Disperse

Disperse is a Polish neo-prog group from Przeworsk, formed in 2007. The line-up centres on Marcin Kicyk, Jakub Żytecki and Rafał Biernacki, with Szymon Balicki, Przemek Nycz and others part of the band’s early development and later membership. The group is active from 2007 and is associated with Season of Mist. Its music sits within djent, progressive metal and progressive rock, with a strong progressive rock and neo-prog identity.

Formation and early development

The band forms in December 2007, when Kicyk, Żytecki and Biernacki meet to start Disperse. Their early writing draws on art rock, fusion, metal and jazz, with the aim of moving away from standard song patterns. During the first half-year they write four songs, and in March Szymon Balicki joins on drums. He leaves by the end of June and is replaced by Konrad Biczak, before Przemek Nycz later becomes the drummer in January.

Recordings and releases

In early July, Disperse records its debut demo, Promo 2008, at SPAART Studio in Boguchwała, with mix and mastering by Jacek Młodochowski. The band then records its first LP, Journey Through the Hidden Gardens, at Progresja Studio. That album is recorded by Paweł “Janos” Granowski, mixed by Szymon Czech at Studio X and mastered by Grzegorz Piwkowski. Urszula Wójcik of Spiral contributes vocals to two tracks.

Musical influences and live work

Disperse describes its writing as being informed by meditation, sounds of nature and artists including Cynic, Toto, Portal, Aeon Spoke, Planet X, Devin Townsend and Allan Holdsworth. The band also performs alongside Spiral and plays nine support shows on Riverside’s ADHD Tour, which the group treats as a significant early milestone.