AMAROK

Poland became a quite prolific soil for progressive bands during recent years. Most importantly not only for those in the usual Marillion-Pendragon-Arena line but as well for some with really different sound like Riverside or Indukti for example. So here we have another one of these young talents coming from there. Michal Wojtas is a highly talented multi-instrumentalist and a dedicated fan of Mike Oldfield. That's why he gave this name to his band project. Influences from that famous paragon cannot be totally denied neither in his playing style nor in the kind of music offered here on their debut album. Most of the tracks are pure instrumental and up to a considerable proportion more in an acoustic vein. There are occasionally very pleasant female vocals. Especially instruments like piano, violin and flute are providing a nice symphonic atmosphere. At times when it's getting more into a rock vein like in "Massa" Wojtas' guitar play sounds a bit too much like Mark Knopfler, at least for my taste.

Though being not entirely my top favourite type of music I've to say that AMAROK's debut is really a quite notable one and should appeal to any fan of OLDFIELD or CAMEL. Not as interesting and innovative as Riverside or Indukti, but still better than the usual neo progressive standards. I'd add an extra half star if possible!

Well, nice surprise from Polland! Apart from some female wordless chanting on a couple of tracks, this a totally instrumental album, with lots of great guitar. Amarok is the personal project by Michał Wojtas, a very talented musician/songwriter that really knows how to produce great songs instead of the usual technique exercises that plague so many solo albums. I believe that the reader already figures out by his project name that Wojtas is quite influenced by Mike Oldfield. That is true. Fortunatly he is far from being a copycat. In fact, there are so many references to other guitarrists on this debut CD that Oldfield´s style is, in the end, just one of them. And not the most obvious.

The album is quite varied and although Wojtas is able to tackle several different kinds of music, this becomes an issue overall. The CD lacks a cohesive feel. Each track seems to be played by an individual artist, making it hard to see what is his sound after all. Even if no track here is bad, Amarok falis to show what he came for. Which is a pity because tehre are some real nice things on this record. Fieldmour I is certainly one of them. A powerful and poignant number where the use of both acoustic and electric guitar, violin, hammond organ and a powerful rhythm section is stretched to its maximum power. The result is one of those classic tracks that blends Pink Floyd, Mike Oldfield and Camel to make a classic 9 minute epic that you never get tired of hearing it. I just can´t get enough of that song!

The remaining tracks are not as brilliant, although its continuation Fieldmour II gets close to that. From then on we have several different guitar-led tracks that are mostly very good, but nothing that comes near the magic of its electrifying beginning. With nods to David Gilmour to Mark Knopfler, Wojtas shows great skills and fine songwriting. The production is very good and all the musicians involved do their parts well. Very little ego trips here.

Rating: hard to do it. It is certainly more than just good, but not really essential overall. I think a 3.5 stars rating is adequate. If you like melodic instrumental prog music, this is recommended. I´m looking forward to hear Amarok´s follow ups.