Sergey Rybytskyy: New Vista (2012)

SERGEY RYBYTSKYY is a Ukrainian composer and instrumentalist who cites artists like Marty Friedman, Jason Becker and Tony Macalpine as some of his main influences. Besides classical music that is. "New Vista" is his debut album, and was self-released as a digital album only through the CD Baby website in the spring of 2012.

And it is something of a Gordian knot Rybytskyy presents on his initial journey into the world of recording artists. He's not a guy limited by perceptions about stylistic expressions for starters, and accurately classifying him within a specified stylistic expression is just about impossible. For better or worse I guess, depending on point of view.

Those fond of classical music in general and chamber music in particular will enjoy most of the numerous tracks brief in length, and in particular the minuets and waltz he have chosen to include. Utilizing keyboards I presume, but still managing to convey a true feeling of classical music on these occasions, albeit in more of a contemporary instrumental coating.

Those who enjoy harder hitting, neo-classical metal will get their share of music to enjoy too however. Title track New Vista, JVP, Chameleon, Profound Influence, Deliverance and to some extent Marathon all explore this approach to a lesser or greater extent, with plenty of neo-classical runs, harmonized guitar and keyboard constructions and the occasional shredding exercise incorporated into fairly engaging and well constructed packages. Although in the case of the latter of these, Marathon,  a recurring hair metal oriented theme is something of a mood dampener. And it should also be noted that the keyboard is given just as much space on most of these excursions as the guitar, and that a symphonic backdrop if not present will always be close by. As such these are full fledged compositions to a much greater extent than mere instrumental showcases, and while this will expand the scope of this album quite nicely some dedicated guitar enthusiasts may not find this aspect to be quite to their taste. There's also room for pieces with more of an emphasis on mood and atmosphere on this production, best represented by Weariness. A slower paced, mournful construction that evokes a feeling that fits it's given name very well indeed.

I've broadly divided the tracks on this album into separate categories. These divisions aren't due to extreme differences and borderlines cast in stone however, as a close inspection of this production will reveal something of a uniform atmosphere throughout and that some compositions corresponds better within the specified categories than others. Rybytskyy appears to enjoy mixing elements around a bit, and gives the impression of being an artist that doesn't care too much about honing in on any detailed specified genre of music.

I do suspect that a key audience for this album still will be a crowd with a certain taste for neo-classical, guitar dominated music however. And in particular those among them who also find classical music and symphonic art rock to be music generally sorted under an interesting description. A decent and promising debut album all in all.

My rating: 70/100
Track list:
1. Prelude
2. New Vista
3. Minuet C-Moll
4. J V P
5. Weariness
6. Minuet D-Moll
7. Chameleon
8. Profound Influence
9. Waltz a-Moll
10. Deliverance
11. Marathon
12. Minuet F-Moll