THE WIND, THE TREES AND THE SHADOWS OF THE PAST

Phenomenal album. I can't thank the prog-metal team enough for getting this one added. What a perfect little album from Moscow. Pure atmosphere and beauty. If this is where Russian metal is heading I'm on board. The length is a perfect 40 minutes and its all great. (Not all of us think 75 minutes is preferable.) It's true that this is in the Agalloch and Opeth arena if you must categorize, but I like it better than Agalloch because it has more variation in mood and more interesting animated playing. It is very rich and rewarding, seeming to focus most of all on interesting dual guitar playing that just gets better and better. The musicians are great but they focus on mood and melody over complex wankery, don't look for PoS or DT theatrics.

It begins with a short "Intro" in which we hear the wind blowing quite wickedly. Then we kick into "The Wind" with some mid tempo chug. It picks up speed and the visual you get from the music is a storm blowing in, the clouds getting darker and darker as they blow in fast. Finally the vocals arrive and they are of the extreme variety. But don't get frightened off because the album is mostly instrumental. I don't like growls either as I find them juvenile and emotionally one-dimensional, but honesty, the growling occurs on only two of the three long songs and doesn't ruin either one at all. After quite a bit of rocking there is a nice section of bass guitar and acoustic. Drumming is always tasteful and perceptive.

"The Trees" begins with rain and thunder dancing in the background. The guitar plays the sound of fog before the dual guitars kick in, one playing great lead melody and the other crunchy chords in a majestic mood. The pace picks up a bit when the vocals kick in. Then a nice break with dual acoustics that bring the album cover image to your mind. God this is beautiful stuff. More electric layered guitar harmonies that is uplifting despite the harsh vocals. This track is a guitar lovers dream. More rain and thunder at the end.

"The Shadows of the Past" begins with dual acoustic guitars and subdued drumming and bass, simply wonderful ambience. Vocals are clean on this track and very pleasant. This is the longest track and it stretches out nicely to explore some very nuanced distorted chords and atmospheres. Definitely ambient metal here. Lovely and very proficient acoustic ending with the howling winds leading into the "Outro." I resent this being called "doom" metal because while it does sound melancholic, I hear great hope and the healing powers of nature in the vibe of this album. You can get this fine album very reasonably priced at http://store.solitude-prod.com/ . Once there, click on BadMoodMan Music.

Essential for metal fans and highly recommended for all guitar rock fans. Perfect hypnotic progressions, perfect execution of the conceptual themes. Dream away.

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