2013 saw the fifteenth anniversary of Lynx Music, quite an achievement for a label that concentrates on progressive rock. To mark the event, Ryszard Kramarski decided that his band Millenium should undertake a special performance of ‘Vocanda’, which they released in 2000. Obviously they needed to rehearse for such an event, and a month before the gig they congregated at the studio and recorded the rehearsal so that they could play it back and check if anything needed amending. The concert was well received, but wasn’t professionally recorded, so Ryszard thought that it would be a nice idea to make this available for fans, in a strictly limited numbered edition. It isn’t a studio album, nor is it a live album as there is no audience, but has the band playing the new arrangements with no overdubs, so in many ways it is a combination of both.
Having played this quite a lot, I feel that I am very fortunate to have been introduced to this band all those years ago as I have many of their albums in my collection and each and every single one is a joy. There are many neo influences in what they do, especially IQ and Pendragon, and Ryszard understands the need for rock guitar as part of this so doesn’t hog the limelight but ensures that Piotr Płonka has plenty of time centre stage. Singer Łukasz Gall’s voice is as powerful and strident as it was when he first sang this all those years ago, but guest Karolina Leszko also has a major part to play and she provides lush harmonies or the occasional lead when the music is right.
Poland has had some great progressive bands over the years, with Collage and SBB being of particular note, but Millenium more than stand up with them, and this is yet another wonderful album from the guys, even more impressive is that it is live in the studio. Highly recommended. For this and details of other releases on Ryszard’s label visit www.lynxmusic.pl
