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Reviews :
Hoggwash. What can you say about the name? I have to admit that it immediately turned me off and they were relegated to the heap of new bands that I was not going to invest any time or effort into investigating further. Just because of the name. But I have to tell you, do not be put off by the name because this is some very fine, mainly keyboard driven prog that should appeal to a lot of neo/symphonic listeners here.
Thanks to Erik Neuteboom for helping me get past the name and listening to some samples on the Hoggwash website. I deemed it worthy of purchase and have a very fine album with loads of melodies. The band is the brainchild of Welshman Will Mackie, founder of the Caerllysi Music label. From what I can tell, he wrote the music and brought in Ukrainian sensation Antony Kalugin to be the man to get the music played. His keyboards are the main force but there are quite a bit of very nice guitars throughout and that are given the spotlight with some lovely solos. The rest of the band complements the proceedings professionally. The flute, oboe and strings are also featured. The best comparison I can make to another band is Satellite and this album should be a no brainer for fans of that Polish outfit. Even Kalugin's vocals have a bit of that Satellite sound. Low and husky, they are not as powerful as some others out there, but they certainly fit well with the music here.
As far as the Satellite comparisons, I think this album is a bit more adventurous. After the first listen, you may be underwhelmed but further spins show that there is a lot going on and there is more meat on the bone than you might think. The tempo varies and the sound is full, with the main instruments standing out and providing great melodies. Guitarist Roman Philonenko really shines both in backing up the bountiful keyboards and when given one of his many solos. They range from slow and tasteful to occasionally blazing. They do not overstay their welcome as there are many more keyboard runs to get to.
I urge anyone with an open mind to check out the samples to get a taste of what is on display here. This is modern prog that can appeal to the old school folks who like their keyboards plentiful and varied. Kalugin is a guy who delivers and bears watching in the coming years. I was very pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoy this and look forward to more from Hoggwash. A solid four stars. Now, about that name.
By John Mattern.(johnobvious) Posted 3/3/2009
Progarchives
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Once in a while, you come across an album, that..when the first tones hit you, you realise ”this is gold”!!
HOGGWASH's
debut album: “The Lost Horizon” is one such album!! Out of respect for
both musicians and readers, I normally listen to an album, at least 5-6
times, before making judgment, writing a review!! Don't get me wrong, I
still do that. But this fine debut, on the first listen, first track,
had me cheering out loud: “YES” (which almost gave my cat, always
residing/sleeping next to me, a heart-attack.)
But
seriously, this is a rare fine debut. It has all the makings of a great
prog album and certainly a contender for best prog newcomer this year!!
You get plenty beautiful and smooth soundscapes, you get superb
keyboard play, towering unison guitar/keyboard solo, you get excellent
production, mix and arrangements. Though not by any means a copy/clone
band
Hoggwash
has hints, allegations and leanings to such bands as: SAGA, CAMEL, PINK
FLOYD to name a few! And why not? Mentioned bands have had (and still
have) a great impact on many generations up till now and beyond!
“The
Lost Horizon” are the excellent example of co work between two major
musically talented people, across the borders of separate countries,
but also across the borders of culture and sentiment.
Now,
let me sink my verbal teeth in to the flesh of this fine album.
According to the creators (Will & Anthony) this concept album, are
to be followed by at least one more (maybe 2?) albums !!? Lets hope so!!
First
track: “Out of the Darkness” opens with some fine narration, soon to
glide into a steady theme, with guitars and keyboards to the fore and
some very relaxed vocals “walking” us through the song/lyrics! A
beautiful acoustic almost classical, in traditional orchestral way,
interval midways breaks the theme of this epic (15:30 min.) track
before returning to yet another great theme. So a very
long, beautiful
and varied composition, reminding this old proghead of a mix between
Alan Parsons project & Camel at their absolute best!! What a great
way to start an album!!
“Reflections
of Life” continues in that same excellent style powerful without being
heavy, beautiful without being banal, extravagant without being
pretentious. Just superbly delivered, composed and finely arranged
music!! I'm really amazed, this is top of the class,
artrock/progmusic!!
“Under
a Rainbow Sky” ..well, you get the picture. This track also shines,
with brilliant keyboard solo and chord themes, strongly supported by
fine guitars and hey, some neat vocal harmonies !! Great stuff!!
“Road
of Many Challenges” again...im flabbergasted, this track also boast´s a
fine beautiful theme, keyboard, guitar and flute(?) one could almost
hear hints of Jethro Tull´s magic in there!! This album is absolutely
brimful of great themes, any great new artrock/progband would give
their right arm, just to have, create or compose, just a few of these!!
That´s all you get, from me. The rest of this magnificent debut album are for you to buy, explore and cherish!!
And believe you me, you will! It really is amazing what Will, Anthony and the "boys", have created here!
Anyone
seriously into great artrock/progmusic and for that matter anyone into
beautiful, well-crafted music with keyboard deluxe to the fore, must
own this fine album!!
I cant wait to hear the next outing from these excellent musicians!
Im not that impressed by the cover art, but hey that´s me...some like Dali and some like Matisse!!
By tlarz Published: November 12, 2007
Progplanet
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Quite
whether it was by luck or good judgment that I discovered this release,
I’m not sure but needless to say, I’m damned pleased I did. About a
year or so ago I was looking for an online store to buy a particular
album and found Caerllysi music to be my nearest stockist, so obviously
ordered it from there. Whilst browsing their site I came across a
competition for an album by a Ukrainian band
called “Karfagen”.
Despite them being previously unknown to me, I entered anyway and
ultimately won. The CD arrived, thoroughly entertained me, impressing
greatly with the musical talent on display but the lack of vocals
somewhat detracted from the wonderfully interesting music it contained.
So
it has been with great interest I have watched the story of this
release, which is a collaboration between South Wales based Will Mackie
of “Caerllysi Music” and Ukranian Antony Kalugin, from “Karfagen”,
unfold within the web-site, catching sound bites and waiting for the
day I could finally hear it in all it’s glory. Well that day is here!
Described
by Will as “a journey”, “The Last Horizon”, in the greatest prog
fashion, is a concept album following a young man’s search for his own
identity through all of life’s trials and tribulations aided by a
mystical “Wizeman”. To deal with the 8 tracks here individually, or
single out just one, as a highlight, wouldn’t do justice to the flowing
passages contained within over an hour of delightful
music.
There is nothing too self-indulgent, nothing overly challenging to the
listener, just plenty of perfectly atmospheric keyboard/guitar driven
rock. Flutes, oboes, even an accordion (I think) add colour to some of
the quieter moments. There are also plenty of extended instrumental
pieces, which are sufficiently interspersed by gentle vocals to keep my
attention. In fact, I’ve found myself totally immersed in this on
several occasions, something that I haven’t been able to say of many
other of the genre’s recent
releases.
“The
Lost Horizon” is a retro-prog masterpiece, which deserves to be
mentioned in the same breath as landmark releases from such 70’s giants
as Camel, Genesis, Focus and Pink Floyd. If you have even a passing
interest in this type of music, this should be in your collection,
without a doubt.
Best of all there are promises of a continuation of this story, watch this space, or better still http://www.hoggwash.net/
Rock of Ages Score : 4/5
Rock Of Ages
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This
is a very special musical project that started on the Internet where
singer Will Mackie (from a pastoral village in Wales) and multi-
instrumentalist Antony Kalugin (from a busy city in the Ukraine) got in
touch with each other. They shared a love for progressive rock and this
has resulted in the release of this debut album by Hoggwash. The name
is derived from a spirit that helps people to
come from
the dark into the light if they are desperate or feel broken, this
symbolizes that there is always light at the end of the tunnel.
The
sound of Hoggwash is more symphonic prog but less adventurous than
Antony his other project Karfagen. Nonetheless, Hoggwash has succeeded
to make varied and interesting music with flowing shifting moods and
good breaks, often topped with strong solos on keyboards and guitar.
The first composition is the long and captivating Out Of The Darkness:
lots of variety (from compelling and dreamy to
mid-tempo
and bombastic) and a lush instrumentation featuring fluent synthesizer
runs, heavy guitar riffs, wah-wah guitar, powerful vocals, mellow hobo,
warm classical guitar and some accordion. The colouring with the
keyboards is wonderful with the sound of brass, Hammond and Mellotron.
The other seven tracks also manage to keep my attention for the full
running time like in Road Of Many Challenges (from dreamy with soaring
keyboards, flute and Mellotron to compelling with howling guitar and
mid-tempo with sensitive guitar
and flashy synthesizer flights), Like A Miracle (strong interplay
between varied keyboards and guitar along good solos), Another Friday
Night (beautiful mellow atmosphere with acoustic guitar, a slow rhythm
with howling guitar and bombastic with Hammond, synthesizer runs and
wah-wah guitar) and the dreamy final song The Last Horizon delivering a
slow keyboard solo, flute and acoustic guitar. This CD is a strong
calling card by Hoggwash!
The
special bonus CD contains five tracks: Seashell is a bit spacey,
Rainbow Part 1 delivers both swinging Fender Rhodes piano as xylophone,
Rainbow Part 2 has a tight mid-tempo with exciting keyboard work and
the final two songs (from Antony his New Age solo albums) sound ...
quite mellow. It also contains video footage from a Karfagen rehearsal
including the previously not released song Waiting
For A
but this ‘Caveman reviewer’ cannot play it on his computer... My
rating: 3,5 stars.
erik neuteboom
Progarchives
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I
was introduced to this band by a friend, and I've taken a keen interest
in Ukrainian keyboardist Antony Kalugin and his various projects (among
them, Sunchild, Karfagen and The Spacious Mind), and I find Hoggwash to
be a nice eclectic blend: symphonic prog laced with rocking guitar
riffs and nice keyboard runs, an occasional folksy feel, and even at
times a big band-like swing. There's a lot
to like here,
and I glean occasional musical references to the like of Mike Oldfield
and Bo Hansson. Above all else, melodies are very strong and central on
the CD's (as well as the bonus disc's) tracks.
My
personal favourite is the track Another Friday Night. It takes a couple
of minutes before the musical direction of the track is unveiled, and
it becomes highly contagious, with a brilliant chorus sung of the words
Dirty money's money no matter where it's been.
I
find this work and its mastermind highly commendable and recommend it
strongly to anyone who enjoys longer pieces fleshed out with nice
guitar and keyboard runs. The vocals are strong and lyrically
compelling. I anxiously await the next work Kalugin sets his energy to.
Bob Briggs
Progarchives
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The
music and the lyrics to this new release have been with me for many
years now. Will Mackie is a dear dear friend, who kindly enough has
shared his thoughts, his music and lyrics with me over the years. So
this new album has a very special place in my heart due to fact that
we’ve spent hours/years talking about “it”. I’ve promised Will to be
honest, so I’ll do my very best. Still, it’s great
to see Will’s
big dream finally come true, after years of hard work. The
collaboration between Will & Antony Kalugin (Karfagen) is very
special & unique, which this album reveals in abundance. For a
first album it’s very strong, filled to the brim with great symphonic
music. The lyrics has depth, they are touching, meaningful and filled
with love to life and mankind.
The
opener “Out Of Darkness” is a true symphonic track filled with Antony’s
great keyboards, smoking guitar soloing/riffs. Antony’s vocals are very
strong, with just a little accent. The track is built up perfect, with
many breaks and some beautiful interplay between the entire band.
“Reflections
Of Life” opens with “our” very own Scotsman Tam’s great voice. Then it
turns almost Alan Parsonish in the beautiful theme-the way the track is
build up- A great art rock piece of music.
“Under
A Rainbow Sky” is a semi-classical-art rock-symphonic piece of music,
filled with strong vocals, heavy keys and some excellent guitar
soloing.” Road Of Many Challenges” is a masterful track. Complex,
constantly changing rhythm and pace. Ad to this an almost
Camelish/Tullish sounding flute which is played perfectly. Great track.
“Like A Miracle” (the beginning) could have been taken from
any given
track from Steely Dan or Donald Fagan (that creamy keyboard sound). A
heavy sounding guitar solo breaks the track, with a great Hammond in
the back. This is really a great piece of music.” Watching The Sun Go
Down”, again a masterful symphonic track filled with awesome guitar
soloing, many outstanding keyboard sounds/soloing/riffs and great
vocals/harmonies. One of my fav. tracks.” Another Friday Night” is a
symphonic masterpiece, with outstanding music and great lyrics. We get
acoustic guitars, dreamy keyboards,
great drumming and some meaningful lyrics. The vocals/harmonies are
great and sung with much conviction. Roman Philonenko’s guitar, both
electric and acoustic ones are fantastic. The title track ends this
great release. A track filled with beautiful soundscapes, great flute,
awesome keyboards by Anthony and a great feeling runs throughout it.
There’s
no doubt in my mind that Will & Antony have made a unique and very
special album. Just that it’s possible to make music over that long
distance is fantastic. Wales via Ukraine? Will have found a fantastic
talented musician in Anthony, no doubt about that. Ad to this all of
Antony’s friends, who all is very gifted musicians, each and every one
of them.
To
be honest, this is a much greater release than I had ever dreamed of.
One thing is getting all those great demos over the years from Will.
Another is a reel album with cover and all. The production is crystal
clear(Will Mackie); the instrumentation by all involved is outstanding.
Every single musician shines here. Hats of to Will for getting this
album out to all of us, who love & treasure
great
music.
I
think you owe it to yourself to try out Hoggwash. One thing is curtain:
This is great music, progressive music, performed by a unique unit of
very talented musicians. Looking foreword to the next Hoggwash project,
which according to Will, is on the way? Way to go Will, you’ve done it.
Hoggwash gets my highest recommendations. For lovers of symphonic music
this is a reel treat.
Ps;
The album is also sold as a special edition. With a great bonus cd,
which is well worth the extra prize. Filled with exciting and fun stuff.
By progleo Published: November 19, 2007
Progplanet
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THE PLAYERS:
Antony Kalugin : Vocals, Keys, Percussion & Programming
Roman Philonenko :All Guitars
Artem Kalinin : Drums
Sergey Kovalev : Bayan & Vocals
Lesya Kofanova : Flutes
Helen Bour : Oboe
San Zhara : Strings
Voices:
Will and Jane Mackie, Mark Kalugin, Tam Laird and Richard Nicholson.
All Tracks Written By :
Antony Kalugin & William Mackie, Track 6 Antony, Will & Balon.
Recorded At Kfg Studios, Kharkiv, Ukraine Oct 06 to June 07
Mixed & Mastered By A. Kalugin
Produced By W. Mackie
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