"This young Winnipeg band projects their Ukrainian roots onto today's world, with influence of Slavic, rock, gypsy, punk and reggae. Tight instrumentals, good lyrics and emotional melodies color their modern interpretation of traditional folk songs, and set apart their main repertoire, their original songs. Very good show band, very novel recording!
Formed in Winnipeg in 2005, Zrada has been forging unforgettable music ever since. Zrada has taken their Ukrainian roots into the modern world by fusing it with the music they grew up with. Inspired by Balkan and Slavic melodies; sultry gypsy dances; So-Cal punk rock, reggae and ska, Zrada’s sound is a tight maelstrom of intricate melodies, unyielding grooves, and emotional beauty. Zrada’s members were brought together by their heritage, love of good music, a passion for their ancestral homeland and debauchery. It is this paradox that leads to Zrada’s distinct sound.
Zrada’s eponymous release is a force of nature. The album projects the same beauty, emotion and themes of many of Zrada’s ancestors’ songs… with gunfire and double bass pedals for good measure. With 16 tracks of romance and mayhem, Zrada takes you into a complex world of melodies and distortion. Finely crafted, intricately complex yet simple to listen to - Zrada challenges you into shed your pre-conceptions of Eastern and Ukrainian music. Zrada will force you to betray your musical sensibilities.
Kicking off with a traditional drinking song, Zrada doesn’t take long to shed that cloak of tradition, kicking straight into Give me Liquor – a song about the escapism of excess. Combining punk rock and a heavy funk riff The Young Writer gets everyone dancing – destroying immigration checkpoints; while the poignant Portrait delves into ska and reggae delivering a stark message of longing and unresolved emotion. Beautiful melodies and vocals of The Letter and Quick Waters give way to the insanity of Parade.
A highlight of the album is Winter which features the beautiful vocals of guest artist Sofia Bilozir. Verging on reggae and klezmer the song will challenge and excite.
After all of this musical diversity the album builds to its climax, Natasha – where Zrada unleashes its punk and metal roots with full force. Listeners will be surprised as the scores of instruments and voices in the epic Natasha weave a tale of lust, betrayal, agriculture and utter chaos.
Enter the world of Zrada – embrace the beauty of contradiction.
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