Rosa Nocturna – Casokruhy | Progressive Rock Central.com

Rosa Nocturna, a Czech Republic folk, and power metal band, released a great album of music last year at this time. The album was titled, Casokruhy, and it was released on November first of 2024.

The band is made up of members: Milan Krupa, on bass guitar; Matyáš Vítek, on drums; Zuzana Matoušková, on flute; Tonda “Gabriel” Buček, on lead guitar; and Aneta Zatočilová, on lead vocals.

Their discography includes albums and EPs: V Tmách, an EP released in 2010; Rosa Nocturna, aDemo EP, released in 2014; Zapomenuté příběhy, released in 2016; Za hradbami času, released in 2017; Andělé a bestie, released in 2022; and Casokruhy, released in 2024.

Casokruhy, is a fantastic introduction to this talented band. The lyrics are all sung in her native Czech language by vocalist Aneta Zatočilová. However, I have translated the titles, so that you can get an idea of each song’s concept.

Casokruhy, which translates to Caso Rings, may have something to do with “encircling time,” as many of us would like to do, to hopefully slow it down. The album’s cover art, visualizes this idea, with a ring around a clock face, shaped like a planet.

“Přes hory, přes doly,” sets the stage for the rest of the music on the album. It opens with brass horns that sound like the horn on a boat or train, ready to take off. The song literally translates from Czech to English, “Over the mountains, over the valleys.” And that almost sounds like a Led Zeppelin song title, which makes me happy already. Aneta Zatočilová’s vocals are very straight ahead beautiful. No growling, just wonderful flute from Zuzana Matoušková, encircling the soundscape. Very Jethro Tull or holiday sounding. A wonderful, folk sound set to heavy drums and great electric lead guitar. Aneta Zatočilová is a great vocalist, even if I don’t know what she is saying. The men in the band help back her up as a chorus and it sounds wonderful. I am enjoying this band’s music already!

“Hra,” means ‘game’ in English. Aneta Zatočilová sings wonderful lead vocals with male vocal accompaniment. This is the longest song on the album, but you will appreciate every minute of its heavier side. Still no screaming, just strained vocals from the male lead singer. The choruses are medieval and full of folk aspects. They take a break between metal charges to provide these folk breaks which are well placed within their songs. At times, it sounds like Zuzana Matoušková may be singing with Aneta when she is not playing flute.

“Vzbuď mě před večerem,” or ‘wake me up before the evening,’ opens with a slower drum salute, then metal lead electric guitar, bass and drums. Aneta Zatočilová returns to lead the soundscape forward. Another good solid folk metal song, this time with backing strings. There is an English language countdown, before an explosion fills the soundscape.

“Vteřiny,” which means ‘seconds,’ is the name of this track. It opens with flute and Aneta Zatočilová singing in Czech. The chorus joins her and then more wonderful flute. A very rich, folk song, with a wonderful holiday melody and quieter electric guitar, bass, and drums. Aneta Zatočilová closes the song with acapella vocals.

“Rex Ex Tu?” or ‘Rex is here.’ Aneta Zatočilová sings at a higher key, as she is welcomed by flute and the chorus of singers.

“Čarodějka,” or ‘a witch.’ starts out as a full-fledged rocker. Then, Aneta Zatočilová slows things down as she annunciates the powerful lyrics she is delivering. She has just the perfect dramatic sound in her vocals, to match the folk/metal music being delivered professionally and calmly. You can tell this band has experience and knows how to perform, produce and record an album well.

“Hvězdy,” or ‘stars,’ opens with human whistling, followed by Zuzana Matoušková playing flute with accompanying piano. Aneta Zatočilová and a male singer duet this soft folk song. Other than the drums, this is more of a folk song, without the metal licks. The flute solos, intermingled with piano are just perfect. There is an electric guitar solo towards the end of the song.

“Nekonečno,” which means ‘infinity,’ is another of the longest tracks on the album. It opens with strings and Aneta Zatočilová singing to soft drums. Just perfect. Then, the pace picks up as the drums begin to gallop with the metal guitars, horns, and bass. There is a far strung metal electric guitar solo which takes off mid-way through the song, that delivers an album highlight.

“Múza,” or ‘muse,’ has a Western feel to the sound. Like a spaghetti western from the 1960s. Some of Aneta Zatočilová’s best vocals. A solid metal rocker with great drums, bass, and electric guitar. It all cools down and slows down to include strings towards the end. The guitar solo at the end is great.

“Památník,” or ‘memorial,’ is full of soft drums and Zuzana Matoušková’s flute playing. Aneta Zatočilová sings vocals, as slow sci-fi synth sounds are played with flute surrounding. Very unique sounding, indeed!

“Jestli je tam nebe,” or, ‘if there is a heaven,’ is beautiful. It is full of soft strings, piano, and Aneta Zatočilová’s soft voice. It all sounds so wonderfully classical. Like something you might have heard during the Renaissance. An absolutely perfect, quiet song, full of the glory of Aneta Zatočilová’s voice. Wish there had been more of these songs. Just perfect.

“Světu zdar,” or ‘good luck to the world,’ opens quietly with piano, but then the full force of the metal soundscape pounces upon your ears. Aneta Zatočilová, quietly sings. Then, male almost growling vocals ruin the moment. However, Aneta Zatočilová takes back over with soft piano. Then, the growling begins again. They interchange moods and sounds. This one is full of grinding guitar and a metal soundscape.

“Vteřiny,” (Folk verze) is a folkier version of track number 4. Aneta Zatočilová sings with the accompaniment of Zuzana Matoušková’s flute. Thankfully a happy ending after the rough, growling song before this one.

Rosa Nocturna’s Casokruhy is an album full of upbeat folk music, mixed well with metal to provide an elegant soundscape that is absolutely worth hearing. Aneta Zatočilová’s voice is one of the best voices I’ve heard this year. She sings at the perfect level. She doesn’t try to overwhelm your ears. She provides warm, emotive vocals that coupled with Zuzana Matoušková’s flute, and the metal soundscape, help to make Casokruhy, the perfect gift for this holiday season. I wouldn’t want to hear Aneta Zatočilová sing this album in anything other than her native language. It probably would take away the uniqueness and festive sound of this album. Please give Rosa Nocturna’s Casokruhy, a listen. I think you will be hooked, thereafter!

Album Track List:

Přes hory, přes doly – 4:14
Hra – 5:34
Vzbuď mě před večerem – 3:56
Vteřiny – 4:52
Rex Ex Tu? – 4:12
Čarodějka – 4:37
Hvězdy – 4:15
Nekonečno – 4:16
Múza – 4:14
Památník – 3:19
Jestli je tam nebe – 3:42
Světu zdar – 4:25
Vteřiny (Folk verze) – 4:55

Recorded, mixed and mastered by Jakub Maggi Malášek. Recorded at Neuro Impulse Sound Studio. Mixed at Neuro Impulse Sound Studio. Mastered at Neuro Impulse Sound Studio. Manufactured by AZCD.

Band Website and Social Media Links:

https://www.rosanocturna.cz/en/index.html

https://rosanocturna.bandcamp.com