LIVE IN KIRISHI

There are bands who can pull things off brilliantly in the studio setting yet cannot pull off a brilliant live performance of their music. Likewise there are bands that are renowned for unleashing stunningly brilliant live events yet somehow fall short on their musical visions on the studio side of the equation. No such dilemmas for St Petersburg symphonic avant-proggers ROZ VITALIS who prove without a doubt on their latest LIVE IN KIRISHI that they more than have the chops to put on one helluva musical spectacle. This short but sweet barely over 30 minute long musical gem includes what the band deems the most "essential" tracks from the "Lavoro D'Amore" studio album with a couple of extra tracks which include "Blurred" which serves as a sneak peak for the next studio album as well one another bonus goodie tagged onto the end appropriately called "Ending."

Not being content to merely perform these tracks as heard on the studio album, ROZ VITALIS goes the extra mile and play their hearts out taking a more driving approach with a greater emphasis of Alexey Gorshkov's trumpet playing skills which at times makes me think they've kidnapped a mariachi band and forced them to play for vodka or something! The band pulls these tracks off with ease offering us hard driving rhythmic developments as heard on the bass and more pronounced rockin' guitar interaction along with lush organ and keyboard runs. The melodic developments are just as tasty and intact as on "Lavoro d'Amore" but the band simply hits a home run with their tight uncompromising prog bombast hypnotizing the audience into musical bliss.

It takes a lot for me to get excited about a live album to be honest. While i love much music, i do not equally love live renditions of many bands who more often than not fail to add any gusto and bravado to the studio versions at hand assuming they don't butcher the whole package entirely. ROZ VITALIS proves to me on this first sampling of their LIVE settings that they are actually MORE enticing as a live act than they are on many of their albums. While i love the majority of their entire discography, it is true that sometimes things can sound a tad clinical in the production department and this LIVE setting offers a totally organic funfair of talented musicians mixing and melding their musical mojo.

The production is crisp and clear and actually sounds like their playing in the same room. While there is a live audience attending, don't expect arena rock here as there is only a small crowd of fans in attendance, but what a treat they experienced to on this day with a performance like this. The familiar tunes with added elements of space rock, occasional funky guitars and the more rocking approach in general with healthy doses of vaunting trumpet add a whole new dimension to the "Lavoro d'Amore" track list and one that sits with me quite well. This is just as recommended as any of the other top notch studio albums in the band's canon. A LIVE album that sits well with its studio counterparts.