OSADA VIDA

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.

This 2008 release was the fourth album by Polish act Osada Vida, but is viewed by many as their second as the first two were locally released affairs that weren't heard internationally. What we have here is a prog act that often moves into much heavier and darker waters, but although it could be called 'prog metal' it is a long way from the class and diversity of bands such as Dream Theater or Threshold. There are times when the album is quite laboured and also the sound is often muddied and not nearly as clear as it should be. For a band that had been releasing music for eight years at this point, I was somewhat surprised as it sounded much more like the outpouring of a band that had yet to find their feet and were throwing lots of different things into the mix in the hope that it would somehow come to fruition.

There are definitely some interesting ideas and constructs, but they somehow fail to be pulled together in a way to make them appealing. The end result is the idea that this is a work in progress and that the band had yet to decide what they really wanted to do and how they were going to achieve it. www.osadavida.art.pl

I've been a big fan of Osada Vida's music ever since I first heard the innovative The Body Parts Party. With each and every album there is a change of tact and the band explore new angles. With their latest release the music is well crafted, beautifully played and dare I say catchy.......not heavy prog at all, but certainly you couldn't argue that the band aren't progressive! A special mention to the singer Marek Majewski who has an excellent voice which is essential to make this music work. I really like this album a lot and for innovation and progression I will give this the maximum 5 stars. Well done Osada Vida; one of the greatest bands on the current Polish Prog scene in my opinion; up there with Votum in the genre.

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.

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'.

— First review of this album —

Welcome dreams

Having been around since the turn of the century, Poland's Osada Vida broke through with their 2006 album "Three Seats Behind A Triangle". Since then, there have been two further much acclaimed releases from the band, who have seen their reputation grow steadily but assuredly over the period. Under the wing of Metal Mind Productions, the band performed in the Wyspianski Theater in Katowice, Poland on 10th November 2011, a venue which has seen a succession of superb prog gigs in recent years, many of which have been captured on DVD.

This set offers most of us our first opportunity to see the band performing live. The songs included are taken from the band's three most recent albums ("Three Seats Behind A Triangle", The Body Parts Party" and "Uninvited dreams"). The emphasis is very much of the second and third of those albums, with just one track from "Three seats...". Łukasz Lisiak of the band explains that while they felt that the material on that album was good, the band's performances since then have improved significantly. Consequently, the rendition of "Everyday Ltd." included here is somewhat different to that on the album, including a new improvised section.

We are skipping ahead though, as the album starts with a couple of tracks which will be less familiar, even to fans of the band. The brief "Introduction-Remember your name" was a bonus track on some editions of "The body parts party". It makes for a rousing starter, in the form of an up-beat Floydian style instrumental. "Hard-boiled wonderland" which follows has yet to appear on a studio album, perhaps because it does not appear to fit into any of the concepts which prevailed therein.

From there we are into more familiar territory, with the title track from "Uninvited dreams" being followed by a selection from "The body parts party" and a further three songs from "Uninvited dreams". The band faithfully capture the mood of each song while adapting it for the live environment. Instrumentally, this tends to infuse a new vitality although the vocals of Lukasz Lisiak can suffer through the lack of studio production and effects.

During the introduction to "Is that devil from Spain too", Lisiak reveals the band's fascination with the band Rush (the "R30" badge on his bass is also a clue!) who he implies inspired this instrumental. The aforementioned "Everyday Ltd." is not played in full, but benefits greatly from the improvised section, including some fine lead guitar from Bartek Bereska and keyboards from Rafal Paluszek.

Turning to the technical aspects of the DVD, the product benefits immensely from the experience the production company has built up while filming gigs at the venue. The audio is presented in both stereo and 5.1 surround formats, while the video sees the director exploiting the battery of camera angles available for selection. The main set runs for just under 100 minutes in all. The bonus features include band interviews (in Polish with English language subtitles) plus the usual biography, discography, etc. Also included is a short "Three hours to the show" featurette which can currently be seen on "Youtube".

The sleeve design includes aspects from the covers of the three albums captured by the gig, the result being a striking but tasteful image.

In all, another superb gig at the Wyspianski Theater captured on perfectly DVD.

Osada Vida seem to like their concept albums. Following on from 2008's The Body Part's Party, the Polish quartet return with Uninvited Dreams with the theme of nightmares running through it.

The first thing I noticed was the vast improvement in the sound over their last album and the band plays tighter too. They still seem to occupy similar territory to their fellow countrymen Riverside; prog metal instilled with atmospheric keyboard flourishes. Despite no shortage of powerful metal riffs the guitars don't take over completely and there's still plenty of space for keyboards, which while often forming a backdrop for the guitars take a front seat occasionally with a mixture of modern synth textures, piano and Hammond (?) organ.

Most of the songs are around the ten minute mark and the band takes the opportunity for plenty of instrumental breaks which are in the main inventive and maintain the listener's interest. Childmare (A Goodnight Story) contains an excellent and lengthy guitar solo from Bartek Bereska showing what a good player he really is. Osada Vida's weakest area is the vocal work of bassist Lukasz Lisiak which can't be described as anything more than adequate. They are helped however by the inclusion of some female backing vocals from Natalia Krakowiak who adds another dimension to Lisiak's slightly monotone delivery.

Apart from the title track which opens the album, I did find it took a few listens for most of the material to sink in, thinking it a little ordinary at first. It's worth sticking with as after a few plays it starts to reveal its secrets. No such problems with Uninvited Dreams though, with its contagious hook on the chorus.

Overall while not in the same league as their countrymen Riverside, Osada Vida have made an album that is a step up from their last one, which although I found it enjoyable enough hasn't been off the shelf much once the dust settled and it was out of my recent purchases area. I suspect Uninvited Dreams will have longer lasting appeal. 3 ½ stars.

This is one of those sly suckers that suddenly bloom, bought on a whim and turning into something unexpected. Not easily pigeon-holed , the harsher style certainly cavorts towards musical terrain developed by Porcupine Tree, Riverside or even French band Nemo, a delightfully electric expanse with bold drumming and driving rhythms , flirting with the edges of metal at times, but supremely melodic . But one needs to pump up the volume and listen to this "LOUD"! This Polish combo prefer chasing a darker palette than their compatriots Satellite or Believe, a frisky guitar keeps things perpetually on a razor's edge, with blustery leads that veer near Nirvana (play on words, there!), as exemplified on the 2 part epic extravaganza "Pictures from Inside", a symphonic feast laden with unexpected bursts and explosive shifts in mood and delivery. The only slight weak point is the thin vocals but its small potatoes, as the overall creativity is bold and inspired. The oily synths slip wildly and the phosphorescent guitar rages mercilessly in a festival of progressive bliss. The tension gets ratcheted up quite a bit with "Decision", a magical piece of groove prog that flirts with colossal themes and blending them with a gritty veneer, almost jazz-rock one second, organ ramblings aside and pounding heavy prog the next! Veeeeery interesting ! What's next? Another 2 part epic entitled "Devotion" that gets things rocking despite the watery vocals, a visceral bobsleigh ride with guitar-centric focus that glides into a gentle spacey groove near Floydian territory , a fluid series of bluesy leads scorching the airwaves with magnificence , billowing sways of synths and exhilarating team crescendos. The second part gets very explorative with an elegant piano-led adventure, almost classical in scope and phrasing, a superb contrast to the previous and immediately upcoming storms and tempests. The thrashing convulses eloquently thanks to a persistent bass line, the course veering expectantly as a Spanish acoustic guitar paints a stunning canvas out of the blue and the synthesized wisps adding even more width to the audio pleasure. "Tension Blossoms" is exactly that, a bruisy-woozy piece of space ?infused hard boogie that has a distinct edge and swerves into experimental subtleties, daring even a jazzy mid-section and a huge guitar solo that soars , burning up the skies as it aims for the stars courtesy of Bartek Bereska (devastating style , to say the least) , a name wise to remember. "Everyday" has the nimble Lukas Lisak bass way up front, propelling the mood with hints of Landberk , very dark and ominous and certainly the harder face of this stunning band. The occasional mellotron blasts are most welcome, only serving to elevate the anxiety. The passion gets hot and heavy as this scorcher searches out the finish line, relentless in its deviant pursuit, again exciting the prog palate with unexpected spices, flavors and aromas. A carnival piano sortie seals the deal, Bravo! Can it continue? Yup, as the aptly coined "Boiling Point " tosses one into a dense sauna of sound and fury, grace and rage , a sudden jazzy guitar pickin' gem seizing the day and spitting out on hell of a solo. This where I start really detecting a golden-era Hillage vibe , as well as the super Hammond incursions from Rafal Poluszek and followed by a more conventional lead guitar exercise, this is another clear winner. "Bitterly Disappointed" one is not with this most PTree-ish track here, an arch- typical psychedelic track with teeth and yet so much apathy from the desolate vocals, the guitar paves a torrential highway with smartly paced riffs and deft leads, very Pink again with moogy synth flutters and moody axe arpeggios, the crunching solo that is a disc highlight, a tremendous piece of prog! The 8 minute + of "The Rebirth of Passion" is where things get more accessible, a piano-led sympho-prog that recalls the classics and a middle section that is now in reverse raw mode, clever little twist on the formula, spacy one second, bouncy the next , finished off by some masterful fret boards rampages. Two last mainly instrumental pieces take over the flow and the lads get to show off more of their considerable chops, the relaxed elegance of " In Thru mental"( a lisp?) is a fascinating ride into brilliant music , perhaps my favorite cut among so many. The 10 minute "?and Don't Shut the Door?" is a clear cut homage to Gong (you-era), from the obvious rolling bass groove , the frilly guitar forays and scattering synths , all pushed along by the steadiest beat, with even the wild vocals actually impressing . Stellar stuff! Nice little bit of well-earned philosophy on the back booklet, extolling the virtues of the story. Yeah, another one of those "human condition" subjects we all adore since time immemorial. A tremendous surprise that only recently caught my attention, my radar needs a safety check, too many incoming prog missiles that I am missing ! Amazing recording from Poland, right again sink ! 5 triumphant triumvirates

You're cordially invited to experience the Uninvited Dreams of Osada Vida.

This talented quartet releases their sixth album. I've started following them, quite by chance, starting at their third album, Three Seats Behind A Triangle and have been hooked since (I reviewed their two previous albums and interviewed the band as well in 2009). I feel that with each album they progressed with their sound and production. But the familiar sound from Three Seats is still here, that somewhat murky signature, spell-binding spirit it sill present and permeates through every song.

The drummer, Adam Podzimski,is again the writer of the lyrics, about dreams that one wishes he'd forget as soon as he wakes up, undesired dreams that come though they are unwanted.

A great addition here is the female vocals by Natalia Krakowiak, which add a compelling layer to their sound and counteract Lukasz's vocals, which I stated in my previous reviews were a soft spot for the band. Though, by now, I'm comfortable with them, and they fit well with the softer moments, there are places where I wish a cruder and fuller voice would be added to complement the more powerful sections.

The sound is again, rich, heavy, dense and thick. The keyboards are given a major role, as can be particularly heard in the title track where it leads the way, and in other songs where it creates eerie and alluring strokes and brushes of sounds that back up the melody and add to it. But the role of the guitar is not diminished as one can hear in the sharp sounding guitar throughout the album and also on the lead role and solo in it has on Is That Devil From Spain Too?.

Listen also to the competent drumming in both the fast and aggressive parts as well as in the mellow and slower paced segments. Which brings me to the next point: Variety and dynamics are characteristics of Osada Vida's sound here as well. They can be heavy and powerful as they can be dreamy and soft. And this variety comes to play in the rather long songs on this album: four songs over 10 minutes, and two others over 8 minutes. They make excellent use of each minute on these songs, developing the ideas they present, building tension, introduce alternate directions and build up on contrasting sounds, rhythms and moods.

We are also introduced to two connected instrumental pieces, one which serves as the intro for the other: the first piece has an acoustic guitar with ominous sounding chords and a Spanish flavour. The second has the electric guitar take over, and having a "fiesta" of its own for more than 9 minutes. It becomes quite heavy at some places, metal-ish even (I was reminded a bit of Riverside's more aggressive songs at one point). But proper balance is given when the keyboards are "allowed" to join in and where the guitar takes a softer approach, somewhat jazzy in style even. They create here their most varied composition with several sections that contrast each other with their intensity levels, pace and in approach as well. These two pieces present a somewhat different side of Osada Vida that I'd like to hear more of.

There is quite a lot to absorb here, over an hour of music, and add to that 3 bonus tracks (one is an edit of the title track), you're in for a treat. I find this to be their most accomplished and varied album to date, with the most captivating tunes they've created, absolutely marvelous.

Nightmares you have to have

Coming less than a year after the fine "The body parts party", "Uninvited dreams" finds Poland's Osada Vida taking further significant strides forward in their chosen field. While broadly classified by this site as a prog metal band, do not be misled into thinking the band are just another riff obsessed heavy rock outfit. There is a refinement and quality here which transcends a number of genres, resulting in an album of great diversity but also admirable consistency.

The unchanged line up collaborate in writing all the tracks together with the exception of the brief "Is this devil from Spain", which is credited to guitarist Bartek Bereska alone. Engineer and producer Marcin Chlebowski focuses on bringing out the full might of the band's sound, with vast keyboard layers and front and centre lead guitar being the order of the day. On "My nightmare is scared of me" for example, the strength of the musicianship is emphasised superbly in a piece which thrives on perfectly focused power.

Prior to that, the opening title track is possibly the band's best work to date. This amalgam of influences from ELP, PFM, Yes, Genesis and numerous other bands, especially those with symphonic leanings, results in arguably the band's most accessible number yet. "Childmare" has definite Genesis leanings, the lengthy keyboards backed guitar workout being of the type Banks and Hackett would have been proud of. My sole criticism here is that the track fades, rather than reaching its deserved climax.

Every track is developed fully, the attention to detail given to the arrangements being obvious throughout. While the album's concept is dark and heavy (essentially bad dreams and their meanings), the music itself is far from depressive. There is an uplifting spirit here with pretty much all the songs being up-tempo.

For me, "Uninvited dreams" represents Osada Vida's best work to date. There is a confidence and professionalism here which sees the band prepared to make the music they want to make. Highly recommended.

By the way, good to see a name check for Progarchives in the album credits!