Roz Vitalis - 2025 - Dedication to BigNick

(38:49; ArtBeat Music)






















The latest studio album by Russian band Roz Vitalis is dedicated to their friend and producer Nikolai Bogaichuk who sadly passed away in 2023 and is described by the band as “a concept album about the creative path of a Man with an Endless Love for Music." Roz Vitalis have been following a path being set by keyboard player Ivan Rozmainsky for more than 20 years now, and they continue to move in the realm of avant prog/RIO which also combines modern classical composition techniques to make something which sounds like no-one else. It can indeed be keyboard heavy at times, but it is not unusual for one of those keyboards to be a harpsichord while there is always a large use of woodwind as well. 

One never knows quite what to expect with a new Roz Vitalis release except that it will always be interesting, exciting, and take us on a journey to where we know not. They have stuck to their Russian roots and influences throughout their career, and while the war must be having some impact on their daily lives they continue to produce music which is exciting and vital. It can be full of discord and disharmony, or it could be quite pastoral: the drums could be missing for lengthy periods or dramatically taking control.  The result is music which twists and turns, never settling, nor letting the listener relax. There are times when it can be quite difficult to listen to as the brain does not know what direction it is being moved towards, while at others it can be incredibly commercial, yet it moves between the styles seamlessly and the joins never matter. I am sure Bogaichuk would be honoured by the album the band have produced in his memory and is yet another exciting addition to the Roz Vitalis canon. 

Kev Rowland, October 2025

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