The Samurai Of Prog—anchored by the formidable duo of Marco Bernard on Shuker bass and Kimmo Pörsti on drums—has long been accustomed to encyclopedic musical undertakings. Yet, with “The 7 Voyages Of Sinbad,” their latest opus released via Seacrest Oy, they achieve a new pinnacle of thematic cohesion. This album transcends the standard compilation format; it is a Symphonic and literary transcription of One Thousand and One Nights. The concept rigorously follows the figure of Sinbad, whose pervasive restlessness constantly drives him from the safety of Baghdad into the unknown, establishing an explicit parallel with Greek mythology, most notably the Odyssey. The album opens not with a bang, but with the atmospheric prologue “Mistress of the Wind.” Composed by Kimmo Pörsti with lyrics by David Myers, this track introduces the seductive call of the sea and the nostalgia that precedes departure. The musical palette is decidedly orchestral and baroque; Unruh masterfully utilizes flutes, violin, and vintage keyboards to evoke the shimmering banks of the Persian Gulf. However, the arrangement does not remain static. Through refined time signature changes, the rhythm section accelerates, shifting the band’s progressive aesthetic toward a slightly jazzier texture—a nod to the accessible side of Canterbury Scene Prog, yet filtered through the project’s distinctively modern touch. “The Valley of Diamonds,” dedicated to Sinbad’s second voyage, finds the protagonist abandoned on an island where he discovers the giant Roc and a valley paved with diamonds, guarded by colossal serpents. This instrumental piece, composed by Stefano Vicarelli, utilizes synthesizers to paint the wonders and dangers encountered by the hero over its six-minute runtime. It serves as a dense, textural exploration of the landscape. The narrative shifts in “Mark The Stars,” the third journey, clearly inspired by the myth of Polyphemus. The crew is captured by a monstrous giant who devours sailors; Sinbad manages to blind him with red-hot iron bars and escape. Written by Octavio Stampalìa, this track—despite being among the album’s shortest—sustains a tension exceeding five minutes. Steph Honde’s vocals deliver the lyric: “Survivor of the beast unknown / returning hero reclaim his throne.” The composition is steeped in symphonic passages but anchored by a dense, driving rhythm section that provides the perfect backdrop for the intense vocal performance. In “End of the Day,” we witness the fourth voyage: a shipwreck among cannibals that induces madness. Sinbad escapes captivity only to be buried alive in a tomb due to a local mourning custom. Composed by Alessandro Di Benedetti and featuring guitar work by Roine Stolt (The Flower Kings), the lyrics capture the irony of fate: “I get a wife right from the king / but it is a bitter gift.” The piece is heavy with pathos, bridging classic symphonic prog with fresh, modern traits. Over its nine-minute duration, dense vocal sections intertwine with instrumental passages of exquisite craftsmanship, featuring guitar and keyboards blending over a soft yet elaborated rhythm section that continuously evolves the theme. “Trapped by Old Age,” marking the fifth voyage, depicts Sinbad enslaved by the Old Man of the Sea, who forces him to carry the being on his shoulders. Sinbad eventually kills him after intoxicating him with fermented berries. Rafael Pacha composes this section, enriching the sonic palette with ancient instruments such as the viola da gamba and zither. Michael Trew’s vocals, accompanied by flutes, underscore the weight of servitude. The track features pronounced Mediterranean and Oriental influences interwoven with darker Progressive Rock textures—a highly refined fusion. In the sixth journey, “The Isle Of Wonder,” Sinbad builds a raft and crosses a dark cavern filled with gems and grey amber, arriving in the kingdom of a generous king who sends gifts to Caliph Haroun al-Rashid. Composed by Kimmo Pörsti, this track features Daniel Fäldt on lead vocals delivering an epic crescendo that celebrates the marvel of the recovered realm. The extended runtime allows for continuous evolution through prolonged instrumental sections and experimental vocal effects. Musically, it is complex and articulated, utilizing piano interludes, constant time signature shifts, and explorative Progressive interlocking riffs that break boundaries. “The Last Shore” represents the seventh voyage. Sinbad encounters bird-men revealed to be demons. After risking death among glaciers and celestial fire, he definitively returns to Baghdad seeking peace. Composed by Marco Grieco and featuring Steve Unruh on vocals, violin, and flute, the lyrics reflect the conclusion of the journey: “No more travels, no more bends / In the city’s arms, I’ll stay.” The track unfolds with technical and symphonic traits, delivering an epic Progressive Rock finale that guides us to the album’s end. The concept concludes with “Sinbad the Sailor,” a reflective outro where Sinbad navigates one last time—not for profit, but to honor debts in shadowy lands, meditating on what remains when maps dissolve. Composed by Chris Engels and accompanied by the acoustic guitar of Massimo Sposaro, the closing solemn line—“Then let the sea decide… or tell”—resonates with finality. With “The 7 Voyages Of Sinbad,” The Samurai Of Prog not only celebrate the tradition of symphonic prog but elevate the concept of the “narrative album” to a total art form. The rhythm section formed by Bernard and Pörsti guarantees stylistic continuity despite the shifting cast of composers and interpreters. This is an opus that demands time and attention; it is a journey where the greatest treasure is not the diamond valley, but the awareness acquired along the path. It remains a profound pleasure to review the work of this collective, which maintains a compositional and executive level of absolute perfection year after year.
Tracklist
01. Guided by the Moon (7:08)
02. The Valley of Diamonds (6:15)
03. Mark the Stars (5:55)
04. End of the Day (9:01)
05. Trapped by Old Age (10:27)
06. The Isle of Wonder (10:26)
07. The Last Shore (10:16)
08. Sinbad the Sailor (6:31)
Lineup
Marco Bernard / Shuker Basses
Kimmo Pörsti / Drums and Percussion
Toni Jokinen / Electric Guitar
With:
Beppe Crovella / Vintage Keyboards
Steve Unruh / Vocals, Violin
Stefano Vicarelli / Vintage Keyboards
Octavio Stampalìa / Keyboards
Steph Honde / Vocals
Alessandro Di Benedetti / Keyboards
Michael Trew / Vocals
Roine Stolt / Electric Guitar
Rafael Pacha / Keyboards, Guitars, Percussion, Sazs, Rehtiz, Viola da gamba, Zither, Flutes, Voice
Mimmo Ferri / keyboards, 12-String Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Backing Vocals
Beatrice Birardi / Darbuka
Daniel Fäldt / Vocals
Marco Grieco / Keyboards, Acoustic Guitar, Backing Vocals
Giovanni Mazzotti / Flute
Chris Engels / Keyboards, Vocals
Massimo Sposaro / Acoustic Guitar
Risto Salmi / Sax