PEACE LIVE

The first vibe that I receive when the opening track of this new live album by ROZ VITALIS begins to unfold combines the antique feel of a medieval march with the modern arrangement and execution more likely associated with contemporary avant-prog, conforming a fusion not dissimilar (in concept, not in style) to certain instrumental passages by Gentle Giant, and the ominous reverberance of the whole affair sounds pretty convincing as a premonition of something terrible on the verge to happen.

Track 2, Annihilator of Moral Hazard, seems to bring a lighter humor to the proceedings, but that illusion is rapidly wiped out by more menacing instrumental improvisation with the keyboards occupying the central spot. And they keep going in track 3, Longsuffering, including great mellow passages of harpsichord.

Tracks 4 and 5 are, finally, some more breezy pieces, with melodic (Kayak-like, perhaps) electric piano mounting the main riff and motiv in the first one, and enchanting transverse flute bringing a pastoral air in the second. In track 6, Sorrow and Hope, a church-like organ brings a solemn (yet positive) mood to fruition, continued by piano and good electric guitar licks on a slightly jazzy rhythm section.

The closing track is the occasion for the electric guitarist to boast his style in a couple of great solos, all that wrapped up in nice renditions of Peace, the King Crimson brief theme.

There are plenty of excellent reasons to enjoy here, me thinks.