STRUCTURA TORTURA

This is a musical project by fellow collaborator Igor, aka Prog-Jester, (playing guitar, drums, computer, head, heart, hands, feet, that sounds like a perfect blend of techniques, body and soul!) and a Russian friend Vitaliy. He send me this CD as a promo because he knows I am willing to write about lesser known and unknown progrock and I am also very curious to musical projects by fellow collaborators.

On this CD (from 2007, running time 60+ minutes) we can enjoy seven compositions (first 3 by Igor, other 4 by Vitaly) featuring varied musical landscapes. The emphasis is on creating atmospheres rather than odd and complex time signatures, dazzling solos or awesome interplay between guitar and keyboards. Most of the tracks sound dark and atmospheric with dreamy climates and slow rhythms like Amnesia (melancholic violin and fiery wah-wah drenched guitar), The Diary Of The Missed One (hypnotizing with fine pianoplay and lots of distorted guitar), Fly In A Glass (gradually more bombastic and compelling like Radiohead), the wonderful After A Rain (very warm climate with twanging guitar) and Come With Me On Wires (a sound collage). In the song The Fried Bull's Waltz we hear a raw and propulsive sounding guitar in an ominous atmosphere, then the music turns into more and more compelling with strong hints from the 'organized chaos' by early King Crimson, the final part delivers a beautiful strings sound. The most alternating composition is Art Saves/Kills, from atmospheric and dreamy with twanging guitar to bombastic with powerful drums/guitar riffs and propulsive with thunderous drums, very dynamic!

Congratulations Igor (and Vitaliy), a strong and promising effort! My rating: 3,5 stars.