Album Review: MILLENIUM – Ego

Millenium - Ego

Lynx Music  [Release date 25 May 2013]

Despite the wave of fabulous progressive rock emanating from Eastern Europe at the moment, don’t get the idea that Millenium are just another new Polish band riding on the coat-tails of the likes of Riverside, Satellite, Believe, et al, as they have been at the forefront of the genre for over ten years now.

Founded in Krakow by keyboard whizz Ryszard Kramarski way back in 1999, the band first appeared on most people’s radar in 2008 with their superb ‘Exist’ album – and now they’ve returned to kick your ass with another dazzling display of prog-rock artistry guaranteed to get the juices flowing.

‘Ego’ is the band’s ninth studio album and it’s obvious from the outset that they have used the years well – honing their musical and songwriting skills to a razor sharpness.

Six tracks in total and prog-heads will be delighted to learn that four of them clock in at over nine minutes apiece.

The same prog-heads will also be delighted with the quality and scope of the album, veering from the insistent pulse and delicate acoustic guitar figure of the opening title track, through to the final gossamer-like piano arpeggios of  closer ‘Goodbye My Earth’.

In between they take on the entire progressive canon with a myriad of time-signature changes, a contemporary libretto and pounding guitar riffage juxtaposed with sensitive keyboard and vocal harmony work.

There is also, dare we say it, a faint whiff of commerciality now and then, especially on second track ‘Born In ‘67’ – AOProgR if you will – but rescued by one the most exquisite guitar solos you’ll hear.

The band have also (sparingly) used instruments not necessarily associated with progressive rock – such as trumpet and saxophone – which lend real variety to the tracks where they appear. Add to this heady mix a soupcon of sublime female backing vocals, courtesy of Karolina Leszko, and the circle is complete.

‘Ego’ could be the game-changer for Millenium and after all this time it would be nothing less than they deserve.

If you thought Polish progressive rock begins and ends with Riverside, think again. Millenium are lacing up their size thirteens and your arse is in their sights.

Great stuff.

****

Review by Alan Jones



Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Josh Taerk Sunday Sessions 2024

Latest session: Sunday 25 February
Next session: Sunday 14 April

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio



David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 March 2024.


UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 5 March 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com


Power Plays w/c 18 March 2024

GYPSY’S KISS We’ve Come To Play
FM Out Of The Blue (Frontiers)
SHOTGUN MISTRESS Shot Down (indie)
ATTIC THEORY Violent Delight (indie)
FLOYA Yume (FiXT)
SAHAJI Tell Me All Your Feelings (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 18 March 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023
12:00-13:00 LEAVES’ EYES Myths Of Fate (AFM Records)
14:00-16:00 HOLLY LERSKI Sweet Decline (indie)


To see our Tweets you need to be logged in to a Twitter account



Popular (last 10 days)


This entry was posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS and tagged , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

One Response to Album Review: MILLENIUM – Ego

  1. Pingback: Millenium

Leave a Reply