Compassionizer - 2024 - The Fellowship of the Mystery

(49:44; ArtBeat Music)






















Compassionizer are back with their fourth full-length album, with the same core line-up as the last one, namely Serghei Liubcenco (guitars, bass, rubab, drums, doira and other percussion), Leonid Perevalov (bass clarinet), Ivan Rozmainsky (spinet, synths, kalimba) and AndRey Stefinoff (clarinet) along with some guests. The only way to describe this is by saying it is progressive, truly progressive, as there is an awful lot going on. In fact, so much I am not even sure how to start. It’s instrumental, classical (with a concentration on chamber music), contains Russian folk and ethnic influences, avant garde and so much more. It is also incredibly enthralling as one never knows where the journey is going to lead, just that it is going to be fascinating.

I have followed Ivan Rozmainsky and his musical outpourings for many years and his relationship with Serghei and Leonid has created something very special indeed. It is music which must be played on headphones and only when the listener has time to really pay close attention as this is music which is all over the place, meandering yet with direction, layered with simple complexity so one just sits there slowly giving up on trying to work out how to put into words what a wonderful album this is, and instead just enjoys it. This may not be a very long review in words, but it has taken me a very long time indeed to write it as I keep drifting into their world when I should be getting my thoughts down on paper.

There is something immensely compelling about this, something which fills my up and makes me feel enriched just for having heard it. This is not something one will ever hear on the radio, but for those who want their music to be somehow dated yet current, classical yet with modern tendencies, rock but with plenty of folk, then this is for you. I think it’s one of the very best albums I have ever come across from Russia and I urge all likeminded listeners to seek this out. 

Kev Rowland, February 2025

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