Vitalij Kuprij - "Forward And Beyond" Review

Artist: Vitalij Kuprij
Title: Forward And Beyond
Produced by: Vitalij Kuprij
Label/ Date: Lion Music/ 2004
official Vitalij Kuprij website

Tracks:

1. Forward And Beyond [5:40]

2. Piano Overture [5:37]

3. Time WIll Tell [6:50]

4. Varitions In D Minor [5:02]

5. Far From Home [6:32]

6. Phantom Flurries [1:06] (Europe Bonus Track)

7. Solar Impact [5:02]

8. Illusion [2:57]

9. Message of Hope [5:54]

10. Idol Tribute [6:47] (Europe Bonus Track)

The Review:

Vitalij Kuprij has a brand new instrumental CD, titled Forward and Beyond, containing eight neo-classical based songs, plus 2 solo bonus tracks on the European digi-pack version. The current Artension keyboardist, and former Ring of Fire member, brought along a host of guitar shredders for this recording to produce an aggressive, classically inspired instrumental metal release.

I’m only aware of two of the eight guitarists. The first being Symphony X’s guitarist Michael Romeo who is on board for the complex "Piano Overture". Then Javier Leal on "Far From Home", The other guitarists fit so well with Kuprij’s keyboard style. He’s never too over the top but very much ever present unlike other keyboardists in this genre. You have to wonder why some guitar dominated bands have a keybaordist in their band when you can barely hear them.

This really isn’t the type of music that will frequent my cd player but I can say it’s very well done and any fan of this genre should pick up a copy very soon.

~Ron for ProgNaut.com [April 13th, 2004]

Band Members:

Vitalij Kuprij - All keyboards, Acoustic piano, Synth bass, and All drums

with:

Roger Staffelbach, Michael Harris, Michael Romero, Jeff Kollman,
Javier Leal, George Bellas, Francesco Fareri & Borislav Mitic - Guitars