. "Evening games" is not so "catchie" as the debut, it's more darker. I can highly recommand this album, but you have to listen more often to it, to find your way to it.

Anyhow, with "Evening games" SATELLITE is making a big step forward, not backward. Once again, my repect to this guys. I hope they will produce many wonderful releases the next years.

4 stars.

This review is based on the original album, not the version above, with the two bonus tracks. I have both Satellite albums, and Moonshine from this band's predecessors, Collage. Every one of them is excellent, being high class, melodic prog with lush arrangements and superb production. On the first Satellite album, the guitar duties were shared between Mirek Gil, ex-Collage, and Sarhan. On this album, Sarhan does all the guitar work. His style is quite similar to Gil's, so there is little noticeable difference in that department. My initial reaction, on listening to this cd, was that it wasn't quite as strong as 'A Street Between Sunrise And Sunset', but, after further plays, I think this is, in fact, just as strong, but maybe not as immediate. The songs are instantly recognisable as Szadkowski songs, and I, for one, like his style. Doubtless, some critics would say he isn't varied enough, but why change when your style is so successful? As usual, the keyboards are a joy, with lovely melodies played behind the vocals, and atmospheric landscapes flooding the background, upon which the guitar fills in deliciously at times. The strongest tracks are the first two, 'Evening Games' in particular being a 16 min plus epic, with gorgeous changes in tempo, beautifully placed acoustic guitar parts, and really lovely guitar lines, all played in a pompous (in the best sense) epic way. Tremendous. This track would have fitted quite happily on the 'A Street' record. The second track is slower and shorter, but, again, beautiful, with a delightfully understated guitar solo, all the more effective for what it doesn't say. In fact, there are no weak tracks here, but, if I had to choose, my least favourite would be 'Why', probably because this is a slightly faster and heavier piece. This band is at its best when playing slow songs. 'Beautiful World', dedicated to the Beslan children, is almost a tear-jerker, and there is a moment, just after the last verse, when the keyboards kick in with a very, very simple, yet very, very effective line, lasting less than twenty seconds, when the hairs on the neck stand up. This band is one of the few class acts around for me, and, while it won't suit everyone's taste, particularly those who like challenging, and, at times, more discordant offerings, a la King Crimson or Gentle Giant, for those who like such bands as Pendragon, or even, in fact, the one and only Genesis, these come highly recommended!

Finally bought this CD not knowing what to expect. I'd heard Collage's MOONSHINE and to this day regard it as one of the best progressive releases (neo or whatever critics might say) in recent years. I knew SATELLITE came from the ashes of Collage and that was it. So I pop this puppy into my stereo and by the 2nd track was deeply rivited. This is very well written and composed music. A little dark but very, very well thought out and carried out even better. Wojtek Szadkowski is amazing. Both as a drummer (I play myself) and as a songwriter. Most of the other musicians were part of Collage and are all very talented. With Wojtek in full command this band is an improvement over the former. I'm not sure if it's the compositions (maybe they're more challenging) or a different environment that brings out the best in them but Satellite has acheived a great balance between the dark and light nature of progressive rock. Exciting, energetic and fresh. Bombastic and edgy yet melodic and beautiful at the same time. I would recommend this to anyone and don't forget to check out the DVD "Evening Dreams."

3.5 stars.This one is darker than their debut but other than that if you have heard the first one you know what to expect with this one.

The title track "Evening Games" with so many tempo shifts is the almost 17 minute epic on the album. I love the melody 3 minutes in. And there is a very good guitar solo followed by a keyboard solo. About 8 minutes in it's pure bliss with the fantastic chorus. What a way to open the record. "Never Never" features some aggressive vocals, and I like the long instrumental of synths and tasteful guitar.

"Rush" has some good ripping guitar in it after 4 minutes while the synths come in creating a tranquil mood to the end of the song. "Love Is Around You" is a mellow tune with gentle vocals, drums and piano.There is a long tasteful guitar solo towards the end of the song. "Why" has some unique guitar playing and lots of time changes. "Beautiful World" opens with a nice piano melody, and the melody of the chorus creates a relaxed and good feeling. "Evening Overture" featutes a heavy beat with guitar and synth solos. "Take It As It Is" is a nice song with beautiful vocals and piano and synths.

This is a really good record that isn't quite essential but well worth checking out.

It's hard to believe that Satellite could improve upon their debut, but, after a period of uncertainty, I have to say that they have done exactly that with "Evening Games", minus the bonus tracks.

This is an absolutely dense master produced work, dark in many parts, even metallic, yet dreamy too. It's not always clear what is being hinted at thematically from a lyrical perspective, but, in combination with the music, few albums have evoked as many images in my mind's eye. It is unique yet a familiar friend. I do not readily compare it to any other album or band.

The album opens with the absolutely stunning title track, which chugs along brilliantly for 17 minutes, through a variety of tempo and mood changes. Robert Amirian's voice has crept up in rawness and intensity but he also knows how to croon. Satellite doesn't content itself with verse-chorus-verse-chorus format but also understands that a song, however lengthy, is still a song, and it's all about the song. This is a lesson for other bands out there, and we are only on the first module.

"Never Never' is another beauty, about lost childhood and innocence, which seems to be the general gist of the album. The title no doubt derives from Peter Pan, but is a bit more jolting than the description might suggest. "Rush" lives up to its title and concept of moving from one activity to another in life without taking stock or savouring anything. It opens with a monster melody and rhythmic undercurrent which bobs back and forth throughout the piece, even after probably the wildest guitar solo of the whole disk.

Next we take a breather to soak in "Love is Around You", a sweet jazzy ballad that is this album's version of the somewhat lame "I'm Not Afraid" from "Street". Here they get it right, with gentle keys and guitar, and Amirian's best breathy voice. This segues into "Why", in some ways the heaviest piece on the album, but also with a recurring harmonic theme that contrasts with the metallic edges. Particularly effective is the break on acoustic guitar played in a Spanish style.

Now we get to a couple more epics, and this is where the improvement upon Satellite's first album is most apparent. Not because these masterpieces are better than, say "On the Run" or "Street Between..", which they are to some degree, but because of how they allude to previous themes so masterfully both from a lyrical and musical perspective respectively, in a way I have rarely seen before. This is not simply retread to hit you hard and remind you how good the first theme was, but a hearkening back, as if back to childhood, to that first innocent time, and to how one must let go, sometimes violently, sometimes peacefully. "Beautiful World" is the first, referring to a great tragedy in which schoolchildren were killed in Breslan as a case in point. The darkness of the event is depicted in the verses, but the coup de grace is when Amirian pronounces how the children went out to play their evening games and none returned! Then the symphonic passages and finally a majestic jam led by Sarhan. "Evening Overture" more directly channels the opening cut and could be considered Evening Games Part 2, if not quite as strong. Here previous musical themes stand sideways and yet soar.

The album proper concludes with the beautiful raw ballad "Take it as It is". I could take it a lot longer if they had chosen to elongate it. Amirian really hits the mark on this one, especially his line about "longing for winter again", and the goosebumps proliferate.

I have a strange feeling that The Satellite saga might be already over, but in 2 releases they have left us a remarkably rich legacy already. If you like your prog with contrasts but with an unwavering feel for beauty, you can't do much better than to make an evening game out of this album.

This album caused me a lot of headache moments and that's not because of bad music but has more to do with the rating I will have to give it. I listened to it at least ten times last two weeks but I'm still puzzled. Problem is that it's between the 4 and 5 star rating but I can't decide. Their debut A street between sunrise and sunset was a true masterpiece to me and this one comes close but is absolutely less but how much less ? Recently I read a review where the writer begged for the half star introduction. And that would really be the solution here. Besides, I had this problem with many other albums as well so I fully subscribe the suggestion, it's high time ! And now time for the review.

One thing I'm not too enthusiastic about is the mood it can bring you in. This album is much more gloomy than the almost cheerful debut album. Second important thing is that it's without an absolute masterpiecetrack like On the Run. Evening Games and especially Evening Overture are brilliant songs but not as good as On the run. So that's two minus for this second album and I can't think of any advantage compared to the debut. In that case it would have to be 4 stars but despite the two (minor) disadvantages I still believe this is very nearly a masterpiece effort and if I give it 4 stars I would do at least a bit injustice to Evening Games. On the other hand I will always be frugal with the masterpiece rating and since that's most important to me I will have to round this one down do 4 stars even though it's in fact 4.5.

For those who don't know it yet: Satellite is a very melodic neo prog band producing brilliant compositions. Albums by this band are simply a must have for true neo prog lovers.

Well, Satellite´s second album might have been a hard one for their members. After all, their debut was hailed as a masterpiece right from the start (which, by the way, it was). So the second effort would be ever compared by it. How to keep the standards? Would it be as good? After all they had proved they could outshine even their former band, the legendary Collage (who had a masterpiece of their own, with Moonshine). Expectations were very high indeed.

Well, the answer is simple: very good. Not a masterpiece, but still very good. A great feat, considering it was released in such a short time after the first one. there´s something magic about this outfit. It simply works! Great melocies, fantastic keyboards layers (Krzysiek Palczewski is one of prog´s best and most distinctive keyboards man nowadays), awesome drumming, emotional vocals, beautiful guitar parts. What else could I ask for? Ok, it has some flaws here and there. But the more I listen to it the more I like it.

Conclusion: another fine efford from one of prog`s most important bands of this new millennium. Just don´t compare it to their debut. It´s so hard to deliver a masterpiece in a lifetime, much less a year after achieving such goal. But, boy, does it come close!

The debut album of this Polish band was an excellent mix between neo-prog (a little bit) and symphonic music (the majority). I even considered it to one of the best album of the genre (four stars). Unfortunately, the excellent Mirek Gil is no longer present.

I wouldn't say the same about these "Evening Games". The overall feeling is too much alike "Genesis" ("And Then They Were Three" ) but with Gabrielesque vocals. An old story.

Several tracks are still very melodic and passionate. The best one from this work is without discussion the epic and title song. It features most of the characteristic of a great neo-prog song. Sarhan replaces Mirek brilliantly and he is truly passionate in this long track. At some point (mid-time), vocals are really moving and good old "Genesis" in their early days of their three era is rather close.

Apart from this song, it is not easy to find anything brilliant during these seventy-five (!) minutes of music. Some fine and lush keyboards, some emotional guitar breaks but the overall feeling is that all of these are déjà vu; and the vocals are too much of a second tier Gabriel.

There are also some weaker songs, close to the heavy style like "Rush" or "Why". This is an overall tendency these days: several bands are willing to play on the harder edge. I don't really understand this, although heavy or metal music has a lot of success nowadays and it might just be a commercial stuff.

Others are on the contrary on the mellowish side and not essential ("Love Is Around You"). But I guess that with such a title the band could hardly develop a wild beat. Same applies to "Beautiful World". This time, it sounds as if "Satellite" was willing to sound as "Marillion" (Hogarth version, unfortunately). Some very long and dispensable nine minutes as far as I am concerned.

The inspiration is almost gone during most of this album which is mostly saved by the excellent and long opening number. Some find melodies (I'll Follow The Rain), but this work sounds too much of the same all the LONG way through. IMO, this album is far behind their excellent debut.

Two stars.

Two years after their beautiful debut, Satellite return with a second album but without Mirek Gil on board, who went on to form Believe.Absent in the line-up is also bassist Przemek Zawadzki.They were replaced by bassist Piort Zaczek, while Sarhan took over both lead and rhythm guitars.''Evening games'' was released again on Metal Mind Records and became one of the most succesful rock albums in Poland.

And not just accidentally, as this one is an album that defines what modern Polish Prog is all about with Satellite's sound being synonymous to the term.The great 17-min. eponymous opener is propably the perfect example of this style.A mix of contemporary Symphonic Rock, COLLAGE-styled Neo Prog and Psych/Ambient/Space Rock, where power meets softness and roughness gives its place to delicacy.The rest of the album is certainly defined by this description.An album full of sudden breaks but always based in melody, where deep atmosphere is the undisputed king.Smooth parts with light guitars, sensitive warm vocal lines and soft piano burst radically into dynamic passages with powerful solos, grandiose keyboards and a symphonic attitude.And a big part of Satellite's sound is the alternation between normal and distorted vocals, the constant use of sound effects and the careful use of analog keyboards as well like organ and mellotron.The electric guitars have an evident PINK FLOYD vibe, especially in the solo parts, while COLLAGE's ghost seems to be all over the place due to the high quality of the musicianship, characterized by the grandiose synths, the elegant vocals of Amirian and the light symphonic sound.

Another huge album by this excellent Polish band, maybe a little better compared to their debut.Contemporary prog means ''Evening games'' to me and the album comes as an essential addition to any collection of a decent prog fan...4.5 stars.

Satellite's debut album had a really great cover but musically speaking was somewhat average; their second album, Evening Games, has a completely atrocious cover (seriously, what is it with bands accepting miserably poor CGI when an amateur DeviantArt artist could do better for cheaper?) but musically speaking is a bit of an improvement. The balance this time has swung more towards the band's symphonic and neo-prog side and less towards the spacey, ambient, almost dance music-inspired rhythms that underpinned the previous album (though they are still present here and there), and as a result that those who miss the old classic Collage sound will find it alive and well here.

That said, whilst it's certainly competently-delivered neo-prog, it isn't necessarily all that interesting as far as such stuff goes - you'll have heard a bunch of the motifs on here a ton of times before if you're a fairly well-seasoned neo-prog listener, and if you're not there's plenty of albums in the genre you should be giving your time to before you dive so deep as to be exploring this one.