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Illusions (2LP Vinyl)
WOW! Sic Mundus is a new band from Poland consisting of Andrzej Sesiuk (keyboards) and Artur Placzyński (bass). To fill out the lineup they brought in a bunch of ringers from different countries including countrymate and Riverside guitarist Maciej Meller who guests on one track. Its a bit of a cop out to automatically compare Sic Mundus to Riverside. That isn't really what they are about except the track that Maciej Meller plays on - perhaps then you could make that comparison. The music has a very strong symphonic prog element and some outstanding guitarwork from a number of guests. Some heaviness but nothing to consider the band metal - this is a prog rock outing. About half the album is instrumental, with vocalist Mikołaj Krzaczek appearing on half and he's quite good. Rounding out the package is this incredible artwork. This is quite a debut. I can't imagine where they go from here. BUY OR DIE!
"For well over five decades now the progressive rock world has seen some truly amazing cover artwork. Next to vintage names like Roger Dean (Yes), Mark Wilkinson (Marillion), Patrick Woodroffe (Pallas), and Rodney Matthews (Magnum, Hawkwind, Asia, whatnot), it is contemporary names like Ed Unitsky (Silhouette, Samurai Of Prog) and Igor Sokolskiy (Karfagen) that instantly come to mind. They are now joined by renowned Polish painter Jarosław Jaśnikowski.
Jaśnikowski's highly attractive steampunk art, a sci-fi subgenre inspired by 19th century industrial steam-powered machinery, is set in an alternative Victorian age. It depicts a dystopian retro-futuristic world that moderately reminds of movies like Mortal Engines and The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen. It is without doubt the perfect invitation to secure the beautiful hard-cover digi-book version of Illusions. If the limited vinyl version is no longer available that is!
Inspired by the likes of Pink Floyd, Marillion, Porcupine Tree and Dream Theater, Sic Mundus (Andrzej Sesiuk - music, arrangements, keyboards, programming; and Artur Placzyński - lyrics, bass), accompanied by Lucas Emidio - drums, Mikołaj Krzaczek - vocals, and a host of supporting guitarists (amongst whom special guest Maciej Meller (Quidam, Riverside), present an equally captivating invite with their excellent music as immortalised on Illusions. Going the extra mile they have really outdone themselves and suitably match the lovely drawings with well-composed and attractively arranged neo-prog/prog-metal influenced compositions.
Interestingly, these songs did start out differently when they were first independently recorded and released by Sesiuk. Placzyński discovered these version by chance on streaming services and together with Sesiuk set out to transform them into Illusions. The original versions are now no longer available. Judging on movements in songs like Victory Of The Light and This Is An Illusion I do get the feeling they were originally fairly EM based. Which, if indeed true, makes the overall outcome of Illusions all the more impressive.
Featuring guitars by Scott Wright in the first three songs, this outcome in Awakening yields dreamy cinematic atmospheres. Embedded with a subtle hint of tangible industrialism, sensitive melodic deliveries and symphonic elements, embraced by a nightmarish shimmer of vocalised psychedelic paranoia, leisurely provokes intricately crafted neo-prog that remind of Collage. This perfect scenery is followed by the groovy Free Like A Bird which next to pop sensibilities, lush synths and sublime instrumentation, is highlighted by a thematic earworm chorus that sticks for days on end. The successive prog metal influenced instrumental Time Machine adds richness in atmospheric alterations, brightness of synths, grand melancholic guitar flows and interplay inspired by Saga. To me, this turns back the clock to a time of Dreamscape and the wonderful Hubi Meisel album EmOcean.
Night And Day has Iga Kałuża on backing vocals and recalls Millenium. It showcases strength of vocals and depth in arrangements while the atmosphere effortlessly fluctuates between ominously dark and illuminatingly light. Adrian Weiss delivers a peerless guitar solo.
The album reaches its pinnacle point in the form of the triumphant instrumental Victory Of The Light. A magical song that drifts from dark atmospheres into symphonies aglow with classical symphonies. Melodies are dynamically driven onwards by rhythmic propulsion and excellent guitar work by Greg Davies. Together with Adam Cisowski (rhythm guitars), Davies takes full spellbinding care from here on in. After a divine touch of Vangelis in its beautiful transporting bridge, this excellent song ends with a delightful repeat of melodies and themes. It is ultimately concluded by a gloriously spectacular shredding solo by Davies.
Not letting go of this divine momentum, the instrumental Intergalactic Journey follows this with industrial techno designs. Complemented by fierce metal riffs and masterly construed symphonic transitions between ambient and shredding bombast, this alluringly envisions the eclectic industrial progressive mix of KONG. A reference that initially also comes into view in Two Moons. Halfway down, classical elements appear and this instrumental soundscape delectably transforms into a dazzling showcase of inventive melodies and challenging time signatures. Underscored by luxurious synths and a ravishing guitar solo, it surely meets the approval of many a prog metal fan.
Tinctured with influences of Riverside, This Is An illusion also manoeuvres meticulously between the light and dark. And next to elements of synth-pop and New Wave exhibits prog-metal inspired textures in which a gorgeously building bridge acts as the perfect starting vehicle for Maciej Meller to shine bright with a lengthy melancholic solo. A psychedelic reawakening of haunting vocal accomplishments and recurring melodies finally leads the song's engaging melodies into a spirited EM passage which enriched through synth flows and sensitive bass lines beams impressions of Eloy.
A foreboding (re)run of themes and melodies is strengthened in message thanks to Krzaczek's palpable expressions of anger, rage, frustration and despair on the one hand, and those filled with hopeful uplift and wishful longing on the other. Illusions' gloomy contemplative concept finally comes perpetually full circle in Enchanting Island and F.L.A.B.
The reality of it all is that Illusions is a truly fantastic album. One that as infinite grower bursts with outstanding performances and well-developed compositions full of exceptionally arranged changes in pace and atmosphere. All of which captured with pristine depth of sound dynamics that makes the songs exceedingly come alive.
I highly recommend fans of modern progressive rock and those in favour of bands named within this review to check Illusions and its highly captivating artwork out!" - DPRP.net