Opus Dai cultivates a rich and varied aural landscape - a place where diverse sounds blend into a singular musical force. Driving and aggressive yet gentle in spirit, an epic and graceful warmth stokes the fires that burn brightly for Opus Dai. Drawing on influences from Led Zeppelin and Jeff Buckley to Tool and The Mars Volta, Opus Dai weave a broad musical tapestry. The superlative musicianship and beautifully crafted songs are the hallmark of this newly formed, yet years in the making, band.
Like individual rivulets of water edging their way to a common sea, the history of Opus Dai is a journey that began several years ago with the formation of L.A.s noted multi-ethnic, world music influenced O.H.M. With diverse cultural backgrounds and inspirations, the four members of Opus Dai rose from the ashes of O.H.M. to meet at a common center. Distorted Hendrix-like guitars exist alongside soaring vocals and urgent drums to create a potent mix of melody and ferocity.
The bands debut output, a five-song EP entitled Actum Procul, recorded live at the Roxy Theatre in West Hollywood, is a standout representation of the bands undeniable intensity. In a remarkably short time, Opus Dai has become a must-see live band with a diverse and loyal following, having shared the stage with System of a Down, Dredg, Linkin Park, The Apex Theory and Sevendust.
Now, Opus Dai gives us Tierra Tragame, the bands first long player. The album is a 12-song progressive rock masterpiece recorded and mixed by the bands virtuosic guitarist, Atsushi Miyamoto with the creative input of Chris Holmes (Gratitude, Helmet, Opiate For The Masses.) Track three, Rain, begins with a soaring vocal intro from astounding frontman Chrispaul Basso, met with frenetic and relentless riffing by Miyamoto, bassist David Alva and drummer, Jagger Gonzales. Nightingale is epic and psychedelic, exhibiting an unusual back beat shuffle complimenting Basso's world-weary lyrics and a yearning vocal melody thats hard to shake. All said, Opus Dais passion is palpable on Tierra Tragame. The songs speak for themselves as a testimony to the high quality of musicianship and songwriting the band possesses.
