SISARE

As some of you know, I always was a big fan of the progressive rock coming from Scandinavia, mainly due to Kaipa, The Flower Kings, Anglagard, Anekdoten, Pain Of Salvation and Opeth, only to mention some of them, which are probably the most famous too. So, it's always a pleasure and a moment of big expectations when I know the existence of another Scandinavian prog band. So, the same happened when some time ago I had the opportunity to know Sisare.

Sisare is a Finish progressive rock band that was formed in the peninsula of Scandinavia. As happened with their compatriots Sammal, the band is settled in the Finnish city of Turku. Sisare is an experimental progressive rock/metal band that begins their career in 2008 as a progressive death metal band. As a death metal band, Sisare released a demo and an EP before split. After the split, Sisare returned in 2010 with a more progressive direction including elements of rock, jazz and folk. Their music can be characterized by the post-metal modern sound with the melancholic ambience that is so usual in almost all Scandinavian progressive rock bands. In 2013 Sisare released their debut studio album "Nature's Despair". Five years later in 2018, the band released their second studio album, this one, "Leaving The Land".

So, "Leaving The Land" is the second studio album of Sisare and that was released in 2018. The line up on "Leaving The Land" is Severi Peura (vocals and guitar), Timo Lehtonen (guitar), Hermanni Piltti (bass guitar) and Rauli Elenius (drums).

"Leaving The Land" is a very consistent album with a warm atmosphere. For me, it's probably an exception that, as a keyboard lover, I listen to a great progressive rock album without any keyboards. This could be seen as a compliment to the band. Most of the time albums without keyboards can't keep my full attention. Just six songs feature on this well produced and strong album, each long enough to grow on you but never too long to be all too repetitive, which is the case with some other bands. Sisare's music recalls the most melodic and less metal moments of the past decade. To be exact, Opeth have played a huge catalytic role in the artistic temperament of the band. The effects of Opeth's revival progressive rock style (and not from their formerly metal side), are expanding to all the six compositions of the album, sometimes more and sometimes less. In particular, the style of the Finns is borne out by the melodies of Opeth's guitar twins over time. The same similarities exist in the vocals. For instance the voice of Peura is very similar to Akerfeldt's.

"Leaving The Land" has six tracks. "Escape" is a strong opener, demonstrating the dark tensions of Sisare's writing. This piece blends melodic components with dreamy vocals and themes, but maintains enough of a rock edge to propel the song into its climactic moments with big choruses and great instrumental licks. "Mountains" begins with some post-rock atmosphere with some nice guitar parts over droning bass and pensive drums. This is a piece brooding and heavy. The writing relies on the extended instrumental breaks and strong guitar leads during all its duration. There's a somber moodiness in this track. "Geno" is lightly touched by that Scandinavian melancholy, although never in a true depressing way. This is a track with a great encapsulation of the band's strengths, with tight guitar/bass riffing in clever syncopation, a rich atmosphere, and a powerful vocal work and interesting melodies. The band's post-rock influences particularly shine on "Pace" with several internal segments. The guitar riffs are addictive with a bit of post-rock quality and those lead vocals, they continue to be a high point. The heavy and mellow textures combine wonderfully and the guitar soloing has a psychedelic undertone. "Shattered" is a psychedelic tinged track with some more excellent guitar work and fabulous bass. This is a remarkable piece that seems to me the most Opeth's like moment on the album. It has a strong vibe throughout, especially in the vocal parts. "Perception" is a catchy slice of guitar based psychedelic prog. It's a good example of the way the band give space to their instrumental passages including the wonderful crafted solo parts to bring just that extra layer into the mix of the song. It has also a very strong vibe, especially in the vocal work.

Conclusion: With "Leaving The Land", Sisare made a great job. I like the progressive and art rock side of the band. You can find some great vocal melodies on this album. "Leaving The Land" is consistent and the overall atmosphere is warm. As a reference for the music you could mention the mellow side of Opeth even in the vocal department. But, said this, I would like to emphasize that Sisare is developing its own sound. The guitars remain ever present, marking the melodic tinges, and there are hooks aplenty that see the music turn into highly efficient and emotional solos. The album follows a rather safe prog rock path. The album doesn't vary between the compositions due to the similar atmosphere chosen by the Finns. With "Leaving The Land", Sisare seems to evoke some hidden, warm feeling inside, and the album entire makes for a serene, yet uplifting experience. It isn't perfect, but in its peaks it paints soundscapes unparalleled.

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)

Sisare is one of those bands that are ever so slightly unconventional, and remains compelling and accessible despite rather than because of it. Post-rock, psychedelic rock and heavy prog, combined with and at least to some extent explored within an indie/alternative rock context is what we are treated to here, and the sum of all the parts here makes me suspect that quite a few fans of Norwegian solo artists Bjorn Riis might appreciate what this band is all about, and perhaps also some of the fans of his main band Airbag. A certain affection for melancholic moods will be required though.

'The Brew' features the only guest performance, Heidi Lahtinen on violin - which is actually the first thing to be heard. It brings a folk flavour into the melancholic and classic rock spirited song. 'Salvation?' comes occasionally closer to Metal, especially on drums and guitars, but Peura's vocals luckily don't get aggressive. His clean rock baritone is loaded with slightly depressed emotion and is technically very capable; the very long notes on 'Isolation' are sung without any uncertainty. The prog aspect is not very central, meaning that a rock listener can enjoy SISARE's music simply as powerful and melancholic rock without a necessary prog orientation. The compositions don't have notable shifts into completely different sections, nor do they have significant instrumental parts.

Perhaps the best comparisons (Post Metal is not a familiar subgenre to me) come from the more intelligent area of Heavy / Metal music, bands such as ANATHEMA, OPETH and STEVEN WILSON's several involvements. Nevertheless the songs are mostly relatively atmospheric, and the guitars have a good balance between heaviness and delicacy. it's hard to spot faults in this well-done album, which is also produced and mixed by Severi Peura himself, but it's also difficult to pick favourite songs (with the exception of the opener featuring the violin) as the entire album is more or less soaked in the same dark melancholia. Maybe because of that feeling I give "only" three stars in this prog environment.