Omni Part 2 (Karfagen, 2025)

 Antony Kalugin, the ukrainian multi-instrumentalist behind Karfagen, is a man of many talents and his 2025 album "Omni" is another good example of his stunningly prolific vein (you'll find more elsewhere in this blog)."Omni" Part 2 is a well built suite, a 22 minute one divided into 4 movements, also enjoyable as stand-alone songs, many of them in a rather slow tempo, but with some welcome accelerations and many, unpredictable changes. 

As usual, an inspiring cover art

As always, there are very good melodies and beautiful solos, and this time the vocals, provided by the kinds of Marco Glühmann, Richard Sinclair, Jean Pageau, Bartosz Kossowicz plus, of course, Olha Rostovska and Antony Kalugin himself,  play an essential role in the great picture, something we don't easily find in Karfagen's discography. All those different and sensitive voices fit perfectly in such a rich musical texture. Among other guest musicians, Michel St-Père's (of Mystery fame) guitars and John Hackett's flute need no introductions and are two more bonuses added to this musical pearl. This is Neo-Progressive rock & Symphonic Rock at their best and I'm glad to loose my mind in this flowing, lush musical river.

Phase 1 (Karfagen, 2016)

Karfagen are a stunning band from Ukraine, the brainchild of  multi-instrumentalist Antony Kalugin. One of the most prolific acts I've ever known (21 studio albums during their first 19 years!), they produce mostly instrumental tracks, but this one, coming from their 2026 album "Spektra", also includes a choir section. As usual for Karfagen, this seven movement suite is simply unpredictable and deliciously varied. Classical music inspires many parts of "Phase 1" and if keyboards prevail all along the track, there is a good choice of instruments , such as violin, acoustic and electric guitars, some unusual percussions and, of course, a vocal trio, singing in latin. 

This is Karfagen's eighth studio album.

As you can imagine, tempos, moods and  arrangements are in a perpetual change, spanning from atmospheric to rock moments, including some very good guitar and keyboard solos and many lively interplays. Nonetheless, this is not a collection of sparse compositions. On the contary, there is a strong pattern all along the suite and each passage is there for a good musical reason, enriching the previous one and preparing in a way the next one. A beautiful, invigorating experience.

In This Puzzled Roundabout (Arlekin, 2014)

Ok, ok... I can hear some of you saying this is just another Fish-era Marillion clone. But, you see, it happens I like Fish-era Marillion and it also happens this Ukrainian band has a rather original approach to neo-prog, a darker mood and a well balanced sound. Igor Sidorenko is the man behind Arlekin (that's actually a one-man band) and he's got a long, successful experience when it comes to prog rock (Stoned Jesus are the best known band he played in). That's why he knows how to build up a 15 minute epic skipping boredom and mannerism.

The making of this album was rather long, starting in 2008.

"In This Puzzled Roundabout", taken from the album "Disguise Serenades", includes most of my favourite elements: rythm and mood changes, powerful and sensitive vocals, well found and well performed instrumental parts and - most of all - beautiful melodies. Surre, you'll find here many musical solutions coming from British (and Polish) neo-prog bands, but the track is nonetheless an enjoyable and original one, adding to the usual ingredients a fully homemade mixed spice tablespoon. Just get into this puzzled world...

Introducing The Past (Gorgo, 2012)

These Gorgo actually are an interesting band. They come from Ukraine and they play a full-bodied prog rock with folk and electronic elements. This "Introducing The Past" is the instrumental intro of the album "The Clash of Ages" and is full of dynamic solutions. As the album deals with different eras and civilisations of our human race, this overture has a rich, almost festive sound, and many instruments and effects contribute to the big picture.

Gorgo released their second album with Muséa label.

Those who like short and effective prog tracks will find here their cup of tea, and also those who like crossover prog will be satisfied enough. In fact, this track belongs to the sunny side of prog, somewhere between Spock's Beard and Minimum Vital, but with a strongest electronic approach. This joyful track is something I listen to when I need an extra dose of energy. Try it, then let me know if it worked...

Another Friday Night (Hoggwash, 2007)

The Ukrainian keyboardist and singer Antony Kalugin, of Karfagen fame (see elsewhere in this blog), also created Hoggwash project, bringing on a somewhat easier side of prog, not too far from neo-prog sounds. This "Another Friday Night", taken from the album "The Last Horizon" develops such a musical concept in all its usual features and with the greatest care.

"The Last Horizon" was the debut album for Hoggwash.

The main theme is a captivating and melodic one, while the arrangements insist on modern key effects and a good deal of electric and acoustic guitars by Roman Philonenko, the band's co-leader. Some of the effects Kalugin displays here remind me of Polish band Collage, and the keen sound engineering surely is another strong point of this song. A pleasant listening, a well balanced track dealing with both vintage and contemporary prog, a humble and hopefully useful suggestion for my prog friends out there. 

Mystery (Karfagen, 2010)

One of the few Ukraine prog rock bands, Karfagen (meaning Karthago) are the artistic son of kjeyboardist and composer Antony Kalugin and accordionist Sergei Kovalev. This 22 minutes suite comes from their fourth studio album, "Solitary Sandpiper Journey" and I really like it. It's a melodic track divided into five movements, including some beautiful keyboard progressions, long electric guitar solos, a constant dialogue between those two instruments and also some remarkable choral arrangements. You'll find here a scent of Renaissance and a pinch of neo-prog, but also some electric guitar slightly jazz improvisations and a few poppish tentations (not bad, after all).

This is a very good album, with no fillers inside.

The accordion adds an original mood to the big picture and a pleasant chamber orchestra comes in now and then, including cello, flute, oboe, basson, viola and violin. All is well done, IMHO, and I like all the passages, with a special mention for Marina Zacharova's soprano voice and Roman Gorielov's acoustic guitar (I would have liked more of this...). A scarcely known band that's worth a keen listening. I'll surely explore more of their discography.