KRYWAN, KRYWAN

An argument could be made that Krywan, Krywan is Skaldowie's equivalent of Rush's 2112. In both cases you have bands who have have a certain amount of stylistic exploration in the years coming up to this release putting out an album whose first track is a well-received side-long progressive rock epic that represents the culmination of their musical efforts to date, whilst the second side consists of shorter, generally more poppier or straightforward numbers. Just take out the metal influences from Rush, add in Polish folk and classical music influences, and then plaster on thick doses of ELP-influenced organ and piano, and there you go.

Much like with 2112 - or, for that matter, Tarkus, which perhaps was on Skaldowie's record player when they were brainstorming this one - the end result is absolutely an album of two halves. The side-long epic is rather good; the second side is a bit less essential, though I found it at least more consistent than that of Tarkus. Three stars seems fair.