They say you have to be there in order to experience this wide array of emotions. But now, we can at least listen to it. Coma’s timeless concert from last year’s Live Pol’and’Rock Festival is now out: both online and on CD.

With the first sounds of Zaprzepaszczone siły wielkiej armii świętych znaków, we know it’s going to be “epic”. After so many years (their debut album was published in 2004), Coma still sounds “huge”, just like massive can be, for instance, the sound of Oasis in the UK during their recent reunion. If it hadn’t been for their Polish heritage, Coma would have been one of the biggest bands of their generation. 

On the other hand, this is what makes them exquisite: the combination of the Polish language and Rogucki’s meaningful lyrics.

There is also one proof of Coma’s timelessness, which has now become the main theme of this review, and it is Piotr Rogucki’s vocals. He once again demonstrates how he can put everlasting love and eternal sadness in all of his songs. I’m uncertain if any of the Polish vocalists is currently able to mix those two separate feelings into a medley of one awe-inspiring sound.

“We want you to see and hear what rock and roll looked like when Coma used to play,” says Rogucki right after their opening songs. And, the band keeps its promise: in the next hour, we can listen to the so-called bangers, Coma’s most famous and poignant songs, from the terrific Pierwsze wyjście z mroku to one of their deep cuts, called Spadam. Interestingly, there are also some new tracks, like Meluzyna, which is from their latest record from 2019.

This concert, now out everywhere, is a testament to the band’s permanence in the Polish music scene. It doesn’t feel like anything will change in the next twenty years: in 2049, Coma will still be a rock band from the other world, coming from a strange dimension, where despairing poetry and uplifting emotions clash. 

And if you’re through with this piece and still want more, enjoy the concert right there: 

Photo: Live Pol’and’Rock Festival/Złoty Melon label

4/5 stars

Author: Jan Tracz