PIESEň Z HÔľ

For their second album the band has added some violin, not a lot though. Also the synths take a more prominant role. In fact I agree with Sean Trane that the 10 minute final track brings this recording down a level because of the dominant synths.The rest is so good though that this deserves 4.5 stars.

"Piesen Z Hoi" is the 11 minute opener and it's a beauty. It opens with bass as drums and guitar join in. Incredible sound ! The guitar is just screaming. Keyboards 2 minutes in and the drumming is so good. It settles after 5 1/2 minutes then the bass and drumming are back. Violin is brief.The guitar is on fire 8 minutes in and the bass and drums are relentless. "Svadba Na Medvedej Luke" has this killer drum intro before it settles with keys around a minute. The drums continue. Great sound ! "Posledny Jarmok V Radvani" opens with some huge bass lines with drums, keys and guitar.The guitar comes to the fore after a minute. Keyboards then lead before the guitar returns.

"Priadky" starts quietly with keys and other sounds. It kicks in after 1 1/2 minutes. A fantastic sound follows. The drums and bass sound so good. Electric piano too. Guitar 4 minutes in makes some noise. A calm 5 1/2 minutes in then the bass and drums return 6 minutes in. Keys too. This is incredible ! "Dolu Vahom" is a short tune with keyboards, bass and drums. I like it. "Vo Zvolene Zvony Zvonia" opens with liquid piano melodies as bass, cymbals and bells create some atmosphere. It's building after a minute. Violin follows. Synths lead after 5 minutes then the violin returns a minute later. Synths are back to the end. Too many synths on this one is my lone complaint.

Jazz / Fusion fans really need to check this band out.