Krakowka, Arnaud: Antic Journey

"Born in 1985, Arnaud Krakowka started playing guitar at the age of 15. Arnaud has been inspired by the music of the 1960s and 70s, and has tried with this album to capture and interpret the spirit of that musical generation from his perspective."

This is a good interpretation of the music that has inspired Arnaud. It's a difficult task to truly replicate the feeling of music from the past without having been there during the time. So I salute him in his efforts to capture that period. This is a good introduction to Arnaud and his music with two great standouts in "Universe of Memories" and "The Truth Behind Horus".

"Prelude to History" opens with native – like voices before the keyboards and rushing guitars cut in ala Ayreon. The drums kick in closely behind to build a powerful opening. A short but grand opening.

Then Arnaud's first vocal, "Do you feel these vibrations since you're born?", as "Lifeforce" jumps to start. The keys and guitar solos are wonderful to open this track. Very original sounding vocals and the song brings out allot of the spirit of early Rush and some other heavy metal bands.

"Apollo's Northern Land" opens with more blistering guitar solos and those brooding keys. It progresses like a heavy metal symphonic piece with deep keys and launching heavy metal guitar solos. There is a cool momentary pause, including flute, which is one of the best moments on the album.

"The Astral World" opens with deeper bass lines and lead guitar lying carefully on top. This song is full of great guitar work. Then the drums kick in to provide support and allow the piece to progress. The guitar solos continue as the flute enters to help further animate the soundscape. As the piece reaches its zenith, the grinding shiny guitars clash perfectly with those droning keys to create a very eerie effect, very reminiscent of Rush's spacey early songs, complete with crashing gong like sounds.

Corvin Bahn's beautiful piano work opens up the best song on the album, "Universe of Memories". The piano work will bring back memories of both classical and rock favorites, without sounding too similar. Bahn's piano continues throughout the song accompanied by the grinding guitar and the vocals of Arnaud.

Soft congas open "The Truth Behind Horus", before what sounds like a choir and Middle Eastern rhythms begin. Another of the best songs on the album, as Arnaud adds sitar to make this one really stand out. Later acoustic guitar and more powerful drums join in to cement this as the best instrumental on the album. The flute blends perfectly with the sitar as the song closes.

"Sundown" opens with cool guitar and key effects before the roaring lead electric takes over. This song is full of cool guitar riffs and solos mixed well with the keys.

"A Spirit in Black and White" opens with cool breezy key effects, maybe simulated waterfalls, sounds of nature, a river and the flute. This one seems to be very much influenced by that early Rush, "2112/Hemispheres" period of sound. Cool guitar solos matched with wonderful supporting keys.

"Meditation Mystery" opens with a cool keys and guitar effects. Arnaud's vocals take over this track along with those amazing keys and guitar work.

"The Myth of the Sun" is the epic closer set to remind you to come back for the next album. It opens with spacey keys and wonders, before an awesome acoustic guitar takes over. It is shortly replaced with the power electric chords and drums, with the keys echoing in the background. The guitar solos are some of the best on the album. Spacey keys take us out of this 10:26 minute epic.

Track Listing
1. Prelude To History
2. Lifeforce
3. Apollo's Northern Land
4. The Astral World
5. Universe Of Memories
6. The Truth Behind Horus
7. Sundawn
8. A Spirit In Black & White
9. Meditation Mystery
10. The Myth Of The Sun

Added: May 1st 2011
Reviewer: Mark Johnson
Score:
Related Link: Artist Website
Hits: 2118
Language: english

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