It is quite relevant to notice how many new Russian Progressive rock bands that share similarities with EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER are arising. In fact, in cases such as LITTLE TRAGEDIES, Edward ARTEMIEV or HORIZONT, it would be more accurate to evoke XIXth and XXth century classical music, for Slavic culture reasons. AVIVA perfectly illustrates this phenomenon. It is in fact Russian virtuoso pianist and multi-instrumentalist Dmitri A. LOUKIANENKO's project. With the help of a guitarist and a few guests, our man presents today "Rokus Tonalis" on the Musea label. This is a concept-album including several interpretation levels: inspired by Saint-John's Apocalypse, it integrates the polyphonic composition cycle of Paul HINDEMITH for piano in an electric and rock form, riffs and rhythms included. All in all, this opus is a brilliant instrumental music work, obviously reminding of Keith EMERSON and friends, but also GENESIS or YES, and even "The Songs Of Distant Earth" by Mike OLFIELD (Sound effects and voice integration). This is essentially an original work, 70 minutes of polyphonic and symphonic music led with a mastery that leaves you speechless. Rich in contrasts, majestic melodies, dense and luxuriant arrangements, joyfully blending vintage and modern sounds, this music reveals an enormous talent. After a second opus with band name AVIVA OMNIBUS, Dmitri A. LOUKANIENKO turns back to the joys of the solitary musician, as he presents a third volume that's still quite mindblowing. "Peer Gynt In Favour". Released in 2010 on the Musea label, this album is a new tribute to the great symphonic composers of the XIXth century. This reappropriation of Edvard GRIEG's famous music for the theater play by Henrik IBSEN, "Peer Gynt", proves to be quite contrasting. From ethereal to explosive, these nine compositions will certainly delight the instrumental Progressive rock lovers. Don't miss it !