ONDA

The only thing I like better about "Onda" over their previous record "A Hermitage" is the cover art and pictures inside, in fact the whole package is so well done here. On 2016's "A Hermitage" they were a trio with a guest drummer and the guitarist played bass. On "Onda" they are now a five piece with them adding a full time bass player and drummer. Lots of ethnic instruments which certainly adds to the value here, just hearing sounds that are different and it's all in a Post-Rock style. I found "Onda" to be more experimental but not as heavy overall when compared to their previous album. I just connect to it better while this one has been a challenge. Some of these ethnic sounds are compared to a zither, a fiddle and one is a bamboo oboe. We still get lead guitar.

The one track that I did really like from the start was "Sun Tears Red" which could have been on "A Hermitage". That bass line as male vocals mumble away in Korean then a wall of sound from out of nowhere before 1 1/2 minutes as vocals step aside. It does settle back as vocals return but with more passion eventually. An all out assault before 3 minutes and I like when he screams over and over. Intense is the word. My favourite.

My second top three is the opener "Sawtooth" opening with that bamboo oboe as other sounds join in and cry out. A slow start but it's interesting. It kicks in with this heavy rhythm that sounds different with that ethnic instrument crying out. This sounds incredible. Post-Rock styled guitar at 3 1/2 minutes then a calm with those ethnic sounds. Some real heaviness and noise after 6 minutes then that heavy rhythm returns to end it. Nice.

Lastly the title track rounds out my top three. The 7 minute closer like the other two I like has some heaviness with ethnic sounds. I mean this sounds amazing early on as vocal melodies arrive. Heavier before 3 minutes then it settles back some. Strange sounds but I like it. We get crushed at 5 minutes with vocals over top but it settles some quickly.

This is a 4 star album but the longest track "In The Woods" at over 13 minutes is one I can't get into but most of this album works for my tastes. I'm glad to see this album here and on other sites is getting some attention as "A Hermitage" seemed to slip through the cracks which is a shame.