Wind and Memories is the impressive debut release from the Bulgarian progressive rock band Untold Stories. Formed at the end of 2022 by the highly respected guitarist Daniel Eliseev-Marinovski to not only record original music, but perform it live as well – the original instrumental trio has been joined by expressive keyboardist Nikolay Samatdjiev, with guest vocals from Boil Karaneychev working to great effect. The result is a fresh and vibrant mix of progressive rock with elements of art rock, prog metal, heavy prog, psychedelia and space rock, with an accessible, melodic character throughout.
Daniel has been making great music under his solo Daniel Eliseev Project (D.E.P.) name for many years. 2018’s Night Shadow album was well received in the prog community, and this was followed in 2021 by Lost Humanity. Both highlighted his virtuoso and powerful guitar playing, as well as his compositional skills. Untold Stories marks the next stage in his musical journey, and it is well worth jumping onboard and supporting his new venture.
The rhythm section of Alek Tsandev on bass, and Radoslav Mitev on drums and percussion, do a fine job of creating a solid foundation over which Daniel and Nikolay provide the sparkling instrumental colour and texture that grabs the listener’s attention. Yet Boil’s guest vocal contributions are an integral part to the album and help create the diversity and light and shade across the eight tracks.
The album has a loose conceptual theme combining ‘Wind’ – a symbol of life and movement, and ‘Memories’ – the tangle of imprints that life places in our minds. Specific themes covered include: the need to share and empathize, love, forgiveness and its power, the expression of our human nature through the interweaving of past memories, the present and aspirations and dreams relating to the future, and the importance of a person fighting for their dreams and for their loved ones. The lyrics are rich and articulate and have a contemporary resonance in the present, troubled world we live in.
War and its devastating impact on humanity is touched upon with both the album’s opening and closing compositions. Broken Light begins with an intriguing, futuristic electronica soundscape before we hear an unsettling guitar riff, which then morphs into full-blown prog metal with rich and pulsating bass and drums, with stabs of keyboards.
War is described through the eyes of the soldier who takes life and the medic who tries to save it. It recreates the torment and thoughts of both and highlights that life is the most precious thing in this world and that war is a curse. Light is a metaphor for life, with the soldier seeing fading, ‘broken’ light, whilst the medic strives to bring it to those he treats.
Free your mind, push away the pain.
Let the sun touch your face again,
Write the next love song.”
There are Rush-like guitar chords and swirling synths which accompany clear, melodic vocals and there is an overall Dream Theater character to this opening track. A later instrumental section has the SOS Morse code distress signal, with human voices in different languages saying the phrase ‘Save Lives’ before Daniel delivered a controlled, and initially spacious, guitar solo, which gains complexity before the main theme is reprised. It is certainly a powerful opening statement.
Flying Away maintains the intensity, with Radoslav’s galloping drum beat propelling this infectious, melodic rock/AOR song. Vocal harmonies add to Boil’s urgent vocals, with a catchy and uplifting ‘fly away’ chorus getting its hooks into you, with Alek’s busy bass playing intertwining with Daniel’s guitar riffs (and another well-pitched solo) and Nikolaj’s dazzling keyboard contributions. The track flows well, through to its closing crescendo. It is a song for all those who are not afraid to take difficult path and follow their hearts and dreams. Those who break free from habit and pursue their dreams, especially when daily life feels false and monotonous.
Fly away, fly away, nothing’s what it seems outside,
Fly away, fly away, never look behind,
Fly away, fly away, keep your faith alive in you.”
Wind and Memories is the excellent, multi-faceted, two-part epic of the album and lies at the heart of it. Lyrically, the protagonist looks back in time and remembers the mistakes he made in his relationship with his beloved. In his dreams, he goes back and tries to correct his mistakes. Although it begins in a whirl of heavy musical intensity, the introduction of almost spoken vocals signals a more paced, rumbling and almost funky tempo. More light streams into the musical interplay and lyrics, with chiming keyboards adding to the instrumental template. Some lovely soaring guitar lines take centre stage, but a blast of proggy synths adds some lovely complexity towards the end of Part 1. There is a shift in mood, with repeating motifs and a darker, cinematic feel to Part 2. The vocals have a more thoughtful and lighter timbre – express a more wistful feeling.
It’s a long winding road but it’s ours,
All I wish is (to) travel it with you.”
Nikolay’s keyboards have a hypnotic pulse to them, and they take the song through to its slightly unsettling and ambiguous conclusion.
The Power of Forgiveness has a more measured tempo initially, with more contemplative vocals, but whilst wonderfully dreamy in places, it still manages to build up a musical head of steam at times – whilst lyrically emphasising that “The power of forgiveness, will show the way.” The instrumental section that follows has some lush organ and showcases Daniel’s diversity of guitar styles, with the rhythm section once again setting the tone before more keyboards and guitar merge together satisfyingly.
Faces is an instrumental interlude where the band combine wonderfully, with all of them contributing to the music. There is almost a jazz fusion feel to the first half of the track with the keyboards provide a smooth chordal background, but then it becomes darker and more intense, with Daniel’s heavy, resonating riffage joined by some synth-led flights of fancy over more strident drum and bass. Tantalising echoes of Rush are still there for me, but then a driving bass line and haunting sliding guitar sounds introduce another lyrical guitar solo and a final keyboard flurry. There is a lot of prog complexity squeezed into just over 5 minutes, and it is another highlight for me. Daniel states that within the music he tried to weave the memory of all the significant faces of loved ones who are no longer in this world together, despite time tries to erase their images in his mind.
Piece of You provides a more restful contrast to start off with. The guitar sets up a nice, repeating pattern over which the vocals fly freely, with some telling background harmonies. Yet the bass and drums still set up an underlying dynamism which supports the pick-up in pace for the accessible chorus. Although a more modest track in ambition, its conciseness is refreshing and there is still time for another touch of effective guitar soloing before the sudden ending. Lyrically, it is another song about memories. A person whose beloved has lost her life is afraid that time will erase the memory of her. Therefore, he keeps it constantly alive in his thoughts and tries to escape from the reality, hoping to meet her someday in the afterlife.
Lonely step to a dream.
No more tears to be cried,
You’ll be my paradise”
Another atmospheric, electronic-led introduction sets off Purple Lake, with Daniel’s deep and repeating guitar pattern taking us through to yet more expressive vocals and lush keyboards. Radoslav’s drumming once again keeps the music driving through, and heralds more melodic prog rock sounds with Alek’s bass supporting Daniel’s thrusting guitar chords and an economical burst of soloing. There is an instrumental unselfishness throughout the album, with an emphasis on supporting the musical tapestry, without excessively long, or self-indulgent virtuosity. Daniel says that Purple Lake is a magical place that is a corner in our consciousness where we keep some of our innermost memories and dreams and from it, we draw energy and inspiration for new ones.
Bloody Moon closes the album and is another anti-war composition. Starting atmospherically with some brooding musical interplay, Boil’s breathy vocals add to the shadowiness, along with Daniel’s understated guitar. Blood Moon is the personification of hidden evil and she feeds on human greed, inciting her acolytes to hatred and to kill each other. Here, the lyrical intention is not to moralize and pass judgement, but to provoke people to think more deeply – almost like a mini-version of Dante’s Inferno. The song steadily grows in potency and finally breaks free with a deliciously dark guitar solo and a rise in musical intricacy and power through to its anxious, unsettling, keyboard-led finale.
Wind and Memories by Untold Stories is a highly enjoyable and consummately produced album of heavy, melodic prog rock. These talented musicians display some stunning instrumental interplay and musical synergy, full of light and shade, with bright and accessible vocals and meaningful lyrics. Daniel Eliseev’s new band project produce progressive rock with bite and grit, but balanced with melody, restraint and depth that would appeal to the wider UK, European and American market, beyond their existing Bulgarian and Balkan Peninsula live base. More than enough complexity and intricacy to appeal to prog rock listeners, but with an accessibility to grab more mainstream rock music fans. Wonderful virtuosity, but never at the expense of the integrity of the compositions and the quality of the ensemble playing. A hidden gem well worth discovering on Bandcamp. Spread the word!
TRACK LISTING
01. Broken Light (7:04)
02. Fly Away (4:59)
03. Wind And Memories (10:19)
04. The Power Of Forgiveness (7:02)
05. Faces (instrumental) (5:17)
06. Piece Of You (4:52)
07. Purple Lake (5:16)
08. Bloody Moon (8:18)
Total Time – 53:07
MUSICIANS
Daniel Eliseev-Marinovski – Guitars
NIkolaj Samardjiev – Keyboards
Alek Tsandev – Bass
Radoslav Mitev – Drums, Percussion
~ With:
Boil Karaneychev – Vocals
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: Independent
Country of Origin: Bulgaria
Date of Release: 24th January 2025
