Kev Rowland
If I had listened to this, but had not been told the country of origin I may just have guessed it, but by no means would it have been a certainty. Opener "Beginning Of The End" has a very brisk melody, and some good guitar work but there are also places where it is almost like a Gregorian chant. Yes, Azazello is a prog band from Russia! I don't know how Brian managed to hear about them in California, but this intriguing release is out on the Moonchild label. And a bloody interesting release it is as well. It is very rocky in places with the guitar being very much the lead instrument, while at others it is the keyboards, but what is so interesting about the whole album is the way that the guys keep switching styles many times, even within the same song. They have also brought to bear some Russian touches as well as the more obvious influences such as Dream Theater and Qüeensryche. It is an album that has a definite sound all of its' own and is one that many progheads are going to seek out just because it has a novelty which is all too rare in these days of progressive soundalikes.
I have thoroughly enjoyed listening to this most progressive of releases
Feedback #58, May 2000
