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SUNCHILD

Crossover Prog • Ukraine


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Sunchild biography
Founded in Kharkiv, Ukraine in 2008

SUNCHILD is yet another prog project from talented and prolific Ukrainian musician Antony KALUGIN. KALUGIN currently records under three band names, KARFAGEN, HOGGWASH and SUNCHILD. Under the SUNCHILD name, he brought together a plethora of other Ukranian musicians to supplement his impressive keyboard and writing talents. The music is an all out prog feast with many varied tempos and loads of keyboards washing over everything. A wide array of horns and woodwinds are used to great extent as well. KALUGIN does the bulk of the singing (in English) with perhaps a slight accent. He also brings in guest vocalists, both male and female to add even more dimensions to the proceedings. The debut album is a double that features three songs over 16 minutes.

KALUGIN is young (born 11 Feb 1981) but his already wide experience as a professional musician has propelled him to a high place among young artists recording prog today.

biography by John Mattern (johnobvious) with thanks.

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SUNCHILD discography


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SUNCHILD top albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

3.99 | 138 ratings
The Gnomon
2008
3.96 | 111 ratings
The Invisible Line
2009
3.96 | 127 ratings
The Wrap
2010
4.05 | 243 ratings
As Far as the Eye Can See
2011
3.89 | 148 ratings
Isolation
2012
3.73 | 73 ratings
Synesthesia
2015
3.93 | 154 ratings
Messages from Afar - The Division and Illusion of Time
2018
4.20 | 89 ratings
Exotic Creatures and a Stolen Dream
2023
3.27 | 22 ratings
Time and the Tide
2023

SUNCHILD Live Albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

4.50 | 8 ratings
Sunchild / Karfagen / Hoggwash: Live in France 2012
2015

SUNCHILD Videos (DVD, Blu-ray, VHS etc)

0.00 | 0 ratings
Sunchild / Karfagen / Hoggwash: Live in France Bootleg 2012
2012

SUNCHILD Boxset & Compilations (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

4.80 | 5 ratings
Sunchild & Hoggwash: Gnomology
2015
4.70 | 11 ratings
Time and the Tide (Deluxe Edition)
2023

SUNCHILD Official Singles, EPs, Fan Club & Promo (CD, EP/LP, MC, Digital Media Download)

4.00 | 3 ratings
Glimpse of Love
2015
3.50 | 2 ratings
Outer Space
2015
4.00 | 1 ratings
The Reason Why
2015
4.00 | 3 ratings
Searching Diamonds
2018
0.00 | 0 ratings
Life Lines
2022
0.00 | 0 ratings
Northern Skies
2022

SUNCHILD Reviews


Showing last 10 reviews only
 Exotic Creatures and a Stolen Dream by SUNCHILD album cover Studio Album, 2023
4.20 | 89 ratings

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Exotic Creatures and a Stolen Dream
Sunchild Crossover Prog

Review by Art for Rock

5 stars Great artwork - was hooked by it. Than i was blowned away by the music. 2 tracks only... but what a tracks! 2 fantastic epics (i have it on a Vinyl as well!!! - lovely blue splatter edition) I read that Antony wants to continue Karfagen project only because of sales... and because Karfagen is more wellknown and i don`t know why... "Exotic Creatures and a Stolen Dream" together with "Passage to the Forest of Mysterious" are amongst my favs of 2023!!! I was happy to see Karfagen live in Hannover and to listen to "Northern Skies" live - wow - it`s a prog hit epic, with bits of A-HA ))) Supertramp and even Queen and of course Karfagen )) "Life Lines" is a majestic piece of art , like the "Birds of Passage and the Enchanted Forest" in Karfagen from this year. If your are a fan of Karfagen and never heard this album than you`ve missed a lot! Go and check it out - this album is another 5 stars release in my list! Enjoy!
 Exotic Creatures and a Stolen Dream by SUNCHILD album cover Studio Album, 2023
4.20 | 89 ratings

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Exotic Creatures and a Stolen Dream
Sunchild Crossover Prog

Review by BrufordFreak
Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

5 stars The first release of Antony Kalugin's Sunchild project in five years (after a string of seven in the previous ten years). This comes as little surprise as Antony is (and has been) one of Prog World's busiest and most prolific artists.

1. "Life Lines" (26:26) quite the NeoProg lite production--even bordering on religious rapture--compositional sophistication with excellent musicianship and great sound production throughout. The first reminds me of MOON SAFARI and THE FLOWER KINGS. From the seven-minute mark to 10:50 I'm reminded of KNIGHT AREA (and The Flower Kings). From the 11-minute mark to there's a EDDIE JOBSON quality to it, but then the vocals in the 14th minute make it slide back into the psuedo-religious MOON SAFARI feel of the opening section with some elements reminiscent of Mark Truek's UNITOPIA. The "heavier" motif of the sixteenth minute has some Focus and even Eloy elements but then the Hendrix riff of the seventeenth minute takes us into a vocoder voice and Yes harmonized vocals before some Rick Wakeman melodies and riffs. The motif of the 19th minute is rather late Pink Floyd-like. The calm of the 20th minute feels so TFK--even leading to one of Roine Stolt's signature low-key conspiratorial vocal sections (which is also very like David Gilmour's singing/vocal style). I love the accordion in any prog song but the brief appearance in the 22nd minute feels to contrived--as if the band is making a Mike Oldfieldian effort to throw every instrument available into the song--simply for the sake of saying it's there. Luckily, it reappears in the 23rd minute, albeit in the background. Overall, this is a very likable, inoffensive, well-put-together epic. Unfortunately, lyrically (and, somewhat, musically) it feels almost too imitative of The Flower King's 59-minute masterpiece, "Garden of Dreams," from their 1999 release, Flower Power. (45/50): - a) Timeless Motion - b) Wings of the Storm - c) The New Day Dawning - d) In the Garden of Hope - e) Beautiful Creatures - f) Crimson Queen - g) The Tide

2. "Northern Skies" (14:14) electric piano backs Antony's David Gilmour/Roger Waters voice impressions before more computer keyboard generated sounds work their way in. At the very end of the second minute the full rock band jumps in as female vocalists lead in the chorus. It's almost too beautiful (like a saccharine Christian rock song). Nice guitar solo from Alexandr Pavlov. Strong, soulful female vocal in the lead during the fifth minute. I like the HARMONIUM-like ("Dixie") saloon piano in the sixth and eighth minutes. The melodies and singing style begin to feel as if borrowed from the American band AMBROSIA. The nine-minute mark marks a return to the opening motif only, cleverly using treated electric guitar arpeggi in the fore instead of electric piano. Again, this is a very likable, inoffensive, well-put-together epic--even if it does plod along a bit. There are elements of this song (like the eleventh minute and female vocals) that I like better than anything in the album's other epic, but then there are some that feel rather common and banal. (27.5/30): - a) Only in Wildest Dreams - b) In the Valley of a Stolen Dream - c) Haunted Visions - d) Under the Northern Skies

Total Time 40:40

You won't find more accessible NeoProg than this.

A-/five stars; a minor masterpiece of NeoProg--something most prog lovers will thoroughly enjoy adding to their music collection.

 The Gnomon by SUNCHILD album cover Studio Album, 2008
3.99 | 138 ratings

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The Gnomon
Sunchild Crossover Prog

Review by Prog Network

3 stars Released in 2008, "The Gnomon" features moments of creativity that hint at the band's potential for future success. The instrumentation is varied, drawing from different styles and influences, which adds a unique layer to the sound. However, the album overall struggles with inconsistency and a lack of cohesion. Certain transitions feel abrupt, disrupting the flow and making the listening experience feel disjointed. While some tracks make a strong impression, others are forgettable, and a few even fall flat, contributing to the album's uneven quality.

At over 90 minutes, the album may lose the listener's attention by the end. It might have been more effective if the best moments were condensed into a single, tighter release. In conclusion, "The Gnomon" showcases Antony Kalugin's talent, but its length and inconsistency hold it back from reaching its full potential.

 Exotic Creatures and a Stolen Dream by SUNCHILD album cover Studio Album, 2023
4.20 | 89 ratings

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Exotic Creatures and a Stolen Dream
Sunchild Crossover Prog

Review by runciblemoon

3 stars The absurdly prolific Anthony Kalugin returns with the eighth album under his Sunchild moniker. Musically, the differences between Sunchild and Kalugin's best-known project Karfagen are pretty slim, the chief one being an increased emphasis on vocals, and with it, a penchant for radio-friendly melodies (albeit often presented in far from radio-friendly forms).

On this one we have just two lengthy suites (plus a couple of short bonus tracks), that immediately transport the listener with dreamlike fluidity. These are not just long songs, but purposefully unhurried ones. Yes, there's a little bite to the electric guitars at times, but for all its implied grandeur, this album is for the most part a serene, meditative listening experience - comfort prog at its absolute comfiest.

If you're looking for something revolutionary and challenging, this ain't it. But if, like me, you sometimes need an album just to get you through another dreary day in the office - something that's light and reassuring, but with just enough proggy heft to hold your attention - then "Exotic Creatures and a Stolen Dream" might just do the trick.

 Exotic Creatures and a Stolen Dream by SUNCHILD album cover Studio Album, 2023
4.20 | 89 ratings

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Exotic Creatures and a Stolen Dream
Sunchild Crossover Prog

Review by Drmick1971

5 stars 'Exotic Creatures and a Stolen Dream' is the first Sunchild album since 'Messages from Afar: the Division and Illusion of Time' in 2018 which was the first of Antony's projects I ever pre-ordered. Antony has mentioned that this new album took him four years to make. We have been lucky that other many releases from his solo and Karfagen projects have come out in the interim. From the start, I think this album shines and shines and shines. The production is clean and crisp, every instrument and note can be clearly heard. Igor Sokolskiy provides another rich and fantastic challenging piece of art for the cover.

The album consists of two epic songs, 'Life Lines' (26.26) and 'Northern Skies' (14.14) followed by shorter excerpts containing Single editions. The lyrics written by Will Mackie and Antony Kalugin have the ability to be interpreted by the listener in whatever meaning they perceive. I myself find the meaning of freedom prevalent. The freedom of action, the freedom of choice and the freedom of thought. The lyrics also seems to be a continuation from the Karfagen album 'Land of Green and Gold'. 'Life Lines' begins with cinematic and symphonic keyboards followed by the full impact of the band including lightning electric guitars, thunderous drumming and full throttle keyboards. The singing starts at about the 2.30 minute mark with the first theme. The singing reminds me of the same tone as the 'Seven Gates' song from the Karfagen album '7'. This has interludes of wonderful instrumentation of impressive keyboards, layers of synthesiser and classical piano. As with epic songs, there are waves of ebbs and flows with portions of elegant calmness, exquisite acoustic guitar, deep drums and bass lines along with the flows of driving Hammond like organs and soaring electric guitars. A welcome staccato guitar comes in amongst further singing and bombastic drums and I must give credit to the nylon guitar playing of Alexandr Pavlov. Beautiful undertones of electric guitar and accordion succeed with the classy use of saxophone with three minutes to go leading into the climactic finish.

'Northern Skies' starts straight away with Antony's calming vocals and piano. Glorious orchestral moments pervade and phenomenal background vocals by both Maria Panasenko and Olga Rostovska with strength and grace. There's a heavy softness to this song that I love. A lovely paradox that enhances the musical experience.

Antony's many layers of varying keyboards delivers not only a strong foundation but also announces his flare of improvisation and genius musicianship. The other band members have to reciprocate at this highest of levels to complete the successful recording of this album. Of which they do achieve.

This may not only be the best of all the Sunchild albums but maybe the best of all of Antony's other projects. This really is a stunning. It is melodious, flowing effortlessly with waves of all colours and tones to the ear. The whole album is a positive light that transcends.

 Time and the Tide (Deluxe Edition) by SUNCHILD album cover Boxset/Compilation, 2023
4.70 | 11 ratings

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Time and the Tide (Deluxe Edition)
Sunchild Crossover Prog

Review by CAERLLYSI

5 stars WOW ; This is magnificent Four great Sunchild albums remastered and complete with over 80 minutes of bonus tracks in a beautiful digipak format presentation, three of the albums have been out of print for more than two years with two of them for more than four years, by popular demand Antony is now via Caerllysi Music offering them in a five star deluxe limited edition set.

The outstanding live performances recently across western Europe by Antony and his musicians besides receiving plaudits galore from fans and event organisers alike there was constant praise for songs they played that have been out of print for several years, as it happens Antony and Will had already been talking during the working of the new studio release 'Exotic Creatures' the need to repress once again these four excellent and very successful releases so that fans of Antony's music who have come on board in recent years could own the physical CD's themselves as they were only available via download, so Antony set about the time consuming task of remastering all four original albums as well as working on over 80 minutes of bonus material alongside some stunning new artwork and a high quality presentation digipak, the outcome is everything they wished for and a fabulous gift to you his fans They remind us of the continuing crazy high standard of music that he has put together now for almost two decades be WARNED its limited edition so make sure you get yours before its too late 5 stars .

 Exotic Creatures and a Stolen Dream by SUNCHILD album cover Studio Album, 2023
4.20 | 89 ratings

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Exotic Creatures and a Stolen Dream
Sunchild Crossover Prog

Review by MalenaRoss

5 stars It's an excellent and successful return of Sunchild by genius Antony Kalugin. Despite such a terrible time for Antony's native country, he continues to create such an amazingly bright and light pieces of art. The album consists of two main tracks ? Life Lines and Northern Skies and four bonus tracks, 2 of which is a Single versions of basic pieces. Life Lines ? 26 minutes epic ? possibly one of the best Kalugin's art works with its own face, power and identity. Northern Skies can be listened endlessly. As Antony reviewed, this song is dedicated to our beloved ones, who has passed away. This is proper powerful melodic prog rock ballad without a doubt. Magnificent emotional song with great Floydian Kalugin's vocal. Also its a nice surprise to hear an appearance of Maria Panasenko on vocals. Without a doubt 5 stars album and my recommendations for listening.
 Exotic Creatures and a Stolen Dream by SUNCHILD album cover Studio Album, 2023
4.20 | 89 ratings

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Exotic Creatures and a Stolen Dream
Sunchild Crossover Prog

Review by SilverLight59

4 stars "AND there is a chance that one day you might write a standard lads, so churn them out quick and fast". Antony Kalugin certainly subscribes to this school of thought. Under his own name, as well as the projects Hoggwash, Karfagin, and Sunchild, he turns out consistently elevated music at an incredible pace. While prog isn't likely to turn out any 'standards', there is always the potential to create a work that will stand apart in his catalogue and be especially memorable. In my opinion, this may be the one for Antony.

Why so? As other reviewers have already stated, it picks up all the influences of symphonic prog that drew most of us to the genre to begin with, great guitar work, fabulous keys, and numerous other supporting instruments. The main tracks are lengthy and full of twists and turns, ups and downs, power and delicateness. While the two main tracks are constantly evolving there is a nice cohesiveness. There is a sense that you pick something new out with each listen which keeps you coming back for another play.

Another item of interest is the cover art which is very nice. For me, the art, if it is engaging, and meaningful (even if open to interpretation), always affects my perception of the music. In addition, this work does not overstay its welcome. It is an old-fashioned album length of about 40 minutes. Absolutely no filler here! Definitely leaves you wanting more, not wondering when it's going to end.

This brings me to my next thought. There has been some question as to the differences between his self-named works, and his other projects. I am not familiar with Hoggwash so won't touch that one, but it seems that the difference of the others as I see it is as follows. His self-named Antony Kalugin works, to me, come across as mostly instrumental, generally very mellow bordering at times on prog ambient and or light prog jazz rock.

Karfagin, which was my initial introduction to Antony's music, namely the "Dragon Island" suite, tends to come across more symphonic but leaning heavily on denser and more prog rock themes with more lyrics, but still sparsely interspersed.

Sunchild, on the other hand, while still symphonic, is definitely more prog rock oriented, even prog pop at times, with a considerably more extensive amount of lyrics. This appeals to me the most as I tend to be more song (with lyrics) oriented and I think this makes albums more accessible to those that may be checking out Antony's work for the first time.

Clearly, many find Antony's singing to be a bit of a weakness, citing a bit of an accent, and perhaps a bit limited range, but personally I like his voice a lot. He has his own sound, not at all unpleasant, and at times sounds a bit (or even a lot) Floydian. And, as has been noted by other reviewers, he shares the vocal duties with others that rounds out the overall sound and emotion of the music quite well.

For anyone not familiar with Antony's works (is this actually possible?) this is a great place to start. As some may say, there may be a certain amount of safety in his work, a certain amount of familiar ideas and themes, but they are spun around and presented in a way that is fresh and never boring. You will hear nice influences from the past and modern embellishments that will be most enjoyable. Give it a spin. You won't be disappointed! So, no new standard here, but one of Antony's best for sure. A solid 4 stars without question.

 Exotic Creatures and a Stolen Dream by SUNCHILD album cover Studio Album, 2023
4.20 | 89 ratings

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Exotic Creatures and a Stolen Dream
Sunchild Crossover Prog

Review by Negoba
Prog Reviewer

3 stars Well Crafted, Classic Prog Vibes with Few Surprises

Exotic Creatures and a Stolen Dream is a wonderful chance for lovers of classic prog to sink themselves in new material. Chief architect Antony Kalugin is clearly a very skilled craftsman of song and instrumentation. This album hits all the usual boxes - epic length compositions, lots of keyboards, soaring guitar solos, extended storylines, theatric delivery, you get the picture. Others have mentioned Flower Kings and Spock's Beard and this album definitely sits in that range of the genre. I also get some Phideaux vibes (though I find that artist a lot more evocative.)

The album is essentially two epics. The longer first track, "Life Lines" shoots straight down the middle in so many ways. Mid-tempo, relatively mellow moods, no big risks. As a result I find the composition extremely pleasant but not very memorable. While very well executed, everything we get has been done before. The second song, "Northern Skies" is more brooding, a little slower, and I connect with it emotionally to a much greater extent. Female vocals (both lead and backing) feature more prominently and definitely add depth. The breadth of moods in the music is much broader here as well, and hold my attention to a greater degree. (As a complete aside, there is a little melodic element that quotes the theme to "Cheers" which cracks me up every time it goes by.) Some of the sections are little more quirky, more whimsical. Still epic, it's a much better song, but still doesn't take huge risks or present anything truly surprising.

I could see myself putting "Northern Lights" on a Prog 2023 Playlist. Scratches the classic prog itch well.

 Exotic Creatures and a Stolen Dream by SUNCHILD album cover Studio Album, 2023
4.20 | 89 ratings

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Exotic Creatures and a Stolen Dream
Sunchild Crossover Prog

Review by alainPP

5 stars SUNCHILD was born in 2008, another project by Antony KALUGIN, showing the extent of his talents as a composer. A sound at the crossroads of stored sounds of yesteryear, reworked to leave for flowery bucolic lands; varied tempos where the keyboard takes the lion's share; a symphonic sound more fruity rock than on KARFAGEN, more MINIMUM VITAL, less TRANSATLANTIC, less folkloric, with 3 guitarists to take up the keyboard battles. 4 years of work and this two-part album comes out on various reminiscences of YES, CAMEL, SUPERTRAMP and GENESIS in the background. Progressive, luminous, light, airy and catchy music.

"Life Lines" begins at the crossroads of a YES and GENESIS, symphony on the ubiquitous keyboards, a calmer voice than on a KARFAGEN, which refers to the works of the FLOWER KINGS above all; yessian break from 5 minutes with a squirian bass and a piano worthy of a SUPERTRAMP; horns, oboe, it comes from everywhere on a fresh air, modern and vintage at the same time, quite disconcerting; Antony on the vocals avoids getting lost in his meandering notes, the twirling air with choirs and borderline hard guitars suddenly brings back the scent of PINK FLOYD. The last quarter is intended to be more folkloric, however, with accordion sounds, then sax, then guitar solos that we must not forget, which give depth to this river title. "Northern Skies" from its intro reminds me of David GILMOUR that's how it is; the piano flirts with the SUPERTRAMP sound, that is to say the progressive intention, warm female choirs and an epic tune, I read 'stage anthem', I easily confirm; it goes up on grandiloquent progressive, like a bouquet of artifice with a Charisma label sound all of a sudden, between SHELLER and GENESIS, stunning because I hear a bit of MAY's guitar there just before returning to a more oldies sound; last third with a dark vocal break, phrasing voice and cozy atmosphere with plaintive sax and again the frenzied choirs of Olha and Maria for the soft finale, to listen to again!

4 bonuses including 2 tracks taken from major pieces and "Timeless Motion" for? the cover with sax, syrupy intro on OLDFIELD, YES with the guitar of Steve HOWE. "Northern Lights" title oh so located on the ambient, the melody; moment of cinematic musical space with the magic synths of Antony, a counterpart to the following single, "Northern Skies" taken up as a short title to play on the radios?. Ah no, I had forgotten that in France good music no longer has its place; Enough of palaver, the sound à la William SHELLER who also worked well in the prog, a title where the choirs warm the air. "Life Lines" as a short title for new prog fans who are looking for the prog soul without wanting to immediately plunge into its meanders, to help glimpse the sub-chapters of the flagship title in which one can get lost if one does not fix not the right light.

SUNCHILD releases a prog album on two long titles leaving, returning, bifurcating, surfing on the oh so controversial era of the progressive movement. Symphonic and melodic pieces with long breaks in a luxurious digipack with posters, for fans of the old days when time was taken. An album that is piling up in the demonic catalog of Antony, a true goldsmith of the 10 fingers. More voices that irremediably differentiate it from KARFAGEN, more lyrical sense and melodies that show that today's prog, while gorging on old reminiscences, can still move people. I who think that prog owes its survival only thanks to metal, I understand that there are exceptions like this superb album, messy but melting, remarkable. To see if it will hold the road during the year.

Thanks to dean for the artist addition. and to NotAProghead for the last updates

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