MAAHAN

This is such an interesting recording. I don't know their earlier stuff but Brandon from "Ground & Sky" says "If you enjoyed the first two albums you are likely to find much to like here. If anything the compositions are more concise and hard hitting...". What I find interesting is that there is no lead guitar or bass guitar on this album, instead we get dual cellos that just rip it up like the guitar normally would, and this growly bass clarinet in place of the bass guitar. Lots of horns and drum work as well. This album kicks some serious butt at times and of course it's a little crazy, in fact if I wasn't giving it my full attention I found it quite annoying. Very cool album cover by the way. I like that it clocks in at just under 40 minutes as well.

"Maahan" is the 1 minute horn intro. "Kyyhylli" opens with heavy drums then it settles with bass clarinet as other horns come in. "Helmi Otsalla" is very uptempo with a full sound. "Luiden Valossa, Naapurin Talossa" is a top three for me. It opens with drums, piano and other sounds. It kicks in with a great sound then settles again. Lots of bass sounds here. Contrasts continue. Another top three is "Huikeuden Lierio" which opens sounding very much like the band AREA. Drums join in then it settles with piano a minute in. It kicks back in with bass clarinet. Amazing ! Contrasts continue.

"Elaimet Huutaa" is led by slow moving cellos until the tempo picks up and the sound gets fuller before 2 minutes. Horns are just a blasting at one point. The tempo continues to change.It's pretty intense 4 minutes in. Cool sounds end it. I don't know what they are though. "Lumeen Nukkuneet" has this haunting atmosphere with piano. Then we start to get this slow rhythm the rest of the way. "Kattkorapu" features heavy drums, bass clarinet and horns. What a great song. "Kaarme Toi Ruton Kaupunkiin" has these horns and drums leading the way as cellos come and go. "Rooman Ruumiit" is the final top three tune for me. This is heavy duty. This is a beast ! Drums, cellos and bass clarinet bring the heat. The final song is "Elukka" features a slow moving melody with growly bass clarinet.

Certainly not for everyone but this is unique enough and hard hitting enough that I have to give it 4 stars.