



When the band Sound of Light released their single "Pilate" earlier this year, it was clear that the group had serious intentions of staking their claim in symphonic AOR (adult-oriented rock). The only question was, what's next? Many brilliant aspirations and ideas often succumb to the mundane. But not this time. Today, we're listening to an entire album by Sound of Light, and—no use in beating around the bush—I’ll reveal upfront what the band has shared. Let this not come as a shock to you.
"The album Sound of Light was recorded with a symphony orchestra. Seven tracks, about 40 minutes of music, recorded at three studios across two capitals. It’s the labor of nearly a hundred people: musicians, sound engineers, arrangers, technicians, administrators..."
I believe this is a unique phenomenon on the scene.
Indeed, the sound is impeccable—a crisp auditory image crafted by true professionals. Here, one must first applaud the arranger, but of course, the credit begins with the composer and musicians who brought this artistic project to life.
From the start of the album, the performers deliver exquisite soft rock with jazz and neoclassical influences. The composer leans towards a melodramatic flow, imbuing each track with intricate melodic craftsmanship. And it must be said that the distinct style showcased in "Pilate" has been refined here.
The luminous lyrical song "Like an Angel", enriched by vibrant piano and tender vocals (which deserve their own separate mention), and a free-flowing orchestral arrangement, opens the album. This is an intriguing “opener,” as if the creators aimed to captivate us from the very beginning with the expansiveness and emotional depth of their vision.
In "In the Darkness", the composer introduces an excellent 70s-style organ—pity there wasn’t more of it—plus a hint of synthetic effects. The track carries tension and emotion, created by orchestral themes as well as, naturally, the vocal parts. The track's compositional development and symphonic arrangement are of the highest caliber.
"Amadeus" is a tribute to the great genius of Salzburg. I sat and absorbed this track (seven minutes). It might have benefited from a bit more rock-oriented arrangements to modernize it—a curious suggestion for a song crafted in the 21st century, isn’t it?
The magnificent track "Pilate" stands as the album’s pinnacle; it’s no surprise it was released earlier as a single. Not a word more—it’s been reviewed.
By the midpoint of the album (in my humble opinion), it’s evident that the composer of Sound of Light could have leaned a bit more into rock elements—even in the arrangements.
The lyrical-dramatic tracks "Salvation" and "I Will Become the Sky" (with its intriguing features and an inspired piano solo at the song’s center) continue this steady, full-bodied journey of the full-length album.
The album concludes with "Between You and Me", an overt neoclassical piece where the vocalist once again reveals his capabilities.
And this deserves a few lines. Yes, apart from the band’s undeniable compositional talents, Sound of Light possesses something that imbues each track with inspiration.
Dmitry Lobov (composer, vocalist, songwriter) has a stage-rock vocal style and a clear understanding of his abilities. As I’ve noted before, his talent easily holds up on concert stages for live performances (no lip-syncing here). His artistry effortlessly navigates the lyrical and melodramatic conflicts of the album. In some places (though, sadly, not many), he employs a more robust vocal style, but he refrains from fully exploring these themes. I would have loved to hear more of this. However, as they say, that was the brief for this record.
Played on quality equipment at proper volume, this is pure musical brilliance. Truly.
Sound of Light, in addition to releasing this album on digital platforms, plans to release it on vinyl. Not surprising in the least.





