QUIA NESCIUNT QUID FACIUNT

New album of Roz Vitalis is finally done and available for listening on the Internet. And I can say, that I never waited for a new record with similar impatience. That's why I've already listened to it a lot and now ready to share my modest opinion.

By content.

On the album I found three super hits (Bait of Success, Walking and Wides) and one true masterpiece (Premonition). Well, what can I say? Beautiful original music with melodies, that will take your breath away and give you goosebumps. In addition, all this fully corresponds to my taste preferences, as well as ideas about progressive, rock and music in general.

Bait of success - the band usually describes this track as a dancing one. The only dancing one in its history) The music is pretty dynamic indeed, but my attention is always attracted to the melody line on the second part of the composition, which is performed by guitar. So, this guitar solo sounds very impressive on the album, but I had a chance to listen to it live and every time it was just fantastic!

Walking - is another super hit of the album. It sounds very delicate and the guitar line is outstanding too here. And to be honest, I'm not sure if it's rock or progressive rock. It's just music with a wide meaning of this word, which I just admire.

Wides - another super hit of the album. For me it's a composition with a very tender breath-taking melody idea. I'm not sure the arrangement was 100% unmistakable, but I'm sure you must really enjoy the main melody line performed by flute.

And finally about Premonition, which is to my mind, the real masterpiece. This composition is the most detailed one of the band, every time making a magical impression on me. And every time I would like it to be much longer, because this is the case, when you don't want the music to end. In general, it's a real masterpiece, comparable for me with the best progressive rock masterpieces of all time. If you like, it's a beauty in the flesh.

Also on the album there is the composition Daybreaking, which strong sides I totally recognize, however, I just like it a little less, than the things I've told above. And apart from comparisons, this composition is indeed an outstanding one and I really like it!

The composition The Man Whose Wings Were Cut Off, was first recorded in covid period as a studio experiment with exotic string instruments and electronic bass and drums. Here it was re-recorded with full live sound and a new final part. All changes in total made composition more solid, but didn't transform it. Unfortunately, I can say the band couldn't squeeze maximum out of this very perspective composition. That's why, in spite of changes, it still leaves an effect of understatement on me.

Two short piano passages (Fountain and Nocturne) left a completely neutral impression. I treat them as space fillers (which is normal practice) and respites between other powerful tracks.

But the compositions Se Camminiamo Nella Luce and Beautifulness did not make much impression on me.

And despite this, the content of the album is a complete delight. True big album with very original material. Definitely the album of the year for me. But that's about the content.

By form.

Here I must say several fairly critical words, because the album is not unmistakable by form. To be honest, I don't like how it was recorded.

First of all, It feels like it was recorded in saving mode on everything, including the sound. It sounds like it was recorded at home, but not in a professional studio. And for me it's a small disaster, considering the content, which is simply amazing.

Further. I really like the previous album Hidden Man of the Heart. And I consider the composition Passing Over as one of the main in the group's work. And it's because, being presented in different forms and scattered throughout the album, it unites it into a solid musical work. Unfortunately, in comparison with a previous album, the new one (as an album) looks like a set of new songs, nothing more.

And the last point: there is a feeling, that the band did not have a qualified sound engineer during the recording. Who could look at the record, arrangement or individual parts with a fresh eye. In some places the parts are unnecessary, in others something could have been added, in others it was played sloppily, in others it was too dry, and besides everything, the sound is not very good, etc.

But in spite of all of this I put 5 stars to this album. I know that everything is important: the sound, the parts, etc. But as for me, the music itself is much more important. So I vote for the content, which is just amazing for me.