Short Reviews [Roz Vitalis - 2023 - "Peace Live"]

Here we have another live album from Roz Vitalis, recorded on 9th April last year in St. Petersburg, taken from the final show of the line-up of Vladislav Korotkikh (flute, low whistle), Ivan Rozmainsky (electric piano, synths), Vladimir Semenov-Tyan-Shansky (guitar), Evgeny Trefilov (drums), and Ruslan Kirillov (bass). Not surprisingly it is the same line-up who recorded the 20th anniversary concert just 6 months earlier, and although a few of the songs have been repeated they have been considerably reworked while this set also contains many new songs. The title of the album is taken from the final song, and it is impossible for anyone not living in Russia or Ukraine to understand what the world is like for normal people. I have various friends and contacts in those countries, and all are worried about the future in a way that those of us not involved can simply not imagine, yet Roz Vitalis are one of those who continue to perform and create new art. Roz Vitalis have long been a band who continue to push boundaries, changing personnel here and there, mixing modern classical music with RIO tendencies and Russian inspiration to create progressive rock which is influenced by many at the bleeding edge yet never sounding like anyone else around. This line-up featured three lead musicians, all prepared to take on the main role, provide support when required, and in many ways, they work with the freedom of expression one normally associates with the Seventies as opposed to the modern day. Ivan uses “classic” prog sounds in his samples, Vladimir provides a much harder neo-prog approach to guitar, Vladislav is more direct than one might expect while Evgeny and Ruslan comes at the music from an ELP/Yes area, yet somehow the quintet combines to make perfect musical sense. Ivan has been the only constant throughout their career, which has seen numerous studio and live albums, and I look forward to hearing the next chapter in this band. If one has not previously come across Roz Vitalis then this deliberately raw and passionate performance is a wonderful place to start.