CANTO OBSCURA

This group from Finland was established around mid-00's by Pax Romana's leader/founder Matti Kervinen.Kataya evolved from the disbandment of the Ethno/Ambient act Wolf Larsen, where Kervinen played with Teijo Tikkanen.They added multi-instrumentalist Sami Sarhamaa, also founder of the Finnish label Presence Records, in the line-up and the trio recorded its debut ''Canto Obscura'' during a two-year period, released in the spring of 2008.Outside help comes from five guest musicians on vocals, guitars, sax and organ.

The music here seems like coming out of the cold yet sensational Finnish landscapes.Ethereal, delicate and smooth Progressive Rock with mainly folky influences, but offered through an intelligent modern approach, including electronic loops and synthesizers.Kervinen & co. deliver series of short but very elaborate and polished arrangements with limited, dreamy female vocals and a tendency towards moving, instrumental themes with a balanced sound between acoustic and electric vibes.Compatriots MIST SEANSON and VIIMA spring to mind here and there.Deeply atmospheric, the arrangements are based on the mellow synthesizer lines, the folky acoustic guitars and the melodic electric solos, creating cinematic pictures of the Finnish land.The outstanding wordless voices of the two female singers make the whole atmosphere even more emotional.A few tracks though contain a higher level of energy, led by constant CAMEL-esque guitar moves, organs and a more pronounced use of synthesizers.

This is the definition of atmospheric, instrumental Progressive Rock, scanning the emotions from passionate music through laid-back textures of a dreamy approach.Warmly recommended.