AT LAST. LIVE

So, Roz Vitalis are back with another live album, which is taken from two different performances in St. Petersburg in December of 2016. What we are presented with here is the full live line-up of the band, which includes trumpet, flute and low whistle, electric and acoustic guitars, keyboards, bass and drums. Here is a band where the arrangements are crucial, and some of the instruments are only used sparingly, which mean that from one song to the next the band can be quite different in their sound and approach. But, band leader Ivan Rozmainsky knows exactly what is needed for each piece, and maintains a continuity throughout. Much of the material being performed has yet to appear on an album, while others are older yet have also never been released in that format.

Musically the band they have most in common with, at least to my ears, is Karda Estra, as they bring together classical music and progressive rock so that a style is created that will appeal to fans of both areas. The largest difference between the two is that Ivan is firstly a pianist, and many of the songs rely on his delicate touch, while another significant difference is the use of trumpet. This is played as if it is being directed by an orchestral conductor as opposed to someone from the jazz scene, and the result is long notes that hit hard and pure, no sliding or strange stylings. Alexey Gorshkov has great breath control, and there is little sense of vibrato or strain, just clear sounds that take the music in a different direction. This brass feel is quite at odds with the flute and low whistle of Vladislav Korotkikh which is much warmer and friendly.

I have long been a fan of this Russian band, and each release cements that even more. I look forward to the next studio album to see what they do with some of the songs included here, and highly recommend this to anyone into the more orchestral style of progressive rock. As this is on Bandcamp, it is also possible to give this a listen before purchase, so why not give them a try?

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