Viza continues to captivate the global music scene with an erratically amusing blend of energized international rock. Unique in its musical arsenal is the inclusion of oud and percussion blended with more traditional rock elements such as guitar, bass and drums. This fascinating fusion, combined with dramatic and powerful live performances have garnered Viza significant success all over the world.
 
Recorded by Jared Gosselin (D12, Macy Gray) at Frank Zappa’s UMRK Studios, Viza’s fifth album, “Carnivalia” is the band’s most animated album – a journey through a symbolic theme park derived from satirical and dramatic influences. Inspired from Gogol Bordello’s multicultural rhapsodies and System of a Down’s notorious screams and riffs, Viza’s groundbreaking songwriting and experimentation has amazed audiences with a mesmerizing blend of instruments, various styles and continued evolution of Viza’s sound.
 
“Loving the new record; Carnivalia’s awesome. I love hearing the new influences and the fun loving spirit and musical wizardry. Overall a really great effort,” said System of a Down frontman Serj Tankian. In 2010, Viza supported Tankian’s solo tour in Europe in the cities of Hamburg, Cologne, Paris, Zurich, Bologna, Athens and Yerevan. “Viza is one of the most unique and interesting bands I have ever encountered. Their live shows are energetic and fun,” he added. Tankian also served as Executive Producer of Viza’s previous album entitled “Made In Chernobyl”.
 
Formerly known as Visa, the band released two EPs and two full length albums, along with a award winning music video.  In the De Facto and Eros albums, the music is pervaded by sonorities taken from Arabic, Armenian and Greek traditions blended with elements of rock and dance.  In the Made in Chernobyl, Russian and Eastern European styles and themes take center stage, intertwined with satirical social commentary on the catastrophe of Chernobyl.
 
In January 2012, to launch the release of “Carnivalia”, Viza embarked on a special “Strangest Show on Earth” European tour in the cities of Hamburg, Copenhagen, Oslo, Frankfurt, Munich, Cologne, Berlin, Prague, Budapest, Zagreb, Ljubljana, and Paris. Fresh off the return of this successful tour, Viza is preparing for a very exciting 2012 filled with more shows in Europe and North America.
 
Among the band’s extensive touring schedule, Viza has performed at Sweden’s Malmofestivalen and Greece’s Rockwave Festival (alongside Prodigy, Gogol Bordello, The Ramones), and has already been invited to perform at Norway’s Kartfestivalen and Hungary’s Sziget festival this upcoming summer, one of Europe’s largest and most prestigious music events.
 
Aside from a passion for music, touring and song writing, Viza’s extensive performances around the globe also serve as their voice for promoting social consciousness of human rights and community issues – as well as providing opportunities to fundraise for various charities, homeless shelters and orphanages.

Rod Olphe is following