NEW FAUST

One of my favorite albums of the last years is Return by the Russion formation Little Tragedies. So I was very excited to hear that they had just released a 2-CD, after a first listening session I can only conclude that Little Tragedies is a new progrock sensation! The focus is on the bombastic keyboard play, this man is obviously inspired by Keith Emerson featuring flashy synthesizer runs and swirling Hammond organ but he also delivers some delicate harpsichord play in more mellow parts. The interplay with the powerful, harder- edged guitar work is very exciting, it often sounds like a blend of ELP and Ayreon because of the heavy, propulsive guitar riffs and fiery, flowing guitar soli. The Russion vocals give an extra dimension to the music, it often reminds me of Hungarian progrock band Omega. Despite the two CD's and the long running time of some tracks (even at about 30 minutes), Little Tragedies never bores, I am sure that many progheads who love ELP, the keyboard driven Japanese prog like Gerard and Ayreon will be delighted about this outstanding, very exciting Russian formation!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

OK,firts of all,I ain't fan of ELP and keyboard-driven prog as a whole.And I didn't like the first one from MALENKIE TRAGEDIYI(Little Tragedies) as well.But the second one is much better!!!Despite the awful lyrics,which aren't fit here (edit:the matter of personal taste),the music has become less focused on keyboards only,and compositions are less boring (but 28 minutes of "Two Demons" is too much for me anyway!!!).Great melodical gift of Ilyin can be seen in keyboard-only tracks like "I am Tired to Be Around People","Margarita","Cup of Life" etc,reminding me of early LACRIMOSA a bit - strong melancholy feeling!!! Highly recommended for all Symphonic prog-lovers(even Prog-Metal devotees will find here some RIFFwork!!!) and Russian prog-newbies.For them it is a must

PS:"Confutatis" has astonishing intro!!!

TOP notch album

Little Tragedies is without doubt one of the best progressive rock bands Russia ever had and has of course. THier music is highly impressive in instrumental arrangem,ents with lots of tempo changes and excellent songwritting. New Faust from 2006 released at Mals is a great example of how Gennady Ilyin the main composer and the head of the band manage to understands music in our days and the final product is simply said excellent. New faust is a double album with almost 2 hours of music, but with all that long musical journy , this album for sure doesn't dissipointing at all, not a boring moment, quite contrary each piece is a total winner, with a plus on the epic closing number from first CD - Two Demons, just brilliant. Little Tragedies has a special way of combining symphonic prog elements with in places I can hear Dream Theater similarities, and special in keyboard departement. They incorporate in their symphonic overall sound some prog metal elements, the result is outstanding. Complicated arrangements with many and long instrumental passages, lots of superb guitar works and keyboards aswell, both Alexander Malakhovsky from guitar and Gennady Ilyin from keyboards and aswell voice are very skillful and gifted musicians and musicaly speaking they understanding each other very strong. Some passage sounds like they were extracted from Dream Theatre - Scene from a memory, very similar in aproach, but in the end not bad at all. New Faust is a fantastic album with many memorable parts that will pleases both symphonic prog listners as prog metal lovers aswell. Easy 4 stars, one of the best albums ever from Russia, this is solid as rock and goes recommended.