Enine - 2018 - The Great Silent

(43:00; Art Beat Music)

Track list:
1. Welcome to the Monochrome 0:59
2. The Curse of Dr. Caligari 4:00
3. The Light of Metropolis 3:54
4. Workers 5:54
5. Frankenstein 4:37
6. Nosferatu (The Great Vampire) 16:35
7. Waiting for... 6:18
8. ...the Colour 0:43

Line-up:
Vladimir Mikhailov - guitars
Ilya Frolov - keyboards
Vladimir Nikonov - drums, harp
Vladimir Kosygin - bass, percussion, voices
Stanislav Tregubov - flute, djembe


Prolusion.
Russian band Enine was formed back in 2016, and released a live album fairly quickly after their formation that documented the output of the band from their very first live event. Since then the band have released a good handful of singles, as well as two studio productions. "The Great Silent" is their debut album, and was released back in 2018 through Russian label Art Beat Music.

Analysis.
In many ways I find this album to be a bit of a nod of the hat towards a few classic bands and the output they had in their most respected time periods. As for which bands I suspect opinions may differentiate, and that my associations may well be different from others. Subjective taste and subjective perceptions will obviously have an impact on such matters.

For my sake I will classify this production inside of the symphonic progressive rock tradition, and then mainly due to the often expressive use of keyboards that is a defining feature throughout. With both excursions of a more dramatic nature in place as well as more floating, careful and dream laden trajectories and patterns being very much in place.

My main association, especially early on, are towards the latter part of the classic era of German band Eloy, from "Ocean" through to "Planets". First and foremost due to the keyboard sound and the manner in which the keyboards are used throughout. With sound, mood and atmosphere being the main points that fuel this specific associations. The use of the flute in many parts also comes with some obvious associations, with some songs that do explore dreamlike landscapes of the kinds many fans of Camel will find familiar sounding. That being said, we also get an example of a flute and guitar riff combinations that those who love and treasure early Jethro Tull might find to be both familiar and enticing.

This is also a band that probably are well aware of the classic era of neo-progressive rock, and many songs do feature sequences or passages with more of the atmospheric laden type of landscape I tend to associate with this subset of the progressive rock universe. More often than not explored inside more of a symphonic progressive rock context though, and this is an album that may well be a case exemplifying that separating those traditions can be a matter of a difficult debate among those with a passion for the correct subgenre placement for bands.

From my perspective the band does lose their way just a little bit in places here, especially in the second half of the album, but not to the extent that this can really be described as a weak point. A few good creations surrounded by solid and compelling compositions is probably the way I'd summarize this production. It should perhaps be noted that this is an instrumental album too, as that fact does matter to people in the case of whether or not an album will be of general interest. And as tends to be the case with the productions I have been sent from the Art Beat label over the years, the mix and production is clear, distinct and generally appealing. If that label is active as of 2024 is a matter I'm unsure about though, as their homepage is down and has been down for a bit. So if they are gone as a label, that is a loss.

Conclusion.
For those who generally enjoy progressive rock when explored in an instrumental guise, this debut studio album by Enine comes across as a tasteful and accomplished production. From my perspective it is the shorter cuts in the first half or so that are most interesting, and then first and foremost those that feature keyboards that sound like they may have been inspired by some of the classic Eloy albums. In general I'd say that those who love and appreciate late 70s and early 80s Eloy and Camel should have a good chance of finding this album to be of interest, and in particular if you also enjoy a bit of classic era neo-progressive rock.

Olav "Progmessor" Björnsen, April 2024

Links:
http://enine.ru/