VIZA: The Unorthodox Revival: Volume I & Ii (INDEPENDANT ROCK,Alternative Metal): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

4 years have already passed since the release of the very good "Aria", which had convinced us, and here is that Viza comes back again to officialize the release of a double EP that the fans already know well since the group published on its networks a new track every 1st of each month for one year now. The most impatient could then stay informed about the band's news and see the musical direction that was taking place live, the others waited patiently to swallow the 12 tracks in one go and better understand the extent of the transformation.

First of all, what was our (pleasant) surprise to hear again the soft and warm sound of the duduk that we hadn't heard since the excellent "Made in Chernobyl". Yes, Jivan Gasparyan Jr. took some time to contribute to the ambitious new project of the band, which is to take the listener on a timeless journey, under the name "The Unothodox Revival", which was originally made to offer 6 tracks. But the reaction of the public was such that it didn't take much more to continue in this way, thus declining the work in 2 inseparable volumes.

As if to reassure the fans, it is by a generous 'Viktorious' that the first part of the album begins. Mid-tempo title with a catchy melody, which is reminiscent of the atmosphere of a "Carnivalia", on which K'noup has fun between whispering and voice more muffled, it takes its full extent when the rhythm accelerates and K'noup screams before contrasting again with his tone with a vibrato recognizable among a thousand.

The "Volume I" is remarkable for its ease of access thanks to the catchy melodies sometimes from Antranig Kzirian's oud, sometimes from Shant Bismejian's guitar, be it on oriental progressions or aggressive rock riffs, notably on a worked 'Cash Karma' and a 'Velvet Shade' as dancing as heavy where the use of the trio oud, duduk, darbuka is made there in perfect balance with the saturated instruments. This volume ends with a ballad of a totally new approach for the combo, letting TheOudPlayer take the microphone for the first time for a totally convincing result.

The "Volume II" takes us further in the journey, from a 'Pinches' clearly influenced by Armenian rhythms and melodies (remember that the band is composed of 5/6 American Armenians) for a new daring mix, to a more complex 'Diabolic Angel' or 'Dancing Twig' with many melodies offering new progressions. The band leaves its comfort zone for our greatest pleasure, affirming at the same time its deep anchorage in the two universes and demonstrating its capacity to renew itself. On 'Tom Waits For Her', K'noup takes the opportunity to pay tribute to one of its greatest influences (with Mike Patton): Tom Waits. Finding his hoarse voice, we find the identity of Neurobox, the singer's first band. The album ends on an absolutely remarkable 'Pathway' with a new mix of traditional music with a rhythmic signature leading to a rock refrain.

This double EP has everything to (re)discover the great capacities that the band has in arranging and mixing elements borrowed from traditional Armenian music and modern US rock for a unique mix. Viza took advantage of these four years to renew itself and offer here something really new that can only conquer new ears as well as long time fans. - Official website

VIZA

THE UNORTHODOX REVIVAL: VOLUME I & II

AUTOPRODUCTION

INDEPENDANT ROCK