THE KEEPER OF AN HOURGLASS

Second release of this little known prog act from Russia, issued in 2014 and named The keeper of an hourglass. Very pleasent and enjoyble album at the same level with predecessor, symphonic prog elements melted with folky parts, eclectic manuvres all well constructed and well played. The music is well structured, classically-influenced compositions, with nice arrangements and great keybords parts, and one hell of a great voice coming from Irina Surina who only is behind the mic on two pieces - The Confession Of A Witch and Tranquilly And Uneasily, the best pieces from here, absolutly great tunes, the rest are more then ok. To me this album is one of the best from russian prog in last years, and I think they need a far more recognition, they are more intresting then many bands with name from this field. Now, the cover art is excellent like the whole booklet of the cd, nice drawings, who gives a realy solid visual content. I'll give 4 stars for sure, very solid and intresting.

Russian band THE GROUP 309 is the creative vehicle of composer and musician Andrey Pishchulov, initially conceived to give life and music to the poetry of writer Dashi Yashenko, which resulted in the debut album "Dreams of Sea" in 2010. "The Keeper of an Hourglass" is the second full-length recording by the band, released by the Russian label MALS Records in 2014.

The manner in which The Group 309 blends elements from vintage symphonic progressive rock, hard rock and atmospheric neo-progressive rock into a whole results in a likable and compelling production. Perhaps not the kind of album ardent fans of the more challenging aspects of progressive rock will be intrigued by, but those with an ear and a feel for accessible, melodic progressive rock should find the charms of this CD rather alluring, I'd surmise.