PARTICLES

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'.

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