The Polish atmospheric progressive rock band 'Amarok' whose latest album 'Hero' dates from 2021, returns with a new album which continues the adventure of the band at 'Michal Wojtas'. They returned in 2017 after more than 10 years of absence with 'Hunt' and this latest baby is a continuation of 'Hero' with an unchanged line up because we find around 'Michal Wojtas' on lead vocals, guitar and keyboards, 'Marta Wojtas' on backing vocals and percussion, 'Kornel Poplawski' on bass, violin and cello and 'Konrad Zielinski' on drums, the latter two each providing lead vocals on a track. First, the last two covers are magnificent and remind me of those of 'Pink Floyd', 'Gilmour' period. This is certainly not trivial because, although in the last two albums the Poles have now forged their own styles, we still find many influences in the atmospheric rock of the 70s.10 tracks for an hour of listening, here is the menu of this latest baby from 'Amarok' which begins with 'Hope Is' which presents a modern face with electronic sounds accompanying saturated guitar riffs, bass roaring bringing a heavy side and the spoken section of 'Marta Wojtas' adding to this dark climate. The finale is illuminated by a magnificent 'Gilmourien' guitar solo which softens the whole thing. Change of scenery with 'Stay Human' which takes us into a lighter and more carefree atmosphere and whose title is repeatedly repeated with these two very strong words, like a kind of prayer that we repeat indefinitely, then, 'Insomnia', after its introduction in which the guitar gently tickles our senses, unfolds an atmospheric ballad with the delicate singing of 'Michal Wojtas' which is of great beauty and, once again, the deep bass which envelops the whole , without forgetting the magnificent airy guitar solo: everything is there to completely captivate us! Bathed in electronic sounds, the catchy rhythm of 'Trail' in the first part could be a sort of improbable but very successful mix between 'Pink Floyd' and 'Jean-Michel Jarre', the end of the instrumental title bringing a remarkable hardening with drums that lead the dance through numerous tempo changes. Alternatingly 'Welcome' softens the subject with a nonchalant mid-tempo on which 'Konrad Zielinski' shows his talents as a singer by delicately rocking us, then 'Queen' shows a much darker face and unfolds a haunting repetitive melody on which 'Kornel Poplawski' poses a phlegmatic song. Make way for 'Perfect Run' which takes us on a fast tempo in an instrumental bringing out a feeling of urgency throughout the track, then, without transition, 'Don't Surrender' is a new ballad filled with palpable emotion, the vocal performance of 'Michal Wojtas' coupled with the guitar solo being pure moments of happiness and triggering many shivers of pleasure. With 'Simple Pleasures', 'Amarok' offers us another intense moment in refined atmosphere, urging us to enjoy every little pleasure in life, then, 'Dolina' ends this very beautiful album with a singing/accordion duet, the singing in Polish of 'Michal Wojtas' further increasing the emotional scale after the two previous compositions by adding a poignant and heartbreaking sensation to cry with all the tears in your body: sublime finale!In summary, the Poles from 'Amarok' are releasing an admirable album which requires several listens to fully let yourself be overwhelmed by all this emotional power which crescendoes until the last title and 'Hope', which benefits from a impeccable sound and production, should please all those who like an atmospheric progressive full of beautiful sensitivity...
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