Review by BrufordFreak — Antony Kalugin has created a NeoProg concept album with the help of one of the finest lineups of Progressive Rock
Hall of Famers. Two long inter-connected suites are the result.
A) "OMNI Part 1" (23:03)
1. "Omni Overture" (2:37) Why? Why did Antony decide to use Genesis' Duke opening to open this album? It's too
blatant, even though it does expand upon the flow and direction of the original, but then it comes back to the pulsing
"Duke's Travels" section before going Phil Collins with the blasts from the "horn section. (8.8.75/10)
2. "Storyteller (Part 1)" (4:29) interesting 1980s NeoProg with Richard Sinclair in the lead vocals and on the fretless bass
while Michel St-Pere provides the New Wave guitar chords and sounds. (Think The Fixx's Jamie Oren-West, Simple
Mind's New Gold Dream, or Re-Flex's "The Politics of Dancing" for the sound Michel uses). John Hackett's flute is
notable but dismissive. When Michel starts to step up front for the lead guitar work at the end we are reminded of his
power as a NeoProg guitar player. (8.875/10)
3. "Whispers from the Past" (3:28)
4. "The Spark" (5:45) the music continues as Salva's Per Malmberg steps up to the lead microphone. He sounds so
much like someone from the late 1970s or early 1980s--someone quite distinctive (and good). Maybe the lead singer
from the Canadian band PAYOLA$ ("Eyes of a Stranger"). (9.25/10)
5. "Masterplan" (5:18)
6. "Mirror of Souls" (1:24)
B) "OMNI Part 2" (22:42)
7. "Unchained" (5:44) beautiful and emotion-wrenching NeoProg is fronted by amazing performances from Mystery
vocalist, Jean Pageau, and Inside The Sound guitarist, Max Velychko. Has the torch been passed from Marco
Gl�hmann to Jean Pageau as the reigning greatest prog vocalist and that of the greatest NeoProg guitarist from Michel
St-Pere to Max Velychko? (9.3333/10)
8. "The Cards We Play" (8:26) Antonin Kalugin, John Hackett, Richard Sinclair, Marco Gl�hmann, and Michel St-Pere:
has there ever been a better "all-star" lineup? 'nuff said. (18.25/20)
9. "You and I" (3:52) nice NeoProg with Bartosz Kossowicz performing the FISH-like lead vocal with some real searing
lead guitar work from Michel St-Pere. (8.875/10)
10. "Storyteller (Part 2)" (4:38) the final sounds like with Richard Sinclair, Bartosz and Antony sharing the multi-part
lead vocal duties. Rather nice--even beautiful and emotive--if not innovative. (9.125/10)
Total Time 45:45
Despite not owning this album and, therefore, not being able to hear all of its songs (three songs covering ten minutes
of the album's nearly 46 are unavailable for previewing on the album's Bandcamp page), I am going to post this
review.
A-/five stars; a minor masterpiece of progressive rock music and a fine example of lush, high-quality modern NeoProg
from one of prog's most prolific composer-musicians.