Aktor – Professori (Season Two) (High Roller Records)

 

Aktor is an international project combining the talents of Jussi Lehtisalo and Tomi Leppanen of Finland and Chris Black of the United States.  In the ten years since its inception, Aktor managed to release three records.  All excellent, but also very different from each other.  The band keeps their hand on the pulse and continues to move forward.  Their music can be described as heavy rock/hard rock.  If you like either genre, Aktor will get under your skin in no time.

“Professori (Season Two)” appears to be a concept album, where one theme flows from song to song.  In this case, it’s the mysterious disappearance of Professori and the struggle that follows.  Not only is the concept realizing itself lyrically, but the band also applies sounds and musical passages that create a feeling of mystery and suspense.

There are sounds on this album that could easily exist within the world of Rush, Saga, or Blue Oyster Cult, yet it is Aktor that brings it to you with sincerity and conviction.  Aktor is extremely original in its approach and execution; they give each song exactly what it needs.

“Professori (Season Two)” is a very ambitious record presented by a band that perfected their writing and delivery.  While concept albums sometimes leave you guessing, it’s mission accomplished for Aktor!  It’s quite amusing that musicians from different parts of the world can put their minds together and create such magic without regular interaction.  As Chris Black points out in one of the songs, “You won’t regret this.”

Mark Kadzielawa

Professor Emeritus – A Land Long Gone (No Remorse)

 

Professor Emeritus re-emerges with a new lineup and a brand-new album. It’s definitely the beginning of a new chapter in the history of this band. While their debut (“Take Me to the Gallows”) was very impressive, this is a band with a slightly different dynamic and sound. Both albums stand tall on their own, and it’s not fair to compare them.

“A Land Long Gone” is a solid dose of epic metal backed up by excellent musicianship. The songs are catchy, well balanced, and adventurous. There are many unexpected right and left turns that take the listener by surprise. The band challenges itself by incorporating variety of influences that a lot of texture to the song structures. All of this combined makes this record want to be played on a repeated basis.

Vocalist Esteban Julian Pena is a great addition to Professor Emeritus. His vocals soar all over this record, and the color of his voice adds certain electricity to the music. What’s also very impressive is the incredible rhythm section consisting of Jose Salazar on bass and Chris Avgerin on drums. Those two players are working overtime here, and they need to be heard! Guitarists Tyler Antram and Lee Smith are extremely proficient, and they complement each other extremely well.

“A Land Long Gone” is an excellent record; it captures a very special feel and shows a lot of potential for the years to come. Professor Emeritus is definitely on the right track. This is a great collection of songs; you play them, and as soon as the album is over, you simply want to hear it again. Professor Emeritus certainly adds another flavor to the already rich Chicago metal scene.

Mark Kadzielawa

MIP – Passing By (Analog Twins Records)

 

The first impression when you hold this album in your hands is that   something very dark and provocative is hidden within it. The cover photo—remarkably bold, by the way—brings to mind the imagery of the first season of True Detective. Even before hearing a single note, you can sense an atmosphere of darkness and uncertainty.

MIP stands for Make Impossible Possible—the new band formed by Artur Hajdasz, a longtime member of Made in Poland. That band was a legend of the Polish cold wave. For some reason, the name could no longer be used, but the abbreviation—and above all, the music—leave no doubt. "Passing By" is a clear continuation of that group’s legacy.

The “new” band consists of former members of Made in Poland, Agressiva 69, and Jesus Chrysler Suicide. Their musical résumés are impressive, but ultimately it all comes down to a simple question: is it good? The answer is a definite yes. Once you start listening to this album, it’s hard to stop.

Most of the material was created in England, where a key member of the group now lives. That’s probably why most of the songs are sung in English—it reflects the environment in which they were written.  Although London serves as a point of reference, the music still carries that distinct “Manchester” vibe that Made in Poland perfected years ago.

“Passing By” contains nine tracks, each different from the next. What binds them together is the overall mood of the album. This music immediately seeps into you; even the most subtle sounds penetrate deeply into your consciousness. You journey from track to track with MIP—it’s an incredibly pleasant, though dark, trip. Songs like “Look Left Look Right” and “Black Winter from the Sun” have a unique atmosphere, as do “Angel” and the title track.

You can hear immense precision in this music—everything feels mathematically coordinated, even when it sounds seemingly chaotic or unstructured. This makes listening to it an intellectual adventure.  Glimpses of dark intelligence are clearly present here, and it’s easy to fall under their spell for the duration of the album. Though this record will continue to challenge listeners for many months to come, there’s no doubt that MIP has created a truly outstanding album that proudly stands on its own.

Mark Kadzielawa