WAR AND PEACE

PANDORA SNAIL, a fairly new Russian prog band, was recently added to the "Eclectic Prog" sub genre of Prog Archives. The group, after numerous personnel changes, currently consists of Ulyana Gor (keyboards, composer) , Oleg Gorgadze (guitar, composer), Vsevolod Shuvalov (drums), Kirill Klushin (bass guitar) and Artem Gareev (violin), have had their first album, "War and Peace" released on a Moscow label "ArtBeat" in 2015, and I was approached and asked to write a review of it.

Pandora Snail was formed by professional musicians in Saint-Petersburg in 2008, with the majority of the compositions on the first album by Ulyana Gor, the band leader, who has a classical grand piano education. The PA bio sites varied influences QUEEN, RAHMANINOV, KING CRIMSON, and "most of the progressive rock of the early 70s". Below is a track by track analysis of "War and Peace".

Dilemma-An upbeat introduction to this album, what immediately impressed me was the prominent violin playing interweaving itself, and in some ways reminiscent of the violinist Thomas Schmitt of the seventies German prog band PELL MELL, a definite plus. As the music unfolds, the other musicians come more to the fore, with a unique intermeshing that really moves forward. There is some lovely, eloquent music here, harmonics displayed that never lose their forward flow or direction. These are serious, talented musicians, no doubt about it.

By The Mountain River-A lyrical, and wondrous musical unfolding, beginning most notably by the guitar and violin, and then comes some virtuoso keyboard as well. Again, there is, in part, a PELL MELL vibe here, which is great.

To Catch The Wind-Beautiful synth work ushers in this song, and then with a KING CRIMSON-like intensity the rest of the band kicks in. They are on fire here. The bass guitar work is especially riveting, and there is a crowd in the background. The violin work is, again, exemplary, and the drummer lets loose here, as well. Pandora Snail blast you, but move you at the same time.

Submarine-They slow things down here with some lovely guitar and keys playing. Then, some very European sounding violin just at the right moment. Actually, each musician's sense of timing is impeccable here. About one third of the way though, things pick up here, with some stunning violin and keys playing that leaves you breathless. Dutch band SOLUTION come to mind, in a way, though SOLUTION had not much violin in their sound.

James Point-Some fast chord changes propel this song forward, then with violin leading, things get a bit moody. There is some spot on organ work, reminiscent of the seventies prog scene in a way. Then harmonics between guitar, keys, and violin. Pandora Snail get quite raunchy in places here, and this music really travels.The rhythm section is really tight, and later, the violin makes it's presence really felt, throughout the heavy and hard guitar riffing. In the middle comes some eloquent,and simply delightful solo piano-such style- Pandora Snail lose my focus a bit, but then pull me back into this storm of music. Things are sometimes to the point of early 70s BIRTH CONTROL in the involving intensity of things. At the end is an organ piece that slowly whithers away.

Mother's Tears-Such searching violin and piano-very moving, and then drums, etc, kick in. Drums and bass hold their own with the other musicians. Some especially fine violin and keys playing, as always. The rhythm chugs along with things, as well.

Red Rivers-An almost gypsy-like violin leads and hammers out things here at a frenetic pace, with everybody else keeping pace! The drummer never plays a thing out of line.

Stone's names-Starting at a somewhat nervous pace, driven along by the drums and percussion, there is not a single note out of order by Pandora Snail here. In the middle is some really good guitar-this song is played tight.

Dance Under The Bullets- Some quirky time changes start things with the drums and bass tight and totally "in sync"while the violin and keys soar high over things getting quite frenetic near the end, kind of reminiscent of MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA in a way.

After The War-Kind of a brooding darkness, but as things progress, the group kind of pull you out of that with a shocking intensity. Then dark and brooding, again and a return to the fire-like intensity-for a bit-then things die down.

Satori-A kind of sadness ushers in this composition with great feeling. Then, zap!, you are travelling, led by the violin and keys highlighting the musical journey. About one third of the way, it's the turn of the guitarists to shine. There is a unity in this composition which is a fitting way to end things.The latter half of Satori is so tightly played, it is quite something. Near the end is a kind of musical "farewell", along with voice.

War and Peace is quite remarkable, especially since it is a first recording, and that Pandora Snail's musicians are experienced and professional is evident from start to finish. I am quite impressed. 4 stars.