THE BODY PARTS PARTY

For their fourth studio album Polish Prog Metal band Osada Vida have made a concept album with the unusual theme of body parts. Each track is named after a part of the body with the exception of the 2 bonus tracks if you happen to own the digi-pak version.

Prog metal they may be but there is much more to Osada Vida's sound than the average prog metal band. Sure there's typical metal style riffing but it is used sparingly and much use is made of keyboards, the band to my ears occupying a similar space to fellow Poles Riverside with a moody and atmospheric sound. The song structures are interesting and quite complex at times, with many changes and the band play well enough. The production is not bad either though marred by a poor snare drum sound which grates a little at times.

Body - The Body Parts Party kicks of proceedings with a powerful riffy intro including a hammond organ (a bit louder please), though overall the keyboards have a more modern sound. The vocals of Lukasz Lisiak are adequate though he doesn't have a great range. Overall a strong opener, with many changes and some interesting chord structures going on.

Liver - Mr Liver's Letter to You (a strange title!) kicks off in similar fashion to Body with powerful metallic riffing before settling into the more restrained verse. It's one of the longest tracks at almost 9 minutes but remains interesting due to some enjoyable instrumental interplay. For me this is where Osada Vida's main strengths lie.

Brain - Mind on Cloud Nine is more restrained with some atmospheric keyboard playing; a nice guitar solo too but ultimately one of less satisfying tracks on the album.

Tongue - A White Lie gets things back on track with another heavy riffing intro which runs into a keyboard dominated verse. Once again time and tempo changes abound with some more inventive chord structures on this almost 8 minute track.

Spine - In Full Swing is an instrumental. Ironically having previously stated that the instrumental interplay is Osada Vida's main strength this track is not one of the best here. Having said that, it's far from bad and has a good guitar solo from Bartek Bereska.

The electric piano intro to Heart - Back and Forth leads us into another of the more restrained tracks, keyboards taking a front seat on this atmospheric piece.

Muscle - Strong But Powerless combines metallic riffing with in places a funky vibe. Some interesting instrumental work though is marred by some lack lustre vocals lacking any semblance of melody.

Bone - My Name is Bone The Single Bone at 11 minutes is the longest track. A piano and acoustic guitar introduction give way to further still restrained and melodic instrumental work very tastefully played. The initial vocal section lacks any real interest but it does lead into more enjoyable instrumental work with a jazzy vibe for a short while. From here the track builds courtesy of some good guitar work from Bereska. A lull for some melodic piano and acoustic guitar leads the band fully back in for a climatic close.

If you want to buy this album it's worth seeking out the digi-pak version for the bonus tracks, especially the 11 minute Remember Your Name which maintains the quality set by the rest of the albums, not coming across as a throwaway track as bonuses often do.

A very good album then from Osada Vida with some strong instrumental work in particular and a band to keep an eye on for the future. 3 ½ stars.