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Abraxas - Centurie CD (album) cover

CENTURIE

Abraxas

 

Neo-Prog

3.96 | 115 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

ZowieZiggy
Prog Reviewer
5 stars I was really charmed with the first album of this very good Polish band and this second one is just another strong effort.

Their lead vocalist Adam Łassa is outstanding. When you listen to the passion that perspires from "Michel de Nostredame" you can just be full of admiration with his talent. Even if you can't understand a single line of what he is singing (but this aspect will be taken in charge with an English version of this album).

Subtle Spanish guitar notes, sweet vocals combined with some bombastic instrumental parts are an incredible mix. One of the best song of this album probably. It is a great song. Tout court. Whatever the genre involved.

Their debut album was rather on the hard edge (even metal IMO). This one is more melodic (even symphonic at times). During "Velvet", the smooth (mellow?) melody, the warm and languishing keyboards and the very melancholic vocals during are such a marvel.

When it is not on the vocal side, some other magic is showing up. Like those sweet flute notes or the great guitar work during "Excalibur". Each piece of music holds its passionate moments. And this is the main reason why I praise this band so much. Some metal riffs in the last section are a follow-up to their work on "Cykl Obraca Sie" (their first album).

These metal sounds are back on track on "Kuznia" : a very short song (less than two minutes) and somewhat weaker than usual. But, let's not be to difficult. So far, it is the first time that one can be critical.

The band is quickly reaching new heights with "Czakramy". The first long piece here. It is full of diversity and rhythm changes. As usual, Adam is so convincing during his vocal part. He is really brilliant. I guess that to be able to convey such an emotion in a difficult language (for a French native speaker as I am) is the proof that this guy has an enormous potential. Synthesizers are plenty during "Czakramy" and the end sounds rather apocalyptical.

This band perfectly combines harmonious and very melodic vocals (their definite strong point, no doubt) with brilliant prog metal. I mentioned this already, but if you happen to be a fan of "Riverside", this band is really worth your attention. They paved the way without any doubt. Just listen to the whispering voice during "Pokuszenie" and you'll know where Mariusz Duda got part of his inspiration.

This song is another complex one. Heavy sounds mixed with almost classic piano and sublime guitar work (similar in a way to the best of Nick Barrett from Pendragon). Twelve minutes of delicacy, passion and beauty. The absolute highlight, for sure.

I am always quite reluctant to rate an album with five stars. Less than ten percent of my reviews reach that level which is just normal I think (and I have started them with the giants so this number will inevitably decrease in the future). This album is so great from start to finish that I can't really rate it with four stars. The extreme joy that emanates from "Nantalomba" is a wonderful way to close this magnificent album.

Five stars. A fantastic album.

ZowieZiggy | 5/5 |

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