Untold Stories Wind And Memories Progressive Voyages Review PV112
Untold Stories
Wind and memory
Progressive Voyages Review PV112
Origin - Bulgaria
The experience of life and memory has long fascinated Philosophers, scientists and yes, Progressive Rock bands. The desire to set these concepts to thoughtful, extended stories bound in sound has a delicious pull for the more considered reasoners in the prog sphere, and such is the case here with Untold Stories ‘Wind and Memory’.
The bands leading light, Daniel Eliseev-Marinovski, an accomplished guitarist, formed the band in 2022 following on from a debilitating illness that put his solo project D.E.P on hold. Recovering, he recruited rhythm section Alek Tsandev on bass, and Radoslav Mitev on drums. They are joined by keyboardist Nikolay Samatdjiev, and with guest vocals from Boil Karaneychev. Together they make a consummate, compelling sound.
Opening track is the powerful ‘Broken by Light’.
Chittering electronics lead to a choppy guitar that approaches a prog metal style basis to the song. Clear, clean melodic vocals underpinned with classic key sounds route to an assertive chorus, totally in keeping with the lyrical content; War through eyes of a soldier. Rush style chords, a confident guitar solo, and morse code synths ensure contained herein ensure a dramatic entry to the album.
Flying Away
Opening with a classic Prog style arpeggiated keyboard motif, the song then concerns itself with the nature of dreams in all their forms. Assured vocals build to clever AOR style vocal harmonies. The band here are tight and focused as required in the arena of this musical style, with bassist Aleks groove combing well with Daniel’s guitar, and indeed, one could imagine this song going down well in arenas themselves. A cool guitar solo and dramatic drum finale courtesy of percussionist Radoslav round off a catchy composition.
Wind and Memories
The Rush inspired chiming chords begin the two-part epic centrepiece of the album. Spoken word vocals set the scene for song’s protagonist relaying a relationship experience that may or may not have run its course. A chorus of Sweet melodic vocals provides contrast, telling of seeing another with eyes open. A synth solo action leads to synth washes, with chiming pads that echo faintly the opening chiming guitar. A recurring guitar motif opens out to a pensive vocal bridge, reflecting the protagonists uncertainty with the relationships status. Hope still remains however, and the music’s finale artfully signals the desire of a positive outcome.
A very thoughtful, contemplative track very much the fulcrum of the albums conceptual journey.
The Power of Forgiveness
A more reflective opening, delicate electric guitar transitions to a synth underpinned chorus. Akin to a Dream Theater style ballad delivery. Vocalist Boil, is given lead to open out in the emotive yearning chorus. Followed by an expressive guitar solo, twin harmonies here and there and a Rush-like unison ensemble played section capped with a Wakeman style keys solo. As if to celebrate this, the songs finishes with a Yes style coda, fading to the distance.
Faces
An Instrumental interlude, where Daniel paints musical images of loved ones lost, determined to not lose them to the ravages of time. Meditative, introspective, jazz style chords and tone, 90s style synth- style hued Prog Rock define this most prog like track, with quiet complexity, partly reminiscent of The Alan Parsons Project, say. An almost Tangerine Dream sounding synth leads to dappled, echoing sound effects. Then the return of the Wakeman-esque keys flow the track to its conclusion.
Pieces of You
An AOR drenched pensive opening, a well constructed chorus bursting from its willowy liquid guitar pattern . Here, the protagonist is yearning for his love to be once more his paradise. The song has a welcome, evident Toto and Saga feel to it, very tasteful, not overplayed instrumentation and ensemble playing. Singer Boil’s smoothly charming vocals and harmonies here make for a slick catchy chorus.
Purple Lake
A place we all have to hold and bear our dreams, wishes and aspirations, a place that inspires and energises. Sequencer Synths start, and transition to Nikolay Samatdjiev’s delightful choices of sumptuous washes and flows. An Insistent pointillist guitar chatters and motivates, in conjunction with a simple yet effective bass line from bassist Alek. The Soaring vocal adds to the purposeful serenity of the track. A Yearning romantic paean to hopeful love, and the promises made to meet again. Beautiful.
Bloody Moon
Another anti war song begins with a Bass line synth wash opening, jazzy blues guitar. And Something about the night-time. There are Almost 50s sci-fi style keys gliding the song along and tom-tom pattern emphasises the jazzy guitar motifs. There is a slight Dream Theater construction of the insistently captivating, stately, gripping chorus, exercising a flowing, ascending/descending chord progression. Another superb sophistically understated guitar solo leads to the song and album ending on a hope eliciting sequencer coda. A fitting way to conclude an album with longing hope at its core.
Combining Hard Rock, Prog, Synthy Electronica, and even a touch of Psychedelia, blended with an artful mix and mastering, Untold Stories use their influences well, to create their own sound, and will appeal to a wide range of Prog cognoscenti, taking the listener into the realms of their experience, and the hopes that their dreams are positively answered via use of positive wishfully desiring lyrics and vocals. There is magical sojourning here of the varying realities they hint at; quintessential Prog lyrical joy. An impressive debut indeed
info here: Music | Untold Stories https://share.google/ncxxB0tXiyNCJxdI
Author - Mike Burgess.