Ego Eimi is the brain child of musician Alexander Skorobogatov, who hails from Russia, and The Door of Heart is his third and latest independent release which blends modern and classic sounding progressive rock.
The first track "Face Off" is an interesting beginning; a mid tempo song running six and half minutes, which features melodic guitar soloing, along with some fine work on the bayan (the Russian version of the accordion). Just as a side note, all of the tracks on this disc with the exception of his cover version of Deep Purple's "The Mule" are in Russian, so you better brush off that English / Russian dictionary that you've had tucked away since college. Things really get interesting on the 2nd track "Extended Mule" which as mentioned is a cover of "The Mule" only Skorobogatov takes it on an extended ride with some really fantastic, fast and intricate soloing; his playing echoing some of the best shredders of today, and while the track clocks in at over thirteen minutes it never loses its focus or sounds boring. "Air Abyss Mule" is again based on some chords and melodies from "The Mule" only this time he utilizes the keyboards of fellow Russian musician Ivan Rozmainsky from the band Roz Vitalis to create something very atmospheric, spacey and ambient. Skorobogatov's guitar chops are again featured, with thick chugging rythms and lightning fast soloing on the sixteen minute title track which starts out with a faster tempo before breaking down into a dreamy, keyboard interlude half the way in. This CD provides a good balance between heavy guitar orientated prog/ metal and the finer elements of space prog. Nice textures throughout and The Door of Heart overall is a pretty solid and satisfying listening experience.
Track Listing
1) Face Off
2) Extended Mule
3) Air Abyss Mule
4) Detachment
5) At Millimetre A Year
6) The Door of Heart
7) Simeon Foreknowledge
8) Simeon Said