REVIEW: Bright Ophidia - Quiet and Calm

After a seven-year hiatus, Polish prog-metallers Bright Ophidia return with their first studio album since 2017’s Fighting The Gravity. Recorded at Lagrune Studio, this long-awaited release explores the ins and outs of human emotion, charting the highs and lows of our inner struggles. For the uninitiated, Quiet and Calm marks Bright Ophidia’s fifth full-length release (alongside a handful of demos and singles). Over the years, the band have earned a place among prog metal’s elite, sharing festival lineups with Opeth, Dream Theater, and Haken - most notably at Prog in Park, Poland’s premier progressive music festival.

With this latest release, Bright Ophidia continue refining their signature blend of compositional complexity and metallic aggression. The album blends together intricate, layered guitar work, unpredictable time signatures, and atmospheric textures into an energetic and evolving auditory experience. While the expected elements of their past work remain, there’s a renewed sense of urgency and emotional depth that helps in making this one of their most immersive offerings to date. The heavy incorporation of ethnic instruments and vocals via the appearance of several guest performers is a bold new evolution in their sound that deserves further exploration. There’s something truly special here, and hopefully, this new direction extends far beyond a single album.

The early singles provided an intense glimpse into the album’s evolving direction, building anticipation over the years. Bright Ophidia have steadily released music videos leading up to this moment, starting with ‘In Your Eyes’ five years ago, followed by ‘Survive’ a year later, and most recently, the album’s opener ‘Anger’ last year. It’s been a long time coming, but with an album this meticulously crafted, the wait has been more than justified.

Additional standout tracks include the title track ‘Quiet and Calm,’ and the album closer, ‘Rise.’ The ethnic instrumentals from featured guest performer Marek Papaj on ‘Rise’ beautifully mirror those in the opener, ‘Anger,’ creating a sense of cohesion that bookends the album perfectly. Meanwhile, ‘Quiet and Calm’ leans heavily into djent-inspired grooves, offering plenty for fans of prog’s younger, (debatably) heavier sibling.

With Quiet and Calm, Bright Ophidia have delivered an album as impressively intricate as it is powerful. Showcasing true mastery of their genre with razor-sharp technicality and flawless production. Every riff, rhythm, and atmospheric layer feels meticulously placed, yet never at the expense of raw emotion. The perfectly refined production allows each element to breathe while maintaining the crushing intensity that defines their sound.

What truly sets this album apart, however, is the band’s bold embrace of ethnic voices and instrumentation. Rather than feeling like a gimmick or a passing experiment, these elements are woven seamlessly into the music, adding depth and richness to the listening experience. It’s an exciting evolution—one that not only expands their sonic identity but also hints at an even more ambitious future. If this album is any indication, Bright Ophidia are just beginning to explore the full scope of their creative potential, and we can only hope that this direction continues to unfold in the years to come.

Score: 8/10

Quiet and Calm will be released on March 28th 2025 via Via Nocturna.

Words: Andrew Nile

Photos: Bright Ophidia