In Clash With The Zeitgeist. Para Lia

Years fly by when one gets older and it surely doesn't get any slower I can assure you. At some point you will look into the mirror and think who is that grey-haired person? The good news is that new bands keep coming into my life and some turn into new favourites of which a new album is something to look forward to. Para Lia from Cottbus in Germany is one of these bands. With album number three the duo sets a giant step in its development.

On it's first two records 'Soap Bubble Dreams' (2019) and 'Gone With The Flow' (2020) Para Lia played, on average, loud, melodic rock with great guitar work by René Methner. Extremely nice but not always really, really special. With In Clash With The Zeitgeist, the duo decided to dive off the deep end and see where it would land. The result is an extremely varied rock album and more. Gone is that level of predictability, enter surprise and awe.

In the three years between the last album and this new one lay three years, including the two pandemic years. I have the impression that this period was also used to ripen the songs and allow for new ideas, some totally out of the box to enter the new music, all adding up to the experience In Clash With The Zeitgeist has become.

The album has a fully modern sound but if I had to compare it to anything, it may well be that had The Moody Blues (with Justin Hayward) started today, it would have sounded like this. Music going beyond what is trendy, certainly taking elements from it but adding anything that works in the context. So, yes, you will hear a nice, melodic rock riff and extremely tight rhythms, but also be alert for elements that have nothing to do with rock music. You will find several of these surprises that seem to clash with the zeitgeist in music. Usually critics call this the development of an artist or band. In my view daring to develop is another important prerequisite. Only when an artist or band dares to take a next step, change comes in. This is certainly the case for Para Lia.

Promo photo: Christine Schleiffenbaum

The second instance of change is the larger role of singer Cindy Methner. She is more prominent in the mix and adds added value to the songs with her, often, dreamy contributions, while taking the lead vocals on 'Will You Find Me'.

The intro of In Clash With The Zeitgeist may start a bit mysterious, the first songs are all fine and rich in sound rock songs. from the second half of the album things change. First the rock beast in Para Lia has to be tamed. First, René Methner shows what a fine guitarist he is. No half work, he really goes for it, presenting a dense sound with all sorts on effects on his sound.

It all comes together in a rich album, with some great songs on it. Para Lia, not in the least in the great rock song 'Already Came To Know', has set a giant step in its career, deserving to be heard by rock fans all over the world. Cottbus may become to small a town for Para Lia soon. If I'm correct the band may take to the stage soon. Looking forward!

Wout de Natris

You can listen to and order In Clash With The Zeitgeist here:

https://paralia.bandcamp.com/album/in-clash-with-the-zeitgeist