VIDRADA

Obiymy Doschu has to be among the best-kept secrets of modern progressive rock - the band led by Volodymyr Agafonkin comes from Kyiv and has been active for some good two decades as of 2025. Nevertheless, this year sees the release of the band's third studio album, some good seven years in the making and following-up on the highly-rated 'Son' from 2017, which definitely indicates that the group's steady release rate comes alongside a strive for excellence in a way, with each new album coming after a meticulous process of refining and elaborating its sound until reaching that immersive art-rock condition that seems to define the band's music. And the aptly titled 'Vidrada' (Ukrainian for refuge, solace) is an album with a mission, a cause, embodying the voice of hopefulness amidst the war-torn reality of the group members' homeland. It is a powerful, emotionally-loaded and eclectic work that binds together the band's creative writing as well as their strong progressive rock influences, which come in the form of complex melodies and harmonic instrumentation.

The moody, cinematic prog of opening track 'Children' works excellently on many levels as the grief and solace of this song are communicated by the music in a heartfelt way that resembles what Marillion and Steven Wilson have been doing recently, for example. 'At Distance' impresses with its wavy, almost oceanic synth leads and beautiful acoustic guitars - a complex and emotional work with great vocal work all throughout; the touch of folksiness is quite enjoyable here as well. Then the sweeping violins of 'Hurricane' only seem to serve as a prelude to the pop-sided verses and gorgeous melodies of one of the best songs off the album, closing off the song with a wash of intense guitar sounds. So far the mood is sentimental, embracive and really cinematic - Obiymy Doschu have crafted an inspired collection of melodic art rock with a very eclectic nature that sits really well within the landscape of progressive rock of the current decade. The post-rock soundscapes of 'After the War' support the nostalgic tone of this shorter song that offers another powerful chorus, while 'Time' seems to be most suspenseful piece on the album with its melodramatic use of light strings and orchestral notes. 'Truths' is a more labyrinthian mini-suite informed by the moody and sprawling art-rock inclinations of this entire album, and the closing track 'Don't Give Up' is as intense as it is accessible. The influence of Bruce Soord and Steve Kitch from The Pineapple Thief, who mixed, mastered and produced this fantastic record, can be felt all over, from the warm, lush notes of the sound overall to the clarity of every instrument and vocal harmony. Just a brilliant and warm crossover rock album that is equally inspired by progressive rock, folk music, orchestral music and chamber pop, and a simply flawless release from Obiymy Doschu.

Social review comments

Review related links

• Send comments to A Crimson Mellotron
• Report this review (#3195679)
• Buy OBIYMY DOSCHU music online with PA partners
• Show all OBIYMY DOSCHU MP3/Stream
• Go to OBIYMY DOSCHU page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Vidrada page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for OBIYMY DOSCHU related discussions