Lunatic Soul – Transition II: When a Forest Decides to Breathe Progressive Rock

There are albums you simply listen to.

And then there are releases that feel as though you’ve wandered deep into an ancient forest, only to discover that this is where the most beautiful music has quietly been hiding all along.

With “Transition II”, Lunatic Soul – the acclaimed solo project of Polish visionary Mariusz Duda – delivers anything but an ordinary reissue. Instead, it serves as a musical bridge between two worlds. Between past and future. Between darkness and light. Or, to put it in suitably British terms: rather like someone politely switching on the lights in the middle of a dense fog… and then apologising for the inconvenience.

Long-time fans will already know the title track. Originally released in 2020 as an exclusive bonus on the limited CD edition of Through Shaded Woods, “Transition II” stretched to almost 28 minutes — hypnotic, atmospheric and, unfortunately, just a little too ambitious for a single side of vinyl.

A dilemma that has probably haunted progressive rock musicians for generations. The music wanted to be epic. The record, however, had other ideas.

A beloved epic finds new life

For this special 2026 release, Mariusz Duda has carefully reshaped the composition into a concise 23-minute suite. Just enough to fit perfectly onto one side of an LP without sacrificing an ounce of the hypnotic beauty that made the piece such a fan favourite.

Quite the opposite.

The new version feels more focused, more fluid and perhaps even more immersive than before. Rather than sounding shortened, it feels like the composition has naturally evolved into its definitive form.

The release is further complemented by newly remixed versions of two pieces from the Through Shaded Woods sessions:

Hylophobia (2026 Remix)
Vyraj (2026 Remix)

Both benefit noticeably from the fresh production and blend seamlessly into the album’s beautifully flowing atmosphere.

The real gift

As if that alone weren’t enough to tempt both collectors and devoted fans, Mariusz Duda has also included something entirely new.

“Realm of the Weeping Willows” began life during the original Through Shaded Woods recording sessions but remained unfinished for years before finally reaching completion in early 2026.

And this is where the true magic of the release begins.

The new composition never feels like an afterthought or an outtake rescued from a forgotten drawer. Instead, it opens the album with remarkable elegance, gently setting the tone for what lies ahead: less darkness, more hope.

The beginning of a new chapter

Mariusz Duda himself describes Transition II as a turning point.

With the completion of the eight-album “The Circle of Life and Death” cycle, Lunatic Soul now enters a new creative phase. Where previous releases often explored grief, solitude and shadow, future works promise to embrace more light, warmth and optimism.

Which explains perfectly why this release arrives now.

It represents the bridge between two artistic chapters.

Few album titles could have been more appropriate.

Between folk, atmosphere and vast sonic landscapes

Musically, Transition II exists well beyond conventional song structures.

Instead, it unfolds through expansive soundscapes, acoustic textures, subtle electronics and that wonderfully difficult-to-describe atmosphere for which Lunatic Soul has become so highly regarded.

There are no flashy guitar solos demanding attention here. No dramatic hooks competing for the spotlight. The music simply breathes. It unfolds patiently, organically and entirely at its own pace.

And that is precisely where its greatest strength lies.

If musical comparisons are unavoidable, listeners may find themselves somewhere between the early works of Mike Oldfield, the mystical world of Dead Can Dance and the gentle melancholy of Nordic folk traditions.

Or, perhaps less technically:

It sounds rather like the forest itself finally decided to record a progressive rock album.

An album arriving exactly when it should

“This is an album that arrives at exactly the right moment.”
— Mariusz Duda

And indeed, Transition II feels exactly like that.

Not like a hastily assembled archival release. Not like another deluxe edition designed merely to occupy valuable shelf space. Instead, it feels like a carefully considered closing chapter to one remarkable journey — and the opening page of another.