OMNI

Antony Kalugin has created a NeoProg concept album with the help of one of the finest lineups of Progressive Rock Hall of Famers. Two long inter-connected suites are the result.

A) "OMNI Part 1" (23:03) 1. "Omni Overture" (2:37) Why? Why did Antony decide to use Genesis' Duke opening to open this album? It's too blatant, even though it does expand upon the flow and direction of the original, but then it comes back to the pulsing "Duke's Travels" section before going Phil Collins with the blasts from the "horn section. (8.8.75/10) 2. "Storyteller (Part 1)" (4:29) interesting 1980s NeoProg with Richard Sinclair in the lead vocals and on the fretless bass while Michel St-Pere provides the New Wave guitar chords and sounds. (Think The Fixx's Jamie Oren-West, Simple Mind's New Gold Dream, or Re-Flex's "The Politics of Dancing" for the sound Michel uses). John Hackett's flute is notable but dismissive. When Michel starts to step up front for the lead guitar work at the end we are reminded of his power as a NeoProg guitar player. (8.875/10) 3. "Whispers from the Past" (3:28) 4. "The Spark" (5:45) the music continues as Salva's Per Malmberg steps up to the lead microphone. He sounds so much like someone from the late 1970s or early 1980s--someone quite distinctive (and good). Maybe the lead singer from the Canadian band PAYOLA$ ("Eyes of a Stranger"). (9.25/10) 5. "Masterplan" (5:18) 6. "Mirror of Souls" (1:24)

B) "OMNI Part 2" (22:42) 7. "Unchained" (5:44) beautiful and emotion-wrenching NeoProg is fronted by amazing performances from Mystery vocalist, Jean Pageau, and Inside The Sound guitarist, Max Velychko. Has the torch been passed from Marco Glühmann to Jean Pageau as the reigning greatest prog vocalist and that of the greatest NeoProg guitarist from Michel St-Pere to Max Velychko? (9.3333/10) 8. "The Cards We Play" (8:26) Antonin Kalugin, John Hackett, Richard Sinclair, Marco Glühmann, and Michel St-Pere: has there ever been a better "all-star" lineup? 'nuff said. (18.25/20) 9. "You and I" (3:52) nice NeoProg with Bartosz Kossowicz performing the FISH-like lead vocal with some real searing lead guitar work from Michel St-Pere. (8.875/10) 10. "Storyteller (Part 2)" (4:38) the final sounds like with Richard Sinclair, Bartosz and Antony sharing the multi-part lead vocal duties. Rather nice--even beautiful and emotive--if not innovative. (9.125/10)

Total Time 45:45

Despite not owning this album and, therefore, not being able to hear all of its songs (three songs covering ten minutes of the album's nearly 46 are unavailable for previewing on the album's Bandcamp page), I am going to post this review.

A-/five stars; a minor masterpiece of progressive rock music and a fine example of lush, high-quality modern NeoProg from one of prog's most prolific composer-musicians.

social review comments | Review Permalink
Posted Wednesday, March 12, 2025 | Review this album | Report (Review #3161990)

To put it into one word: BRAVO! Antony Kalugin has made one of his finest albums, and considering his excessive but always pretty inspired productivity that's amazing. In fact, I have, for some time, had a somewhat tired feeling for the endless flow of Kalugin/Karfagen/Sunchild releases in recent years, and I wasn't expecting to be truly impressed anymore. Gladly I was wrong. Omni has a unique identity among Kalugin's works, partly it's because of the international stellar cast of prog musicians, but also musically there's a breath of fresh air. Not that anything heard here wouldn't already be rather familiar from Kalugin's output. But the energy, dynamic balance, melodic power, indeed everything, has reached perfection on this symphonic and suitably pop-sensible and highly emotional neo prog album.

The whole flows extremely naturally and seamlessly. Two of the ten tracks, 1 and 6, are instrumentals that bookend the first suite (Omni Part 1 has six and Part 2 four pieces, and I'm glad they are separated on the CD display). The first guest vocalist is Richard Sinclair (Caravan, Hatfield and the North), the finest voice of Canterbury prog. Haven't heard of him in ages, so this is a very nice surprise.

On 'Whispers from the Past' Antony duets with Olha Rostovska, backed by Bartosz Kossowicz from the Polish neo prog scene (Collage, Quidam). This song reminds me of the atmospheric, calm songs of the later-day Steve Hackett. The more upbeat song 'The Spark' is sung (+ on guitars and bass) by Per Malmberg from Salva, unfamiliar to me. His tight voice has a shade of 80's pop, Tears For Fears and Midge Ure of Ultravox. The brief, moody second instrumental features Antony's keys, John Hackett's flute and Daniel Ilyin's electric violin.

The vocalist on the emotional 'Unchained' is Jean Pageau from the Canadian neo prog band Mystery. The flute opens the next passionate song sung by Marco Gluhmann from the German neo act Sylvan. Kossowicz offers lead vocals on 'You and I'. And on the final, serene piece Antony duets with Richard Sinclair.

Omni is a gorgeous, epic neo prog album that I believe a dedicated listener of the genre will greatly enjoy.

social review comments | Review Permalink
Posted Saturday, April 12, 2025 | Review this album | Report (Review #3177348)

OMNI PART I 1 ? Omni Overture - An instrumental song opening this first part of the suite that sums up the grandeur of this beautiful work. The incredible beginning of another classic by Mr. Kalugin. 2 ? Storyteller (Part 1) - A beautiful and sophisticated song featuring none other than Rich ... (read more)

Report this review (#3195830) | Posted by takorampa | Monday, June 16, 2025 | Review Permanlink

This alblum is masterpiece. Over time thjs went from4 stars to 5 I gave alblum many skins over last month Karfagen alblums neeed heard 6-7 mqny prog alblums need multiple listens soke hit u offf get go within 2-3 spins some need time. Second half I loved originally first half was not big on. ... (read more)

Report this review (#3191896) | Posted by Joe nathan Bassman | Saturday, May 31, 2025 | Review Permanlink

21st album from this keyboard-centric symphonic prog band led by the extremely prolific Ukranian musician Antony Kalugin. Although Karfagen releases at least one album, sometimes more, just about every year, this one is a bit different. First, although it is broken up into individual tracks, it play ... (read more)

Report this review (#3189235) | Posted by BBKron | Thursday, May 22, 2025 | Review Permanlink

KARFAGEN - OMNI (2025) Review by Roman Gorielov (https://linktr.ee/romangorielov) What can I say... Here is Antony Kalugin's new album, OMNI (2025). Let's listen - and think. The album cover sets the mood instantly. Its central triangular figure evokes classic prog imagery - clean, symbol ... (read more)

Report this review (#3187741) | Posted by Benny-Ptaha | Monday, May 19, 2025 | Review Permanlink

All Is One, and One Is Kalugin If anyone was still unsure about Antony Kalugin's place in modern symphonic prog, OMNI lands as a direct and elegant answer. There are no empty gimmicks or pretentious concept-dressing here. What you get is a solid, inspired, and — most importantly — coh ... (read more)

Report this review (#3187081) | Posted by Circuito_Prog | Friday, May 16, 2025 | Review Permanlink

Antony Kalugin created another beauty Karfagen's OMNI is a breathtaking progressive rock album that showcases the band's signature blend of rich melodies, dynamic instrumentation, and thoughtful composition. From the very first track, the album feels incredibly accessible ? a rare feat in the ... (read more)

Report this review (#3181718) | Posted by ironman2002 | Tuesday, April 29, 2025 | Review Permanlink

Karfagen's "OMNI" is not just an album it's a journey. A radiant, multi-layered voyage through soundscapes that feel both timeless and refreshingly new. From the very first notes, it's clear that this is a labor of love and vision, meticulously crafted by Antony Kalugin and the brilliant musicia ... (read more)

Report this review (#3180113) | Posted by ValeriyK | Tuesday, April 22, 2025 | Review Permanlink

KARFAGEN was initially noted for his MINIMUM VITAL and TRANSATLANTIC sounds, which brought a playful folk touch to his work. GENESIS, Mike OLDFIELD, UK, CAMEL, YES, GLASS HAMMER, and THE FLOWER KINGS are among his musical references, not to mention PROKOFIEV, GRIEG, and KORSAKOV for classical mu ... (read more)

Report this review (#3180078) | Posted by alainPP | Tuesday, April 22, 2025 | Review Permanlink

Wow? just wow. OMNI completely blew me away. From the very first notes, I felt like I was being taken on a journey through space, time, and memory. This album is melody in its purest form ? beautiful, rich, layered ? and every song feels like a chapter in some epic musical story. The voca ... (read more)

Report this review (#3178894) | Posted by MalenaRoss | Friday, April 18, 2025 | Review Permanlink

Congratulations, dear Antony! I truly hope OMNI brings you the respect you so clearly deserve! It's been amazing to witness all the progress you've made over the past few years. Releasing such an outstanding statement like OMNI is, without a doubt, a major success. And with this album, you've und ... (read more)

Report this review (#3178349) | Posted by Trinity S | Tuesday, April 15, 2025 | Review Permanlink

at certain times and points in an artists career if they are special they reach a eureka moment when something turns out to be bigger than the parts itself in nearly two decades now of being lucky enough to be onboard the good plane antony from take off to landing safely and into the glorious ... (read more)

Report this review (#3172332) | Posted by CAERLLYSI | Sunday, April 6, 2025 | Review Permanlink

Usually I wait to receive the physical copy before I write a review however this time I couldn't wait. I prefer to absorb the experience in my hands as well as my ears. Omni is the latest album by Karfagen not long after the solo effort of Antony Kalugin's 'Constellations'. As Antony mentions th ... (read more)

Report this review (#3166247) | Posted by Drmick1971 | Saturday, March 22, 2025 | Review Permanlink

In an era where progressive rock continues to evolve far beyond its roots, Karfagen's Omni emerges as a celebration of the genre's golden age and a bold theatrical journey all its own. The Ukrainian outfit, led by multi-instrumentalist Antony Kalugin, has crafted an album that not only pays homage t ... (read more)

Report this review (#3160424) | Posted by StAxel | Friday, March 7, 2025 | Review Permanlink

karfagen omni notes 1)Omni overture- the alblum suite starts off with amazing instrumental intro with keyboards what you expect out antony kalugin the ukranian tomas bodin of modern day. 2)story teller part 1- sounds like caravan meets camel in this amazing song with lil bit that canterbury ... (read more)

Report this review (#3160195) | Posted by ProgGuru | Wednesday, March 5, 2025 | Review Permanlink

MEMBERS LOGIN ZONE

As a registered member (register here if not), you can post rating/reviews (& edit later), comments reviews and submit new albums.

You are not logged, please complete authentication before continuing (use forum credentials).