PARTICLES

The elements of a fine album

Polish band Osada Vida have seen their reputation grow steadily through the release of some of the finest prog albums of recent years. Since the appearance of the excellent 2009 album 'Uninvited dreams', Marek Majewski has joined the band as lead vocalist, transforming the line up from a quartet to a quintet. Majewski also provides most of the lyrics, the band collectively being credited with writing all the music.

The album sees a natural evolution in the band's approach, rather than wholesale changes. The cover art offers an immediate indication of this, being lighter and simpler than previous albums. The concept album approach is set aside in favour of presenting nine strong, individual pieces each intended to stand alone as a complete piece. We also have a rare cover version , of which more later.

The opening track, 'Hard-Boiled Wonderland' will be familiar to those who investigated the band's first DVD last year, as it was the only unreleased song included in that gig. The track blends influences such as Yes and King Crimson in an off-beat but rhythmic heavy guitar driven piece. While the pounding riffs are deliciously heavy, the feel is lighter than previous albums. 'Stronger' is the first of the tracks to fully reveal the band's stated ambition for this album of presenting something more accessible while retaining the musical integrity that has served them so well to date. The highlight of the song is some fine guitar and keyboards interplay between Rafał Paluszek and Bartek Bereska.

'Fear' retains the pulsating enthusiasm of its predecessors, the infectious choruses leading to the repeated climactic refrain of the song's title. 'Those days' offer something of a breather; while hardly a ballad, the songs is lyrically reflective and musically a bit softer. The track closes with a fine lead guitar solo. The lyrics of 'Shut' (and 'Hard boiled Wonderland') are written by Bereska, with Sivy of the Polish metal band Tuff Enuff providing growled type vocals and a dynamic lead guitar solo. The growled verses alternate with melodic choruses in a song that is something of a departure for the band from their prog foundations.

The contrast between 'Shut' and the following 'David's Wasp' is huge, the latter being a soft, drifting instrumental featuring some of Bartek Bereska finest soloing. 'Different worlds' maintains the more direct approach, while 'Until you're gone' is an out and out rock ballad with an anthemic chorus. The album closes with 'Mighty world', a song that returns us to the heavier frantic riffs of the opener, the positive vibes of the chorus making for a suitable ending.

One bonus track is added to the album in the form of a cover of Metallica's 'Master of puppets'. The song is actually more of an interpretation with a piano based jazz rhythm underlying the light vocals.

Overall, an album that represents quite a shift for Osada Vida. While excellent musicianship and fine production may be taken as read, the generally more accessible nature of the songs should appeal to a wider fan base while continuing to satisfy those who have followed the band thus far.

With thanks to Metal mind Productions for the pre-release review copy of the album, which is due for release on March 25th in Europe and April 9th in the USA. By the way, the CD booklet includes a name-check for the band's 'friends at Progarchives.com'.

Polish band OSADA VIDA has been around in one shape or another since the late 90's, and since they released their first material in 2000 they have steadily developed their sound, style and popularity. "Particles" is their most recent studio effort, and was released by Polish label Metal Mind in the early spring of 2013.

"Particles" is a CD that comes across as a playful and innovative at the same time, as it appears to be reaching out to cover a broader audience segment, pleasing moods and melodies combined with unusual instrument movements in fairly intricate compositions. An intriguing and accomplished production by a band that now appears to have constructed a strong musical identity, with fans of the more adventurous neo-progressive music as a likely core audience within the realms of progressive rock.

I haven't heard 2011's 'Uninvited Dreams', although I know that it has had some very strong reviews, so all I had to go on before playing this album was the 2008 'The Body Parts Party' which I wasn't exactly a huge fan of. So when I put this on and "Hard-Boiled Wonderland" literally blasted out of the speakers before moving into a driven neo-prog number I was somewhat taken aback. To say that the band has moved on in the last five years is quite an understatement. Whereas previously there was confusion and lack of clarity, now we have a band that is full of confidence and know exactly where the music is going to take them. It is polished, heavy without being too metallic, and there is even a sense of humour in the some of interplay and nuances. Great vocals with a real feeling for accessibility and immediacy makes this album an absolute delight from start to finish. Now a confirmed five-piece, this is yet another band that is flying the flag to show just how much great music is coming out of Poland.

Bartek Bereska's guitar sound is superb, and his control and fluidity of solos really lifts Osada Vida to new heights. As much as I felt disappointed by the last album of theirs that I heard, this time I am excited and looking forward to the future. I also realise that I am going to have to go back and get 'Uninivited Dreams' after all as if that is in the same vein as this then I am in for a real treat. If you want commercial Dream Theater with some great It Bites hooks then this is for you. Visit their webiste at www.osadavida.art.pl to find out more.

Over the last few years, Osada Vida has earned a reputation as one of the most exciting progressive metal exports from Poland, and although I'm only discovering them with 2013's Particles, it's not hard to understand why this band is receiving praise from prog listeners worldwide. Released on Metal Mind Productions, Particles is a strong observation that sounds fresh, modern, and inspired; if I'm being honest, it's tough to imagine any fan of melodic progressive music not enjoying the hell out of what Osada Vida has to offer.

From what I understand, Particles is the band's first album as a quintet rather than a quartet, as vocalist Marek Majewski has been added to the lineup. Vocal duties were previously handled by bassist Lukasz Lisiak, and although I'm (as of yet) unfamiliar with his singing abilities, Majewski's voice is undoubtedly an asset to Osada Vida's music. Stylistically, the album rests somewhere between classic progressive rock and progressive metal (in the Dream Theater school), but Osada Vida isn't afraid to also incorporate a few jazz fusion jams and alternative rock tendencies into their sound. Particles is also a pretty catchy album in spite of its complexity, and not unlike the classic efforts from Spock's Beard or Kansas, the strongly memorable choruses don't detract from the sophisticated compositions.

Lots of great tracks like "Hard Boiled Wonderland", "Those Days", and "Mighty World" ensure that I will certainly be returning to Particles again in the future, and it also means that this album gets a strong recommendation from my direction. With a crisp production, dazzling musicianship, and memorable songwriting, Particles is just a damn good album across the board and a great listen for fans of heavy-edged modern prog. Excellent!

As I mentioned many Times in my previous reviews, every time I get a new album from a band that comes from Poland, it's something interesting, at least. The country is burning up with music all around. Osada Vida is a band that comes from Wrocław city and was formed way back in the late 90's. Many things has changed within the band since then and Particles (2013) is their 6th studio album (not counting their 2002's EP). Their actual line up is compressed of: Marek Majewski (vocals), Łukasz Lisiak (bass), Rafał Paluszek (keyboards), Bartek Bereska (guitars) and Adam Podzimski (drums).

Before going into their music I must take a moment and comment about the package that Particles (2013) has. A high quality digipack with a great booklet and graphics. As usual, like basically every CD released by Metal Mind Productions, their care with the artwork is flawless.

As soon as Particles (2013) starts Heavy Prog pours down from the speakers with 'Hard- Boiled Wonderland'. Heavy and clever guitars and a very good riff behind it. The moment Marek Majewski starts to sing the band enters a softer path, to match his voice. They remind me a bit of the German band RPWL here. 'Stronger' is a riff driven song. Łukasz Lisiak bass shines throughout it, a great bass sound. Bartek Bereska guitars have a Blues feeling, which fits the song. Particles (2013) has a modern approach when it comes to the instruments sounds and production. 'Fear' shows us this fact clearly.

The follow up 'Those Days' is a slow tempo song with great vocals (especially on the chorus) and mainly led by Rafał Paluszek's keyboards. 'Shut' almost fools the listener with its absolutely electronic beginning. But soon the guitars become heavy and the vocals (by Sivy)' guttural. Quite a change of pace. Besides being heavy and solid (thanks to Adam Podzinmski drums), Rafał's keyboards give the track some 'softness'.

Having the previous track so heavy it's weird when the instrumental 'David's Wasp' begins only with keyboards. But Łukasz's bass full of effects 'saves the day'. Bartek's guitars are right on the spot too. It's an interesting track, but a bit out of the context of Particles (2013). The next track 'Different Worlds' has a more complex tempo signature and this makes the song one of the most interesting on the album. In 'Until You're Gone' the 'I miss you' kind of lyrics almost ruin the song, but they redeem themselves on the chorus, which is a very good one.

Final track 'Mighty World' is heavy with a fast guitar riff and a mid tempo beat. It reminded me a bit what the English band Threshold does. A good track. As a bonus we have a completely modified and amazing version of Metallica's 'Master Of Puppets' song. This comes to show a bit of the band's influences. It's a great Jazz/Prog version, almost unbelievable.

Osada Vida shows in Particles (2013) why Poland grows stronger with every new album release we get from the country. Particles (2013) is a solid album , full of great moments. This is far enough to hold your attention for years to come, so why not give it a try? Recommended!

(Originally posted on progshine.net)