The Samurai of Prog featuring Marco Grieco – The Time Machine (Seacrest Oy – SCR-1046, 2024)
The Time Machine by The Samurai of Prog featuring Marco Grieco includes eight extended tracks featuring some of the finest musicians in the current European progressive rock scene. As the title indicates, this album takes you into a fascinating voyage through time, visiting different time periods.
The title track “The Time Machine” is characterized by mesmerizing keyboard melodies by Marco Grieco and emotive vocals with lyrical depth by Serge Tiagniryadno. It features notable violin work by Maria Kovalenko and delightful flute melodies by Giovanni Mazzotti. As you would expect, it
Fluctuates between delicate moments and intensified crescendos.
The song “Apes” opens with electric guitar and choral harmonies. It fuses western classical music and modern elements with shifting tempos. Here, masterful violin and flute intertwine with keyboards and Roine Stolt’s fabulous lead guitar. However, the vocals here don’t hit the mark. They tried to stuff too many lyrics and they are also repetitive.
Track 3, “The Last Legionary” is a wistful piece introduced by Marc Papeghin’s exquisite, cinematic French horn and trumpet with ardent vocals by Bo-Anders Sandström. This composition also features standout violin and guitar solos. This is symphonic progressive rock at its best, with climactic instrumental sections.
“Painting Mona Lisa” explores Leonardo da Vinci’s legacy through an elegant combination of western classical music and progressive rock. The piece includes lush symphonic arrangements enriched by keyboards, flute, and violin.
Track 4, “E=MC2” is a tribute to Albert Einstein that starts with superb, complex guitar-keyboard interplay. Tempos shift seamlessly, highlighting dynamic sections along with calm interludes.
“Moon” is an instrumental track inspired by space exploration. The high points are the marvelous, expressive keyboards, guitar, and violin.
Next is “Madiba’s Life,” a brief, charming and heartfelt piano composition that honors Nelson Mandela.
The last track is “Future.” It features dazzling vocals by Welsh artist Christina Booth (Magenta) along with stellar violin, guitar, and keyboard work.
The Time Machine was produced by Marco Bernard, Marco Grieco and Kimmo Pörsti.
Musicians: Marco Bernard on Shuker basses; Marco Grieco on keyboards; and Kimmo Pörsti on drums and percussion.
Guests: Serge Tiagniryadno on vocals; Tony Riveryman on electric guitars; Maria Kovalenko on violin; Giovanni Mazzotti on flute; Roine Stolt on electric guitar; Bo-Anders Sandström on vocals; Marc Papeghin on French horn; Balàzs Winkler on trumpet; Daniel Fäldt on vocals; Roberto Bucci on electric guitar; Clive Nolan on vocals; Marcel Singor on electric guitar; Peter Matuchniak on electric guitar; Christina Booth on vocals.
The Samurai Of Prog are known for using excellent, fantasy-style graphic design. This time they used a highly talented Polish artist named Michal Xaay Loranc, who is also a heavy metal vocalist.
Track Listing
- The Time Machine (9:59)
- Apes (7:35)
- The Last Legionary (7:44)
- Painting Mona Lisa (6:37)
- E=MC2 (8:14)
- Moon (6:55)
- Madiba’s Life (1:46)
- Future (9:05)
Buy The Time Machine.