Imaginations On The Subject Of Infinity: A Mind-Bending Ride Through Metal and Prog Rock
Let’s cut to the chase—Vital Science’s Imaginations On The Subject Of Infinity is one of those albums that grabs you by the collar, shakes your brain around a bit, then leaves you wondering if reality just shifted while you weren’t looking. Released in 2014 under Power Prog (a label known for its love of progressive madness), this European gem blends heavy metal grit with prog rock ambition and sprinkles in some pop/rock vibes for good measure. It’s not perfect, but damn does it leave an impression.
First off, let me tell you about the lineup because these guys are clearly wizards disguised as musicians. You’ve got Alexey Boykov on vocals, who sounds like he was born to scream poetic lyrics into existence, and Sergey Boykov hammering away at keyboards like he’s conjuring spells. Then there’s Rustam Guseinov pounding drums so hard I’m surprised they didn’t break mid-recording. And don’t even get me started on Aleksandr Volpert and Vladimir Mihailicenko shredding guitars like their lives depend on it. Stanislav Kilmasov holds down the basslines with all the subtlety of a freight train—exactly what this kind of music needs.
Now, onto the tracks. With songs like “The Last Trial” showing up twice (once at the start and again later), you’d think repetition might dull the impact. But nope. This track hits different every time. It opens with a riff so sharp it could slice through steel, building into this massive wall of sound where Boykov’s voice soars above everything else. There’s something oddly cinematic about it—it feels like the soundtrack to a sci-fi epic where humanity fights impossible odds against cosmic forces. Or maybe that’s just my imagination running wild. Either way, it sticks with you.
Another standout? “Bridge of Sorrow.” Yep, another double-entry situation here, but trust me, hearing it once ain’t enough. This one starts slow, almost mournful, with keys setting the mood before the rest of the band crashes in like a storm rolling over a mountain. The interplay between guitar solos and keyboard melodies is downright hypnotic. By the time the chorus kicks in, you’re ready to march into battle—or cry your eyes out, depending on how deep you’re feeling that day. It’s emotional, chaotic, beautiful—all the things great prog should be.
And hey, props to Vital Science for throwing curveballs like “Endless Sky,” which leans more toward melodic pop-rock territory compared to the heavier stuff. It’s refreshing without feeling out of place, like taking a breather during a long hike only to realize the view is still stunning.
But honestly, what makes Imaginations On The Subject Of Infinity special isn’t just the technical skill or genre-bending experimentation. It’s the sense of adventure—the feeling that Vital Science went into this project saying, “Screw conventions; let’s make something weird and wonderful.” Sure, the album has moments where it stumbles, trying too hard to cram every idea into a single song. Yet somehow, those flaws add charm rather than detract from it.
Here’s the kicker though: listening to this album feels less like entertainment and more like therapy. Like, who knew heavy riffs and soaring vocals could help process existential dread? Maybe Vital Science tapped into infinity after all—or maybe they just really love playing loud, complicated music. Whatever the case, give this album a spin if you’re tired of predictable tunes and crave something that’ll mess with your head in the best possible way.
Final thought? If infinity had a playlist, Imaginations On The Subject Of Infinity would definitely be on shuffle. Just saying.
