Progres 2 – Dialog S Vesmírem 1980 (Czechoslovakia, Progressive Rock)

Progres 2 – Dialog S Vesmírem 1980 (Czechoslovakia, Progressive Rock)

I have reviewed their previous album "Maugli (As Barnodaj)" and I must admit it's almost shocking how much better "Dialog S Vesmirem" is compared to it. What happened in those 2 years ? This was apparently the first Rock Opera that was performed in Czechoslavakia and to get a taste of that you'd have to get the double live album that has the same title as this one. I'm so impressed with the bass, drumming and guitar work on this album.There's a JRF vibe at times and these guys can flat out play. Lots of synths here too. We do get vocals as well which sound good.
"V Zajeti Pocitacu" opens with an incredible guitar solo then the rest of the band kicks in around a minute.The bass here is huge. "Zeme 2555" opens with vocals and guitar then it kicks in fairly quickly. Catchy stuff and again the bass is very fat and the guitar impresses. "Pisen O Jabiku" has a spacey intro then acoustic guitar,vocals and bass standout.This is mellow but beautiful. Keys and synths follow. It picks up before 6 1/2 minutes. Love the bass and guitar here as we get a fantastic instrumental section right to the end. "Odlet" has this very epic intro then it settles in before a minute but it's uptempo.Vocals around 1 1/2 minutes. Chunky bass too. A powerful and dynamic final 2 minutes. Killer stuff.

"Planeta Hieronyma Boche I" is MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA-like to start. How good is this ! That changes when the vocals arrive 2 1/2 minutes in although it's still powerful. "Planeta Hieronyma Bosche II" opens with atmosphere and some ground shaking bass. It kicks in with drums after a minute. We get some vocals and vocal melodies. It settles after 3 minutes as the guitar starts to solo and it goes on and on right to the end. Amazing. "Ticise Mych Oci" opens with sounds that build including chunky bass. It calms down with vocals then kicks back in after 2 1/2 minutes with synths too. Nice. It settles again with vocals.The guitar to end it is incredible. "Hymna Robotu" opens with a drum solo that is so impressive. I'm not usually into them but this is inventive. Bass then vocals come in.

Well McFly is right this is a masterpiece and one of the best albums I have ever heard from the Czech Republic.Review by Mellotron Storm


Tracks:
01. In Captivity of Computers — 3:07
02. Earth 2555 — 4:06
03. Song About an Apple — 9:31
04. Departure — 5:39
05. Planet of Hieronymus Bosch I — 4:40
06. Planet of Hieronymus Bosch II — 6:10
07. Museum of Planet Earth — 3:26
08. Thousands of My Eyes — 4:51
09. Anthem of Robots — 4:39
10. Conversation With the Central Brain — 4:47
11. Chase — 1:55
12. Scream In Proxima Centauri — 6:04
Bonuses:
13. Song About an Apple — Edit — 4:36
14. Roentgen 7:30 PM — 2:14
15. Planeta Hieronyma Bosche ’99 — 4:37

Personnel:
Zdeněk Kluka — drums, bells & recorder (03), clavinet (08), lead (04, 08) & backing vocals, conductor, producer
Pavel Váně — guitar, lead (02-05) & backing vocals
Milos Morávek — gui