OSADA VIDA: Variomatic (PROGRESSIVE ROCK): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

Since its inception in 1997, progressive rock/metal band Osada Vida has come a long way. A career is always made up of ups and downs and one can imagine that the band made one of the hardest choices in its history by making the decision to part ways with its singer some time ago. Mark Majewski is gone and Marcel Lisiak, brother of the bassist Lukasz Lisiak, is the third singer in the history of the Polish band.

It is in this transitional context that "Variomatic", the quintet's sixth album, was born. The title refers directly to the varied character of the ten songs that make up the album. Indeed, on this new opus, eclecticism is the key word. Osada Vida's music is sometimes energetic and catchy, sometimes calmer and more atmospheric, mixing rock and progressive metal of course, and inviting here and there jazz, funk or electro on their tracks.

The musicians play on contrasts and indulge in a mix of genres, creating tracks with hybrid atmospheres. The excellent 'Eager' is a perfect example of this with its metal prog debut, its funky verses and its high refrains, mixing different styles with success. Similar in its will to mix atmospheres, 'Nocturnal' closes the album by hardening the tone on the verses and by offering an airy and light chorus, a recipe that Osada Vida has decidedly the secret of. We won't forget either 'In Circles' and 'Good Night Return' which could have been one and the same track as they are complementary. The first is reminiscent of Snow Patrol in a punchier register, and instantly appeals to the listener, while the second is a much more delicate instrumental jewel, almost shoegaze. We'll also note the excellent jazzy interlude, 'The Crossing', all restrained and delicate with a five-star saxophone that would have deserved to be integrated into another song. A new track that proves once again that Osada Vida is where you don't expect him.

And with tracks like 'Fire Up', the first single from the album, the Poles show that they can also offer short, punchy songs. With a riff that is strangely reminiscent of AC/DC's 'Thunderstruck', the title goes straight to the point with an immediate chorus and a melody playing a central role as always. And if you still need to prove the versatility of this band, you can do so with 'Missing', the first track. Starting out in an electro atmosphere, the track later evolves towards an explosive progressive metal, before giving way to a Spanish break with a flamenco guitar background. The long instrumental finale of the track embodies one of the real highlights of the album and ends on an epic note with a light, refined, grandiose piano/saxophone duo...

So it's a flawless achievement for Osada Vida who release with "Variomatic" a complete and perfectly mastered album, navigating at the crossroads of styles, with remarkable success. - Official website

OSADA VIDA

VARIOMATIC

AUTRE LABEL

PROGRESSIVE ROCK