After Crying - Struggle For Life (2000)

Artista: After Crying

Álbum: Struggle For Life
Año: 2000
Género: Rock sinfónico
Duración: 129:56
Nacionalidad: Hungría

Lista de Temas:
CD 1:
1 Viaduct
2 Stalker
3 Sleepin' Chaplin
4 Little Train
5 Suburban Night
6 To Black I - Excerpt I.
7 Intermezzo
8 Pilgrims' March
9 Sonata
10 Burlesque
11 To Black - Excerpt II (ImproVision)
12 Goblin Dance
13 Hommage à Frank Zappa
14 Starless (Featuring: John Wetton)
CD 2:
1 Fun Fair Land Opening - Excerpt
2 Judas
3 Windblown Waltz
4 Struggle For Life
5 Fun Fair Finale - Excerpt
6 Crash And Cry
7 Stonehenge
8 Conclusion
9 Arrival Of Manticore II / 1
10 Confess Your Beauty - Excerpt - Cello Guitar Duet
11 Piano Solo
12 Drum Solo
13 Trumpet Solo
14 Arrival Of Manticore II / 2
15 Conclusion - Finale

Alineación:
- Pejtsik Péter / Cello, Bass Guitar, Vocals
– Egervári Gábor / Flute
– Torma Ferenc / Guitar
– Winkler Balázs / Keyboards, Trumpet
– Görgényi Tamás / Vocals
West:
John Wetton / Vocals, Bass (track 14)

El Mago Alberto había prometido este discazo y como siempre cumple a lo grande. Disco maravilloso que estoy escuchando desde ayer que me lo pasó, viene a sumarse a nuestra cruzada pro-After Crying, verdadero aporte musical que desde el mundo progresivo hace a la cultura toda.
Y no es para menos, After Crying es una de las bandas más importantes y de mayor calidad tanto estética como técnica que se ha dado en el rock progresivo europeo de los últimos tiempos. La agrupación ha logrados sintetizar y unir de una manera genial la música clásica contemporánea de cámara, con el rock progresivo e incluso, con elementos de la psicodelia, creando una fusión nunca antes vista de elementos doctos y en menos medida del jazz con aspectos folk y melodías propias del mejor rock progresivo.
Así que vale la pena conocerlos y hacerlos conocer.

Calificado por gran parte del público mexicano como "El mejor grupo progresivo del mundo", After Crying se pasea por el globo terráqueo regalándonos su osada, compleja y virtuosa música. Este disco doble fue grabado durante la ultima gira mundial del grupo e incluye una buena selección de su tan celebrado recital en méxico durante el Baja Prog '99.
En concierto, After Crying interpreta piezas de sus 6 obras principales, en especial del "After crying 6" y del "De profundis" sin olvidar el homenaje a Frank Zappa de su primer disco. Además esta colección contiene una versión de "Starless" de King Crimson con John Wetton como invitado.
Este disco es el testimonio de una banda en perfecta conjunción y que reúne a un puñado de virtuosos interpretando música de muy altos vuelos. Ustedes ya los conocen, ahora disfruten otra vez del concierto. (Genial portada).

El Cordero Sinfónico

Durante el año 2000 los After Crying editan éste material en vivo que ahora nos comparte el Mago Alberto. El formato también se realizó en dos CDs, y donde se incluyeron selectas compilaciones de grabaciones en vivo del año 99 y del año 1997 en registros de recitales en México y en no me acuerdo que lugar europeo, incluyendo el tema realizado con John Wetton, con quien hicieron el memorable tema "Starless" de King Crimson, aunque si mal no recuerdo ese registro se grabó en Budapest. Bueno, sigan leyendo que seguro en los comentarios de terceros lo aclaran bien, no confíen en mi memoria.

"Similarly to the best so called prog bands (ELP, King Crimson, Yes); we never wanted to be progressive. It's only a term, and not a very apt one because of its rather misty meaning. The only benefit in being labelled, as a prog band is the fact that those very few present-day musicians we really esteem are mentioned in this category too. Of course, it is obvious for us that Keith Emerson, Robert Fripp, John Wetton and the few other really significant artists always want to make impressive, intelligent, and important music, and never care if it's progressive or not, if it fits in any label or not. So do we. We want to make contemporary music and we feel that the "progressive" box is often too narrow for that. It is when progression means the following of a fashion even if it's some kind of counter-fashion against the commercial and popular ones. We care only the word we want to transmit and the complex impact of our music on the people who listen to it without prejudice and preconceptions. We feel that the totality of each composition is more than the sum of it’s components such as virtuosity, intricate rhythms, sophisticated chord changes, breathtaking solos, and fantastic sound, because we profess that without that integral synthesis all these efforts are meaningless"

After Crying about After Crying

Otra vez influencias clásicas, crimsonianas y emersonianas, todas perfectamente cohesionadas y presentadas ahora en un disco de auténtico infarto... La prueba del algodón para cualquier banda de rock suele ser el directo, y en este caso After Crying no decepciona en absoluto, al contrario.
Así es que el Mago Alberto nos trae un discazo en vivo de los genios húngaros, y ahora lo tienen a su disposición. No lo dejen de lado al igual que al resto de álbums que estamos publicando de esta superbanda. Vamos ahora con el comentario de Alberto que es el que vale, porque él trae el disco:

Cumpliendo con la palabra empeñada en una reseña de After Crying, acá va el doble en vivo grabado a fines de 1999 y principios del 2000, en Budapest y en México, reflejando quizás la madurez de un grupo que supo sacarle jugo a la vocación de sus integrantes.
Un disco que cierra por todos lados, incluida en el final del disco 1, una versión de Starless de King Crimson cantado por el original John Wetton y con una instrumentación sencillamente espectacular, un gustito que se dieron los muchachos, quienes nunca renegaron de su admiración Crimsoniana.
Una belleza que no puede pasar desapercibida por los amantes de la buena música, mucho progre, mucho coqueteo con el clásico y el jazz, y una inspiradísima ejecución, hacen de esta obra un resumen exacto de After Crying.
Hablamos del buen gusto en otro posteo, de la buena técnica académica de sus integrantes, y de detalles precisos de su instrumentación, todo esto brilla en esta obra de dos discos, quienes se hayan predispuestos a escuchar a estos eximios húngaros no saldrán defraudados del viaje.
Una salvedad es la técnica de grabación en vivo puesta al servicio de After Crying en este tour, ojalá hubiera existido en décadas anteriores la maquinaria que existe hoy para los registros en vivo, éste es otro detalle a destacar cuando uno escucha este trabajo.
Sin mas preambulos bienvenidos a un discazo del progre del este europeo.

Alberto

Y como siempre, no pueden faltar los comentarios de terceros, ahora en inglés. Y lamentablemente no he encontrado comentarios de este disco en castellano.

The Hungarian band was founded in 1986 but their first album, "Overground music", was released in 1990. "Megalázottak és megszomorítottak" (The insulted and injured), their second and most symphonic album was published in 1992, and "Föld és ég" (Earth and sky) two years later. In this period, the band performed many-many exciting and special shows with different formations from an acoustic quartet to a 15 member ensemble or a guitar based rock band. It seemed rather obvious for almost everyone that if Vedres quit, After Crying is finished. Still, when he did quit in 1994, that particular thing happened, which is implied in the name of the band. After a crying, after a deep crisis the band resurrected, indeed, they got higher than ever before.
In 1996 After Crying achieved the biggest success at the first Hungarian Progressive Festival playing among such outstanding performers as Peter Hammill, Ritual. Their fourth album "De Profundis", the first one without Vedres, was the CD of the Month in November of 1997 at Cranium Music. In August of 1997 they gave a memorable gig at the West End Festival in Budapest, where they performed the immortal King Crimson hit, "Starless", together with the original singer, John Wetton. Similarly, After Crying was the biggest surprise of ProgLive in Corbigny in August of 1998, and BajaProg in Mexicali in March of 1999. After Crying got the best-band-in-1998 title from the experts of Highland magazine. They made a great success last July at Castello Festival in Italy playing among such famous bands as Jethro Tull, Porcupine Tree, and Banco. While the line-up often changed from the beginning to the very present, the most determinant persons have always been there. However, the band considers its current membership as the consequence of a crystallisation, which finally produced the innermost core of After Crying. So the line-up for the After Crying who recorded this double live CD is as follows: Egervári Gábor - flute, live sound, words & ideas, narration; Görgényi Tamás - art director, conception, lyrics Lengyel Zoltán - piano, syntheziser; Légrádi Gábor - lead vocal; Madai Zsolt - drums, percussion, syntheziser; Pejtsik Péter - cello, bass, violin, lead & backing vocals, compositions; Torma Ferenc - guitar, keyboards, vocals, compositions; and Winkler Balázs - trumpets, piano, synthesizer, bird, compositions
On "Struggle for life" we can find a compilation of '99 live recordings and a '97 recording of "Starless" (King Crimson) featuring John Wetton and recorded in Budapest. The CD opens after an intro with "Viaduct" - (5:15) from their album "6". It is an up-tempo piece with some Emerson Lake & Palmer influences. So this is a nice sympho opener. After that one of the (many) highlights of the album "Stalker" - (12:32) from "De Profundis". In my opinion one of the most beautiful pieces they ever wrote. The title comes from an Andrei Tarkovsky film. In the song there is a recording of a József Attila poem spoken by the Hungarian actor Latinovits Zoltán. The Hungarian poet and the Hungarian actor both died tragically under misterious circumstances at the same railroad track. The sad melody combined with the poem in this piece gives me the shivers. In the end (after some King Crimson like guitar pieces) you can hear the train on the tracks. For further details I would like to mention the interview with Görgényi Tamás in our interview section. "Sleepin' Chaplin" - (3:17) is a slow piece with beautiful melodies on flute, trumpet, cello guitar and synth string. Then a classical piano piece "Little Train" - (2:23). Next is "Surburban Night" - (3:36) which opens with the allways sad but beautiful sound of the cello combined with a trumpet solo. This piece we know of "De profundis" and "Almost pure instrumental" and show us the classical spirit of After Crying. "To black…" - (1:35) comes from their debut "Overground Music" and is very classical and forms a bridge to "Intermezzo" - (2:33) where Pejtsik Péter also plays the violin. Another favourite of mine is "Pilgrims' March" - (5:09) with a great melodic guitar solo. Again some classical acrobatics in "Sonata for Violoncello and Piano" - (3:47). The musical craftsmanship of all the musicians is one of a very high level. The piano piece "Burlesque" - (3:07) can be used for a Charly Chaplin movie.
After that "To black…" evolves into an improvisation "ImproVision" - (5:21). There are a lot of themes in this piece. Only the very big bands, like King Crimson, have the musical skills to do an improvisation on stage. In "Goblin Dance" - (5:16) from their marvelous album "De Profundis" we here great piano and cello work. If you could only buy one studio album of After Crying this would be my choice. "European Things" with the subtitle "Hommage to Frank Zappa" - (8:46) is one of the view songs with vocals. It is most of the time up-tempo and has all kind of European influences. The English translations of the lyrics are been published for the first time, and are in the detailed booklet that accompanies the CD. The last track of the first CD is an '97 recording of the King Crimson classic "Starless" and special guest John Wetton himself is playing the bass and is doing the vocals. It is a very accurate cover, and it is still a great song, which slowly builds up to a great climax. There is even a saxophone solo in the end. "Starless" is one of the favourite songs of John Wetton. I was lucky to meet this great musician once in a local radioshow and he told me that the album "Red" was his favourite King Crimson album and that he loved to play "Starless".
The second CD opens with an excerpt of "Fun Fair Land Opening" - (1:25). A fast opener which goes allmost seamless into "Judas" - (9:16) from their third CD. There are a lot of vocals and trumpet in this track, but also some fine guitar pieces. In the end the trumpet and the guitar has vicious duals. Then the tempo slows down with "Windblown Waltz" - (3:13). Beautiful melodies on trumpet, flute, organ and cello. Now it is time for another highlight, the title track "Struggle for life" - (8:23) a sympho piece which slowly builds up with a lot of synths and guitar. After three minutes we hear the poem "With a pure heart" and after some acoustic strings the piece devellopes again into heavy sympho with fat guitar and keyboards. The finale of this piece is "Big evil fun fair finale" - (2:06). Then there is the previously unreleased "Crash and Cry" - (5:30). Great guitar work ala King Crimson. The piece is one long guitar solo, which in the end is accompanied by threatning keyboards. I like it very much. "Stonehenge" - (4:35) is the great cello solo from "De Profundis" played by Pejtsik Peter. This guy is really freaking out on his instrument.
The intro of "Conclusion" has a melodic vocal line. And soon we hear what this piece is all about (subtitle is "A tribute to Keith Emerson"). Delicious keyboards like Emerson Lake & Palmer. After a while the piece slows down and sounds more classical with Emerson like piano work. The great vocal line returns and after some cello the piece goes again into fat sympho with some organ in the end. This is indeed one big tribute to Emerson. ELP lovers will be falling in love with this track. And it is not over yet. We go further with "Arrival of the Manticore II" - (5:20). I don't have to tell you how it sounds. But with the vocals it has the After Crying spirit. "Confess your beauty" from the first album is also woven into this piece. And the music doesn't stop. It goes on and on. First the "Cello-Guitar Duet" - (2:24) then the "Piano solo" - (1:33), a great "Drum Solo" - (3:46) and the "Trumpet Solo" - (1:19) All the musicians are showing their skills one by one before the "Manticore" - (1:50) arrives again. "Conclusion" ends with the "Finale" - (3:08) from the album "6". In total the "Conclusion" counts 30 minutes! After listening to this long track I was speechless. I just wanted to hear it again.
This band can bring their fantastic music on stage too. You can here After Crying enjoys playing live. And if you get the chance to see them performing on stage, you know what to do. All the musicians have great skills on their instruments, and are playing music, which comes straight out of their hearts. This double CD is essential for all the After Crying fans in the world. And for people who don't know the band; this is an opportunity to get a nice overview of their work. The CD's are packed with music and information of the band. On the second CD there is a 19,3 MB data track with all the information you need. And the songs "Shadow song" - (5:52) "Radio Rarotonga" - (4:36) and "Don't betray me" - (3:01) which didn't fit on the CD's are compressed into MP3 format and were included as well.

Douwe Fledderus

The best introduction to AFTER CRYING. Really, an essential album to understand the band. Music flows from classical and melodic to dark and depressive, including improvisation numbers with an impressive instrumentation variety. This Hungarian fantastic "chamber band", evidently clasically trained, is a very innovative thing in progressive music. Too much highlights in this album, specially the beautiful KC's "Starless"version, with John Wetton. Highly recommended.

Marcelo Matusevich

Dear cousins Hungarians, where are you hiding! Having heard only two Hungarian prog bands (Solaris and After Crying) I'm certain that it's a qualified prog country. First things to notice about both bands is the very high playing skill, most likely received by classical training, and the inclusion of classical instruments such as flute. After Crying has also violin, cello and trumpet.
This is the 1-CD version of live compilation and shows the band's mastery at stage. It's hard to say how well the chosen pieces represent the output, but I do hope this is NOT 'the best of After Crying' as I would see it (I'm on my way of hearing more). There's an epic 'Conclusion' dedicated to Keith Emerson and it really sounds like ELP as their most pompous. Also 'Radio Rarotonga', the first song after the instrumental opening number, seems pointless to me with its spoken repetitive narration. But the rest is fine chamber rock - including beautiful melodies played by gorgeous trumpet for example - that leaves me hungry for more. I like the singer's voice as well. The final number 'Starless' features John Wetton and is very faithful to the original in King Crimson's Red. Definitely a band not to ignore.

Matti P.

A True Masterpiece Symphonic Prog live album!
As I was sitting at the Semarang airport to fly back to my hometown Jakarta last weekend, I purchased a pocket book titled As a Man Thinketh by James Allen from a small bookstore located at the boarding room. It's a matter of habit whenever I read a book I used to play music and because I did not have a luxury of decent stereo set, I opened my LifeDrive PDA and select album from p-tunes software. As I guessed that this book must be a philosophy one, I selected a live album by After Crying "Struggle for Life" which I had been listening to it and liked it very much - that's why I ripped the CD and installed it to my PDA. It was not a wrong choice at all because the pocket book is really great with heavy philosophical content about man and how he can control life and destiny using a single power: thought! Yeah man .. even though I was waiting for my flight I did enjoy the waiting very much because I learned the book content accompanied by great music by After Crying. What a life! Well - don't get me wrong! There is no direct connection between the book and the music but . the nuance where I absorbed the book contents into my mind and my heart was smoothly accompanied by great music of After Crying.
So . let's talk about the music and forget about the book because this is not the right forum doing it, isn't it? I would be very happy to share the book that definitely help shape my life (oh yes, I'm sure) with you. Just drop me an email. I owned this CD (used) quite late already - it was October last year, I think, when a friend of mine offered me with an unbelievable price of US$ 5.50. By the time I owned I only heard the band's music from CDs that I loan from another friend. I did like the CD right away I spun it and since then I repeated the CD at my player. It's a compilation of After Crying live concerts. The opening track "Viaduct" serves as a platforms to embark for further musical ecstasy. At first glance this track reminds me to the music of SAGA with its pulsating keyboard sounds in ambient style. The music builds firmly into a fanfare style with trumpet solo followed by riffs and dynamic drumming with all instruments played together. Looking at this opening track only you might be pretty sure that it's gonna be an awesome live performance presented right here in this live album.
The next track "Radio Rarotonga" is basically a narration using non-English (Hungary?) language which is translated in English as printed in the sleeve note. It basically tells a story on a small island Polynesia - one of the world's largest platinum suppliers. There is little music presented here except some background keyboard, percussion and trumpet at small volume, at the back of narration. However, it's a very interesting one to enjoy - at least for myself. I especially like when the narration says "Radio Rarotonga" . it's cool!
Track 3 "Pilgrim's March" (oh what a coincidence - this is the month of March!) was the first track that blew me away the first time I spun this CD last year. It's basically a medium tempo music featuring guitar solo in instrumental song. The guitar solo is really stunning augmented by tight bassline and dynamic drumming / percussion. When the flute takes the solo, the rhythm section uses powerfully accentuated percussion sounds augmented with excellent bass lines. That's how the instruments are played and I haven't talked abpout how the melody builds up in this song. Yeah, the melody builds up wonderfully throughout the track played intertwiningly by guitar and flute. It's hard to deny how great this track is. I always repeat this track whenever I play this CD.
"Shadow Song" starts with excellent flute and tick tock clicking at the back followed with powerful voice line. This track is heavily influenced by classical music especially the piano work at the background. The piano solo itself indicates the jazzy influenced wonderfully followed with violin solo and later with trumpet solo. Great track. "Burlesque" is more obvious indicates the classical music through stunning piano solo. It reminds me to Keith Emerson's "Honky Tonk Train Blues" even though it's different. The rhythm section of next track "To Black - excerpt II (improVision)" reminds me to the collaborative work of Jon and Vangelis but this time After Crying uses trumpet solo to bring the music into a silent long sustain keyboard work. The later segments of this track reminds me to the music of King Crimson especially Island album.
CONCLUSION (31:32) is an epic that comprises track 7 - 14. It's probably the center of this album because the composition is comprehensive combining the slow opening of "Conclusion" (track 7) which comprises vocal and piano at background. The music flows in crescendo into dynamic one in the vein of Keith Emerson because this track is a tribute to him. I can see the music is really dynamic with frequent style changes. Even though keyboard plays important role, trumpet, guitar and drums also play critical roles. This track also contains silent part with piano solo.
It moves seamlessly to next "Arrival of The Manticore II/1" (the title reminds me to ELP) with dynamic combination of compact keyboard work, tight bass lines and energetic drumming. Wow! It's really great - especially the segments with ELP style but this time guitar plays obvious role. This groundbreaking track is continued with "Cello-Guitar" duet which demonstrate how powerful the band's musicianship here. Other instruments are also given a chance to perform solo including: "Piano Solo", "Drum Solo" and "Trumpet Solo". All of them are played excellently and stunningly. Definitely, you cannot skip this track as it indicates that the band's music is truly great! No exaggeration I apply here with my statement - the music of this album is top notch and it deserves 5 stars rating! I even want to cry when the Cello and Guitar duet take place in this epic. Not that the solo is great but overall - the accompanying music is terrific!. The piano solo is also killing me especially when the basslines sound like using acoustic bass guitar in jazzy style. The drum solo is also amazing. Well, this is definitely a five star-rating music. Top notch!
The last track is a cover of King Crimson song "Starless" where it features John Wetton at vocals and bass guitar. Basically this track is played very similar with the one performed by King Crimson. This is one of my King Crimson favorite tracks and it's performed wonderfully by After Crying and John Wetton. Even the guitar playing is very similar with the one played by Mr. Robert Fripp of King Crimson.
All tracks recorded 24-track analogue except track 15 recorded 24-track digital. This compilation of '99 live recordings and a '97 recording is produced by Zenei Rendezo. What also interesting is the excellent cover artwork designed by Beleznai Kornel, DOT Studio. The mastermind of CAST, Alfonso Vidales, also appears in the credit list at the sleeve note. Dunno what exactly he was doing with respect to this album, but it's great knowing him being thanked by the band.
How should I recommend you after a long review? Of course, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND you to purchase this album. It's a true masterpiece of symphonic prog album with great sonic quality.

Gatot Widayanto

Fantastic live album by the symph masters from Hungary. These guys are some of the most talented in the business and they pull off their sound, mini-orchestration and prog, with flare and dynamicism. Right off the bat, 'Viaduct' is in your face, bombastic in an ELP way and rocks! In fact, if you're a fan of ELP, you'll love these guys and they will do a killer King Crimson when need be, (last track is the classic KC song 'Starless' with John Wetton on vocals and bass!). It's when you listen to the monumental 31:32 minute track, 'Conclusion' that you'll realize how fantastic these guys are. It's a tour-de-force that has to be heard. My only complaint is the spoken-word music-less track, 'Radio Rarotonga'. Why they would do something like that in a live setting is beyond me. Sure, it works on a concept album, but live? Naaa! But that's a minor quibble. This is one of the best live albums of symphonic prog recorded in the 90's and a must have.

Ray Rappisi Jr.

Available as both an 'essential' single CD or as a full length double (which also contains 3 mp3 songs as well as plenty of other stuff to download), this captures Hungary's top progressive band on the road. And this really is progressive rock at its' very best. While in some ways similar to King Crimson (the one cover is of "Starless" which features guest John Wetton on bass and vocals), they are much more diverse than that. Songs veer from the very short to the very long, from the simple to the incredibly intricate. During the opener "Viaduct" there is a breathtaking trumpet run (yes, trumpet) competing with the electric guitar for dominance.
It is not an album to be played in the background, but rather one that demands total attention and if the listener is prepared to give the time then they will be much rewarded. Hungary has a lot to offer in the way of music, and After Crying have already performed at Baja Prog in Mexico. This is their eighth (and ninth) album on Periferic, and all that I have heard of theirs I have most definitely enjoyed. If you like 'proper' prog, and not 'neo-prog' then search these guys out.

Kev Rowland

Si hay algo que me gusta de estos húngaros es que a pesar de ser tremendos técnicamente, los tipos arman su música desde el corazón, y sus temas con tremendamente emocionales, y si uno tiene ganas de escarbar un poquito más se dará cuenta además del compromiso de los músicos con temas sociales y dramas particulares. Música profunda, inteligente, con contenido y emoción... y si a eso le sumamos que es técnicamente pasmosa ¿qué más se le puede pedir a una banda?
Solamente se le puede pedir una cosa: que podamos conseguir sus discos. Y eso es bastante difícil con estos húngaros pero para algo está el blog cabezón que se empecina en dar a conocer estas maravillas musicales.
Espero que lo disfruten tanto como yo. Otro disco ultra, recontra, super y recontrasuper recomendado. No se les ocurra perdérselo!!!!!