CD Review: AlogiA - Semendria (Symphonic Power Metal, 2020)

Finally after some time a brand new AlogiA album see's the light of day. What happened in the four years since the last release?

The cover creates a positive feeling in me.

I think a lot of work and re-thinking has gone into the creation of "Semendria". First of all the sound underwent changes. This time around it's far more compact and dry. It's not that pumped and blown-up anymore. This makes the tunes lighter to enjoy. The new tunes are compact in duration. A eye was held on a limited tme frame so the tracks come to the point.   

New sound meets tradition

Most of the songs are sourced of traditional symphonic power metal sounds. This lays down a classic foundation to the sound. This impression continues with the vocals that add more high screams than ever before.  

But "Semendria" is far from being a "standard" or one of the many albums out there. This becomes evident on clearer moments that shine through. Just listen to the verses of "The Calling" - they slowly build from softer to faster/harder each verse-round.

The title-track is a good example for the evolution. While lyrically and in the basics a classic track it's the fine elements like the flute or the acoustic guitars that give it a special touch.

Refrains like the one on "Visantia" are outworked with a finetuned melody - leave your ears open and you'll recognize.
Finally piano passages make "From East to West" stand out of all of the tracks. A nice way to end the record in a softer style.
 
All in all I'd like to point out the newest output of AlogiA to your attention. It has more to offer than ever before. It has got a lot of variation in it that is a welcomed aspect. Listening becomes a joy. The shorter way to present the music prevents boring lengths and also gives the music a chance if you're cut short on time.   

Also guest performances of Tim "Ripper" Owens, Mark Boals and the fantastic organ of Fabio Leone make it a even bigger highlight than it already is.

CD and Vinyl available
Make sure to pick a phystical CD copy of the album directly of the online shop. Currently a limited vinyl edition of the record is up for pre-order through Elevate Records at a lower price (20 Euro, will be 24 Euro later. Both prices plus shipping and handling.

CD Review: AlogiA - Elegia Balcanica

Note: If you have a own band or project that you think might fit in well here for a review or as a presentation / introduction please drop me a line or two in a E-Mail. Please see my profile for my E-Mail adress. I appreciate new suggestions very much so don't hesitate to contact me. I'm also interested in band news / updates / tourdates so please keep the stuff coming. Thanks!

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Short introduction

The band AlogiA was already formed back in 2000. The band has their origins in Serbia and the album I'm reviewing here, their newest effort "Elegia Balcanica" comes with lyrics in serbian language. The style of the band can be described as Progressive Power Metal.

(c) by AlogiA, used with kind permission

Alogia have played many tours all over Balkan during the last decade and also performed on many huge festivals, such as Exit, Beer fest. They also had a couple of very succesful huge solo concerts in Belgrade, SKC hall.

In addition to that they also opened for Whitesnake, Apocalyptica and Savatage. After 3 studio and one live album/dvd, the guys have released the fouth studio album “Elegia Balcanica” in September 2014 in Serbia only. A worldwide release has been scheduled for January 2015 on Miner Recordings.

You can connect with the band through their social sites such as Facebook or Twitter. The website of the band has more informations on all of the band's releases.

Summary / Player

This album blows away all your sorrows and bad feelings within a few songs! That's what came up to my mind when I heard the record. The great thing is that the band for sure has a lot of technical abilities but uses them in a very minimal way. It's no question a release from the section of Progressive music but without the often lengthy sections other bands often come around with. The song and the sheer power of the music stands in the very first row and is what matters most. It's not a show of solos but a lot of technical tricky parts can be heard. Anyway. they fit very well into the organic structure of the songs so I've never had the feeling that these elements were overused. If you prefer power and fun over technical stuff this album is for you. The production is very fat with a focus on the drums and the vocals giving it a very powerfull punch.

The album is not available as complete stream for listening so I've included the official videos the band has shot for three of the albums songs at the Track by Track section. They should give you a good idea of what the music of the guys is all about.

Track-by-Track Review


1) Almagest
The instrumental opens up the CD. It perfectly shows was the listener awaits in the upcoming 30 minutes: powerfull, fast but also versatile progressive metal without too much ado. A bridge with some soft notes played in keeps in mind before a much more pushing and strong part leads towards the end. The pushing guitar riff leads directly over to the next track.

2) Callis ad Astra



The riffs keep pushing hard forwards. The voice comes in very melodic. Warm, high pitched vocals but they never get on one's nerves. The second verse comes with more darker toned vocals. A refrain that keeps in mind for sure. One can imagine this one going down very well on live shows. Think it will make a lot of people's ears opening up for the band.

3) Galija
The gas pedal is kept strong and the speed is set high. The vocals have a fast and short tone, the refrain pushes the excitement level even a bit more. Fine melodies put in a fast rhythm package.


4) Vreme je


Yeah, let's keep things straight forward this one seems to speak out. The guitars are kept shorter on this one than on the previous tracks while the keyboards form the main-theme melody. Lot's of power drumming also in here. The drummer needs to have a strong condition in this band, no doubt.

5) Elegia Balcanica


The title track opens up with a more midtempo-oriented section. The keyboards also dominate this song. A song with a more hymn like theme, while the vocals telling a more dramatic tale. Some very high screams give this a classic Metal attitude. It's surely a surprise track most listeners won't await having heard the other fours songs.

6) Ona zna (Lilith)
Again a more midtempo piece of music, also slow doublebass drums play a certain part in Ona zna. A typical riff-along-song. Nothing special but keeps you going on with the album.

7) Inferno
Back to the more brutal style track number seven screams with the extremly fast double bass drums intro. The first verse surprises with midtemo rhythm. A very versatile track The solo section has some fine elements in them, technic freaks shouldn't miss them. Guess some will try to replay these parts. :-) Surely hard to get by. Cool vocals, with a nice melody and structure, quite a good idea for such a song.

8) U tišini
A hard and dirty riff opens song number eight. A midtempo-stomping track that goes into a unusual direction but is very welcomed. It brings up a bit rougher note that adds some variation to the album. I think it will stick in the minds of many listeners for the hacking rhythm.

9) Intentionally blind (bonus)
A bonus track paying tribute to Chuck Schuldiner and the legacy he formed mostly with his main band Death. Featuring Seven Kingdom on vocals this bonustrack goes into a very straight and brutal direction (small wonder when you think about the Death Metal origin of the track) also some melody still remains in this track. A nice kick-them-out for the album and a unexspected,too.

Serbian Progpower-Metal band AlogiA preparing new album

This band ist set a bit more in the modern progmetal style. But that's not the only thing that makes them remarkable from other bands around. Their albums are recorded in Serbian language but the raw music translates into any culture. Because they’ve gained such a following in England and the US, they’ve translated their first album into English, and are working on a English version of their upcoming work as well.

At the moment the band is preparing their long-awaited new album,Elegia Balcanica, due to be released in September 2014 which will be distributed worldwide. The band recently signed a contract with Miner records which should give them better possibilities to distribute their music.

If you like to get to stay in touch with the band, head over to the band's Facebook site or check out more video stuff on their Youtube channel.

As for now check out one from their older videos below to get a idea of the band's abilities.