================================Antony Kalugin is a Ukrainian composer, keyboardist, and music producer, widely recognized for his significant contributions to progressive rock and ambient music. His skill and artistic vision have made him a central and influential figure in the music scene, particularly in progressive music. Kalugin is the leader and the main creative force behind several notable bands and musical projects, including Karfagen, Sunchild, and Hoggwash. Each of these bands highlights different aspects of his versatility and musical talent.
His career is marked by his tireless dedication to musical innovation and the exploration of new frontiers. From the beginning of his career, he has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to originality and creativity. His skill as a composer and producer is remarkable, as he combines a deep understanding of music theory with a natural intuition for captivating melodies and complex harmonies. This fusion allows him to create music that is both technically impressive and emotionally resonant.
Karfagen is perhaps his best-known project/band, where there is an exploration of complex and rich soundscapes, often combining elements of progressive rock with symphonic and ambient influences. The music is characterized by its elaborate compositions, sophisticated arrangements, and a remarkable ability to create evocative sound atmospheres.
Messages from Afar: Second Nature is the third album in the Messages from Afar series. The series began with the first album released under the name Karfagen, titled Messages from Afar: First Contact, and continued with the second release under the name Sunchild, Messages from Afar: The Division and Illusion of Time. This third installment follows a narrative line centered on themes of journey, exploration, and communication that transcend the conventional boundaries of the human experience. Musically, the series stands out for a dense sonic tapestry that combines symphonic progressive rock with elements of folk and classical music, weaving soundscapes that evoke both imaginary worlds and reflections on the unknown.
"Ride Your Dream" opens the album in an engaging way, marked by a slow and measured rhythm; the piece quickly creates a dreamlike atmosphere. The vocals, ethereal and soft, contribute to this atmosphere, evoking feelings of nostalgia and introspection. It's also worth mentioning the synthesizers, which add rich and textured layers. "Fantasion" is a track that stands out for its well-placed use of synthesizers, where they create a very rich foundation, offering diverse sound palettes ranging from ethereal to robust. Although they are prominent, they do not overshadow the guitar, which shines with expressive solos and fitting riffs. The interaction between the two is harmonious, creating a beautiful musical dialogue.
"November Blue" is another instrumental piece that offers a welcome change of pace to the album, with a definite jazzy vibe. Although it does not present great sound variety, its smooth and elegant execution, along with guitar touches inspired by Pat Metheny's style, as well as some elegant saxophone incursions, make it a pleasant and relaxing listen. "Bond of Love" begins with a soft acoustic introduction accompanied by a beautiful female vocal that immediately establishes an intimate and emotional atmosphere. At first, it seems like we are about to hear a ballad, but the music quickly subverts that expectation. In the end, the track returns to its origin, closing with a repetition of the opening lyrics, giving the music a powerful emotional effect, bringing a sense of tying all elements into a cohesive cycle.
"Agora by Night" is an acoustic guitar instrumental piece that immediately captures the imagination with its serene and intricate beauty. The melody flows organically, as if telling a story without words, enveloping the listener in a world of calm and reflection. The influence of Vangelis is evident in the way the synthesizers are used to complement the guitar. "Daybreak" begins with a piano that echoes through the space, establishing an elegant and introspective environment. As the music progresses, a marked jazz influence is perceived; however, unlike the other jazzy piece, there is also something in the avant-garde line. It was the moment on the album that touched me the least, but it still offers good quality.
"Bright Little Star" is a track that delivers a beautiful layering of strings that evoke a sense of grandeur, while some jazzy elements mixed with symphonic lines add a touch of elegance to the track. This fusion of styles ends up creating a dynamic and multifaceted listening experience. There is a 4K video to be viewed with the music, which amplifies its emotional impact, creating a complete sensory experience that captivates both the eyes and the ears.
"Searching for Mr. Kite", at around eleven minutes, is the longest track on the album. It offers a rich and dynamic sound journey that captivates the listener from start to finish. The guitar, with its expressiveness and versatility, and the synthesizers, which add a layer of depth and texture to the music, intertwine brilliantly. Despite these highlights, each instrument contributes perfectly to the sonic tapestry of the piece, where each adds textures and colors that blend into a beautiful harmony. It also has a 4K video to accompany it.
"Second Nature", closing the album elegantly and tastefully, allows the feelings evoked by the previous tracks to settle, providing a beautiful conclusion to the record. The piano introduction, creating a serene and evocative atmosphere, is reminiscent of Genesis from the '70s. However, as the track progresses, this initial sense of serenity begins to transform, and ethereal synthesizer sounds start to emerge, adding a new dimension to the music and gradually expanding its scale in a gradual and intriguing way.
Furthermore, the well-crafted harmonies and carefully elaborated arrangements demonstrate Antony's skill as a composer and musician. Every note and every melody are well-planned and executed, resulting in a musical experience that is both complex and accessible. With its variety of rhythms and captivating harmonies, Messages from Afar: Second Nature is high-standard modern progressive rock.
Undoubtedly, Messages from Afar: Second Nature is yet another beautiful chapter in Antony's discographic history, standing out as one of the most prolific artists in contemporary progressive rock. The diversity of rhythms and musical styles present on the album is one of its greatest strengths, ensuring that there is no dull or predictable moment during its nearly 50 minutes.
NOTA: 8.5/10
Tracks Listing
1. Ride Your Dream (3:41)
2. Fantasion (7:25)
3. November Blue (4:34)
4. Bond of Love (expanded version) (7:02)
5. Agora by Night (4:31)
6. Daybreak (3:47)
7. Bright Little Star (3:55)
8. Searching for Mr. Kite (expanded version) (11:04)
9. Second Nature (2:25)
Ouça, "Searching for Mr. Kite"
Antony Kalugin is a Ukrainian composer, keyboardist, and music producer, widely recognized for his significant contributions to progressive rock and ambient music. His skill and artistic vision have made him a central and influential figure in the music scene, particularly in progressive music. Kalugin is the leader and the main creative force behind several notable bands and musical projects, including Karfagen, Sunchild, and Hoggwash. Each of these bands highlights different aspects of his versatility and musical talent.
His career is marked by his tireless dedication to musical innovation and the exploration of new frontiers. From the beginning of his career, he has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to originality and creativity. His skill as a composer and producer is remarkable, as he combines a deep understanding of music theory with a natural intuition for captivating melodies and complex harmonies. This fusion allows him to create music that is both technically impressive and emotionally resonant.
Karfagen is perhaps his best-known project/band, where there is an exploration of complex and rich soundscapes, often combining elements of progressive rock with symphonic and ambient influences. The music is characterized by its elaborate compositions, sophisticated arrangements, and a remarkable ability to create evocative sound atmospheres.
Messages from Afar: Second Nature is the third album in the Messages from Afar series. The series began with the first album released under the name Karfagen, titled Messages from Afar: First Contact, and continued with the second release under the name Sunchild, Messages from Afar: The Division and Illusion of Time. This third installment follows a narrative line centered on themes of journey, exploration, and communication that transcend the conventional boundaries of the human experience. Musically, the series stands out for a dense sonic tapestry that combines symphonic progressive rock with elements of folk and classical music, weaving soundscapes that evoke both imaginary worlds and reflections on the unknown.
"Ride Your Dream" opens the album in an engaging way, marked by a slow and measured rhythm; the piece quickly creates a dreamlike atmosphere. The vocals, ethereal and soft, contribute to this atmosphere, evoking feelings of nostalgia and introspection. It's also worth mentioning the synthesizers, which add rich and textured layers. "Fantasion" is a track that stands out for its well-placed use of synthesizers, where they create a very rich foundation, offering diverse sound palettes ranging from ethereal to robust. Although they are prominent, they do not overshadow the guitar, which shines with expressive solos and fitting riffs. The interaction between the two is harmonious, creating a beautiful musical dialogue.
"November Blue" is another instrumental piece that offers a welcome change of pace to the album, with a definite jazzy vibe. Although it does not present great sound variety, its smooth and elegant execution, along with guitar touches inspired by Pat Metheny's style, as well as some elegant saxophone incursions, make it a pleasant and relaxing listen. "Bond of Love" begins with a soft acoustic introduction accompanied by a beautiful female vocal that immediately establishes an intimate and emotional atmosphere. At first, it seems like we are about to hear a ballad, but the music quickly subverts that expectation. In the end, the track returns to its origin, closing with a repetition of the opening lyrics, giving the music a powerful emotional effect, bringing a sense of tying all elements into a cohesive cycle.
"Agora by Night" is an acoustic guitar instrumental piece that immediately captures the imagination with its serene and intricate beauty. The melody flows organically, as if telling a story without words, enveloping the listener in a world of calm and reflection. The influence of Vangelis is evident in the way the synthesizers are used to complement the guitar. "Daybreak" begins with a piano that echoes through the space, establishing an elegant and introspective environment. As the music progresses, a marked jazz influence is perceived; however, unlike the other jazzy piece, there is also something in the avant-garde line. It was the moment on the album that touched me the least, but it still offers good quality.
"Bright Little Star" is a track that delivers a beautiful layering of strings that evoke a sense of grandeur, while some jazzy elements mixed with symphonic lines add a touch of elegance to the track. This fusion of styles ends up creating a dynamic and multifaceted listening experience. There is a 4K video to be viewed with the music, which amplifies its emotional impact, creating a complete sensory experience that captivates both the eyes and the ears.
"Searching for Mr. Kite", at around eleven minutes, is the longest track on the album. It offers a rich and dynamic sound journey that captivates the listener from start to finish. The guitar, with its expressiveness and versatility, and the synthesizers, which add a layer of depth and texture to the music, intertwine brilliantly. Despite these highlights, each instrument contributes perfectly to the sonic tapestry of the piece, where each adds textures and colors that blend into a beautiful harmony. It also has a 4K video to accompany it.
"Second Nature", closing the album elegantly and tastefully, allows the feelings evoked by the previous tracks to settle, providing a beautiful conclusion to the record. The piano introduction, creating a serene and evocative atmosphere, is reminiscent of Genesis from the '70s. However, as the track progresses, this initial sense of serenity begins to transform, and ethereal synthesizer sounds start to emerge, adding a new dimension to the music and gradually expanding its scale in a gradual and intriguing way.
Furthermore, the well-crafted harmonies and carefully elaborated arrangements demonstrate Antony's skill as a composer and musician. Every note and every melody are well-planned and executed, resulting in a musical experience that is both complex and accessible. With its variety of rhythms and captivating harmonies, Messages from Afar: Second Nature is high-standard modern progressive rock.
Undoubtedly, Messages from Afar: Second Nature is yet another beautiful chapter in Antony's discographic history, standing out as one of the most prolific artists in contemporary progressive rock. The diversity of rhythms and musical styles present on the album is one of its greatest strengths, ensuring that there is no dull or predictable moment during its nearly 50 minutes.
NOTA: 8.5/10
Tracks Listing
1. Ride Your Dream (3:41)
2. Fantasion (7:25)
3. November Blue (4:34)
4. Bond of Love (expanded version) (7:02)
5. Agora by Night (4:31)
6. Daybreak (3:47)
7. Bright Little Star (3:55)
8. Searching for Mr. Kite (expanded version) (11:04)
9. Second Nature (2:25)
Ouça, "Searching for Mr. Kite"
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