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Written by Kev Rowland, 25.10.2009

http://www.silhobbit.com/mambo/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=440&Itemid=109

Andrew Roussak is keyboard player with Dorian Opera, but this is a solo album where he has composed all of the material (apart from two classical pieces by Bach) and has been joined by some guests so that at times this does sound like a band project. Normally progheads are the most forgiving music fans when it comes to different styles, but I am not sure that many would be expecting lounge in the middle of what is predominantly a prog album, witness Do Without Me. But, do you know what? I think it works to a large extent, just not within the context of the album as a whole. But, this is a solo album and part of the reason for recording outside of the band context is that the musician is free to do whatever he/she likes and obviously Andrew feels that it belongs.

However, overall this is a very enjoyable album with some very strong passages. The vocals aren’t always as powerful as they might be, but they work well with the music. This is melodic neo-prog that is firmly middle of the road in that it isn’t challenging any musical boundaries, but it is extremely accessible and enjoyable even on first hearing and at the end of the day isn’t music there to be enjoyed? I feel it could have done with more push and power but for a debut solo this is a worthwhile effort and it will be interesting to see where Andrew goes from here.

Dear Friends:

We proudly present our debut CD to you, No Secrets by Dorian Opera. The CD was recorded from August 2007 through March 2008 at Dorian Opera Studios in Kehl-Kork, Germany and was published in June 2008 by MALS Records; a progressive rock label from Russia.

The unique style of Dorian Opera is built from progressive rock and progressive metal traditions as well as the strong influence of European classical music. Take the powerful lead vocals and groovy bass playing of Joe Eisenburger; add in the virtuoso guitar solos of Oliver Weislogel; keyboard soundscapes and Wakeman style synth passages of Andrew Roussak; mix it all up with fantastic stick and double-bass drum work of Harry Reischmann (to say nothing of Queen-like choirs!) and you will get the sound of DORIAN OPERA!

The 11 pieces of the CD are not bound together with any concept, except music. The only actual statement of this work is the sound. Thematically, we wanted to speak of the things which seem important to us: politics and politicians; killer computer games and suicide rampages; frustration, hope, loneliness and eternal love.

You will find 8 original songs and 2 instrumentals on this CD. The last track is actually a bonus track. This is our rendition of one of the most ingenious musical pieces ever –

L'Estate Presto from Le Quattro Staggioni of Antonio Lucio Vivaldi.

You can order this CD from our website www.dorian-opera.de or via a private message on our Myspace profile www.myspace.com/dorianopera . The CD will be available shortly from www.cdbaby.com for US, Canadian and South American listeners. Please visit again and check the link. A "limited edition" offer includes a small signed banner - within Europe, it can be personalized. Be among the first to get it!

 

Sincerely, many Dorian regards -

Joe, Oliver, Andrew and Harry

Liebe Freunde,

Wir präsentieren Ihnen die Debüt-CD der Band Dorian Opera, „No Secrets" .

Die CD wurde August 2007 bis März 2008 im Dorian Opera Studio in Kehl-Kork, Deutschland aufgenommen und im Juni 2008 von MALS-Records, einem Prog-Rock Label aus Russland, veröffentlicht.

Der einzigartige Stil von Dorian Opera steht in der Tradition von Progressive Metal, sowie dem starken Einfluss klassischer Musik.

Man nehme die Leadvocals und den groovigen Bass von Joe Eisenburger; füge die virtuosen Gitarrenparts von Oliver Weislogel bei, dazu ein Klangteppich und Synth Passagen im Stil von Rick Wakeman von Andrew Roussak, und der fantastischen Drum Arbeit von Harry Reischmann – ganz abgesehen von queen-artigen Chören - und Sie haben den Sound von DORIAN OPERA!

Die 11 Stücke der CD sind an kein Konzept gebunden. Das einzige Statement dieser Arbeit ist der Sound und Ausdruck. Textlich wollten wir von den Themen sprechen, die uns wichtig scheinen: Politik und unglaubwürdige Politiker; Ego-Shooter-Games und Selbstmorde; Frustration, Hoffnung, Einsamkeit und ewige Liebe.

Auf der CD befinden sich 8 Lieder und 2 Instrumentalstücke. Der letzte Track ist ein Bonus-Track, unsere Interpretation von einem der genialsten Musikstücke des Barrock: L Estate Presto aus den Quattro Staggioni von Antonio Vivaldi.

Die CD ist über unserer Website www.dorian-opera.de oder über eine Nachricht auf unserem Myspace Profil www.myspace.com/dorianopera erhältlich. Sie wird in Kürze von www.cdbaby.com in den Vereinigten Staaten, Kanada und Südamerika verfügbar sein.

Eine limitierte Ausgabe beinhaltet ein signiertes Leporello, innerhalb Europas mit persönlicher Wittmung.

DORIAN OPERA - Joe, Oliver, Andrew und Harry

 

 

Ranking - 5,50, Reviewed by Vitaly Menshikov
Prolusion. Formerly a citizen of Russia, Andrew ROUSSAK has been resident in Germany ever since 2001. He is a professional musician, classically trained in fortepiano, and was recognized as the best independent keyboardist and instrumental soloist by the German Pop & Rock Awards in 2006. No Trespassing is the debut solo album by the artist. It consists of ten tracks, two of which, Prelude and Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring, are Andrew's interpretations of the pieces by Johannes Sebastian Bach, and all the others are his original compositions.

Analysis. Besides European Classical Music, Andrew names ELP's Keith Emerson and Rick Wakeman as his primary sources of inspiration, but personally I find him to be much more influenced by the Yes keyboardist, especially as regards his performance technique, two instrumentals, Prelude and Vivace Furioso, being on all levels strongly reminiscent of Rick's work, instantly bringing to mind The Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Since analog keyboards play a key role on most of the tracks, the album's overall sound comes across almost exclusively as vintage, but nevertheless only the said two pieces depict classic Symphonic Progressive in a form that was most widespread at the heyday of the genre, which I see as a positive factor, though not because none of the other compositions come across as being derivative. Of the remaining three instrumentals, Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring and All Good Things both have strong leanings towards Classical music and are dominated by a virtual symphonic orchestra, very convincingly reproducing the sounds of various string and woodwind instruments. Finally Wartime Chronicles is symphonic Prog-Metal rather than anything else, a highly diverse multi-sectional composition perfectly reflecting its title in mood and eventfulness alike. Regardless of the style or even the wealth of outside factors in a couple of cases, each of the instrumentals is a success due to an excellent blending of writing, arranging and delivery. The songs vary in style also, but first of all I'd like to point out for you what unites the five tracks from this category of compositions. Although Andrew and his band mates still prove to be resourceful musicians, providing solos much more often than playing chords, they rarely start on an all-instrumental raid here. In other words, the vocal-based pieces all feature few instrumental interludes, while it's exactly during those movements when the music there (as well as everywhere on the disc) is especially compelling, at least from a classic progressive viewpoint. Owing to their specific sound, the title track, Lost in the Woods and Rhythm of the Universe all may at first seem to be steering in the same direction as the two compositions described first, but are in fact pomp rock creations, close to early Saga in construction, though neo-proggers preferring vintage keyboards (Oliver Wakeman was the first:-) to come to my mind in this respect) can also serve as reference points. Maybe is a light Classical music-stylized ballad and is fine as it is, probably a perfect ending for the album. Only the eighth track, Do Without Me, is not to my liking at all and seems to be generally out of place on this recording. This is a blend of Blues and ¦50s commercial Jazz whose old-fashioned nature is far-fetched, the vocals being delivered in a playful manner very much like Marilyn Monroe's in the "Some Like it Hot" movie.
Conclusion. Showing versatility and skill while handling his massive array of keyboards, Herr Roussak appears to be quite a good disciple of his teachers in absentia, particularly on the instrumentals. Overall, No Trespassing is a solid debut effort and should delight many art-rock fans, especially those who don't put musical complexity at the head of their list of priorities.

Written by Vitaly Menshikov, published on www.progressor.net on 11 May 2008

 

Reviewed on 02.04.2008 by Artur Chachlowski

English translation provided by Mat, Alexiakl ( members of  Magle Intl. Music Forum )

Andrew Roussak is a Russian born (Ufa) pianist who has moved to Germany, the place where he found success, and 2 years ago he was honored by a German official award "Pop & Rock Award 2006" as the best keyboard player and the best solo artist.

Andrew considers Bach , Keith Emerson and Rick Wakeman as the big masters. He showed his respect for them on the album "No Trespassing" on which he gathered songs recorded through the years in different studios and countries like Germany, Russia and France.

He put on this CD two own interpretations of Bach’s works: Preludium no. 2 in C minor from "Das Wohltemperierte Klavier" and this famous chorale from cantata no. 147 „Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben" („Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring"). These two very skillfully adapted to the contemporary requirements and played by Roussak in a thrilling way on synthesizers versions of classical pieces are corresponding on "No trespassing" with own compositions of our hero. You can divide them into two groups. First ones are instrumental pieces. And it is here where you can see that Roussak appreciates and respects the achievements of Emerson and Wakeman. When listening to „Vivace Furioso", „All Good Things" and „Wartime Chronicles" one can almost hear that these could be unknown recordings of ELP trio or solo repertoire of Rick Wakeman. Second group of Roussak’s own compositions are songs. They are sung (unfortunately not always in a good way) by Hendrik Plachtzik, and you can also hear other instrumentalists accompanying Roussak: Steffen Hehrer, Olivier Weislogel, Alan Graham, Jurgen Wannenwetsch, Sebastian Sauberlich. Among those compositions we find pieces that can be put into "pop-rock" category (No Trespassing", „Lost In The Woods" or Rhythm of The Universe"), almost musical-like pieces („Maybe"), and even recording with cabaret-vodevil character („Do Without Me").

It is quite an eclectic album but - as I have mentioned earlier - it is supposed to sum up and put together different material, that Andrew’s been working on for last few years. We should assume that his future CDs will be oriented more "one-way" which helps gaining more integrity and stilistic homogeneity. Nevertheless, while listening to "No trespassing" music you can find out three different things. First, Andrew is wonderfully skilled pianist gifted with a divine spark. Second, he is a talented composer. And third, skilled interpretator of the old music who can accomodate it to modernity with help of batteries of his magically played synthesizers.

I give the private piano lessons. My opinion is - everyone is talented, and everyone, generally , is able to play an instrument. Well, sometimes I understand the things too literally - I tried to give a classical piano lesson to my cat Cindy - you can see the result of it below:

Well, maybe Chopin was too boring for her, I don't know...Will try it with a Honky Tonk or Boogie-piano next time.

Actually, I was absolutely overthrown with an amazing international success of a gray lady you can see on the following pic. Her name is Nora.

Now if you still don't believe a cat can play piano - simply go and check this link: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZ860P4iTaM

Nora rules!!!!!!!

Sincerely,

Andrew