Tarkus
2004 . :
After Crying is probably the band which has the best chance of being mentioned if the theme "Hungarian prog bands" should be raised. But they share record company with a handful of other local progressive acts. Among them, these guys led by guitarist Krisztian Paar, Inkabb Holnap (meaning Tomorrow Instead – the band name is bilingual and the album is self-titled) make their recording debut.
Inkabb Holnap plays a somewhat diffrent type of prog than After Crying. Jazz-rock is their field, and in this area they are one of the best new bands to appear the last couple of years. To call them a fusion band is too simple, they are closer to classical symphonic rock than other similar bands. Most of the time they move stylishly between modern fusion and dark 70s prog. A typical IH-melody constantly balances between hypnotizing keyboard themes and heavy, dry jazz guitar. To add variation, we have pieces like "See Saw", a melodic jazz number alternating between piano and keyboards. But the highlight is probably "1000 lei", where exquisite melodic parts are put up against outbursts of heavy symphonic rock, finally to merge, perfectly demonstrating the dynamics of IH’s music.
Inkabb Holnap has the potentials to really shine on the progressive jazz scene, but does not exploit it to the full. For example, they need more energy. Their musical ability is unquestionable, but the performances sometimes get slightly uninspired. One waits for the musicians to experiment a bit more, for they do make a few twists and turns. However, they always end up being too careful.
The production is immaculate. There are no weak tracks on the album, only a constant stream of sophisticated jazz rock, and I must say they are the most interesting Eastern European prog band since Ankh (- well, to be honest, I haven’ heart that many Eastern European bands).
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