MRW is a project of the Polish composer and guitarist Marcin Waszczak, with which he offers Post-Progressive Rock sounds. As in his previous works, the artist collaborates with various guests, who complete the line-up also on this new album. Entitled “Belle Époque,” it was released on January 03, 2025 and contains five tracks, including an epic suite over 17 minutes long. The opener “Les Épaves” is the longest on the disc, an epic of over 17 minutes that immediately immerses us in the sound and atmosphere of the project. Rich keyboard and guitar textures and a solid, elaborate rhythm section characterise the sound, enriched by tempo changes and a precise use of modulation and effects. The long instrumental textures develop interweaving Post-Rock, Progressive and some Experimental intervals, enhancing the band’s compositional and performing technique and exploiting the long duration to develop the theme of the piece. In a musical crescendo, the band explores the different facets that characterise their personal style, through interweaving and solo textures that are at times virtuosic and very intense. After the strong impact of the previous one, “L’Art Nouveau” opens with softer, more dilated experimental sounds with percussion and effects. This passage ends with a keyboard insert, leading us to the next track. “L’arrivée d’un train à La Ciotat” returns to the sounds proposed in the opening, weaving Post-Rock and Prog with a melancholic touch in and a good dose of Experimentation. The rhythm section is intricate, while the guitar adds a heavy touch to the sound both in the riffs and in the experimental solo inserts that characterise the middle section. A complex and very intricate track, powerful and sophisticated at the same time, showing a more Avant-Garde side to the project. Continuing to explore more experimental sounds in the first part, “Les Fleurs du mal” is a track developed with a musical crescendo. The introductory part is more delicate, culminating in Heavy guitar riffs and a solid, elaborate rhythm section with continuous tempo changes and developing complex textures and melodies. The guitar riffs give a heavier touch to the sound in the finale. Guitar arpeggios and a jazzy rhythmic pattern open “Les Demoiselles d’Avignon,” before developing into a frenetic Post-Prog theme with forays into the Heavy. The structure of this piece is also enhanced by tempo changes, allowing different genres to intertwine between more frenetic and technical passages and softer, jazzy ones. A good track that concludes this pleasant work, elaborate but full of quality ideas. An album that confirms the good things heard in the previous album, also reviewed in our webzine. Long instrumental textures characterise the style of this project, with intricate rhythm sections with continuous tempo changes and prolonged solo interventions. A recommended listen for lovers of Post-Progressive Rock sounds with forays into Experimental, characterised by complex textures and long instrumental tracks.
Tracklist
01. Les Épaves (17:57)
02. L’Art Nouveau (03:51)
03. L’arrivée d’un train à La Ciotat (07:39)
04. Les Fleurs du mal (04:54)
05. Les Demoiselles d’Avignon (05:05)
Lineup
Marcin Waszczak / Guitar, Mellotron, Rhodes, Dictaphone, Recordings, Mix, Mastering, Layout
Rafał Zimny / Bass
Arkadiusz Szop / Guitar
Kato / Drums