Milenium - 2017 - Sudba

(50:11; Orphictone)

Track list:
1. Sudba 5:31
2. Oieo 4:15
3. Duzhd 5:20
4. Ti Si Svyatiya 3:14
5. Ti Edinstven Si 3:55
6. Vurvi Napred 5:00
7. Kogato Mechut Stane Krust 7:09
8. Pokrit S Lyubov 5:42
9. Novo Surtse 6:02
10. Lyubima 4:03

Line-up:
Joey Petrov - keyboards, vocals
Tony Grapes - vocals, guitars, keyboards, bass
Stratsi Dimitrov - drums
Blazhko Matanov - bass
with:
Ivo Ivanchev - drums
Ventsi Velev - guitars
Michelle Nahabedyan - saxophone
Danny Grapes - vocals 
Todd Radilov - vocals
Heinrich Jonk - vocals 
Hermann Maintes - vocals 
Lia Petrova - violin 
Kiril Matanov - viola 
Lyubomir Nikov - cello 
Radoslava Tsvetanova - cello


Prolusion.
Bulgarian band Milenium was formed back in 1987, and from what information I can track down it would appear that the band released two albums over the years. Their debut album "Change Your Life" appeared back in 1995, and in 2017 their second studio production "Sudba" was released through Japanese label Orphictone the following year. It would appear that the band went into a period of hiatus following the release of this second album.

Analysis.
This band was marketed as a progressive hard rock band, with references to Asia first and foremost. From my point of view I'd describe the style explored on this second album of theirs as pretty much in the heartland of AOR and melodic hard rock, but expanded with certain details and elements pulled in from the progressive rock realm.

Strong and melodic lead vocals are a staple throughout, and catchy and captivating melody lines and harmonies are defining features throughout. The songs in general and the arrangements in particular tend to be smooth, and with a distinct FM radio sensibility, while a little bit of grit in the form of a darker and dirtier guitar sound makes its presence known on a few of the more energetic tracks that close in more on the hard rock expression while stepping away from the AOR territories. 

While I do find that quite a few of the songs remind me ever so slightly of bands such as UK band FM, there are some expansions and twists that appear on this album that aren't all that common in this part of the music scene. The most common of these are slightly more expansive keyboard arrangements, of the kind that occasionally comes with a slight tip of the hat in the direction of the neo-progressive and symphonic progressive rock traditions. Slightly more uncommon are inclusions of folk music elements, and even more so the songs that feature orchestral details and a more dramatic vocal style of the kind I tend to associate with the good, old rock opera. We also get some side steps into jazz and jazz inspired territories along the way here, and while not a defining aspect of the album as such it is an expansion that I'd describe as rather less common among AOR type rock bands.

I suspect that the main negative for this band, as far as getting attention outside of their native Bulgaria, is that they sing in their native language. For music of this kind in particular, where the vocals have such a dominating and commanding presence, this is a drawback. But as far as songwriting, performance, mix and production goes this is a most solid production on all levels.

Conclusion.
While I suspect that those who track down this band and this album expecting to find a band similar to Asia might be a bit disappointed, those who know, love and treasure their AOR style melodic hard rock and enjoy this form of music when it is more expressive and comes with nods and inclusions of subtle progressive rock elements should have a field day with this CD. Especially if they either speak Bulgarian, or if they are able to enjoy music of this type without having a grasp of the language being used. A solid and charming production, but perhaps for a more finite and limited audience due to the language barrier.

Olav "Progmessor" Björnsen, September 2025

Links:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100050621357580
http://www.orphictone.com/