SILENCE BETWEEN SOUNDS

KARMAMOI- "Karma happening right now", or so it was explained to me. This Italian band formed in 2009, members eager to explore progressive rock music in ways meaningful to them.

On "Silence Between Sounds"- an evocative title that suggests a sort of meditation, a search for meaning- KARMAMOI pose(s) a difficult question: What are the roots, the sources of human failure?

The lyrics suggest that answers lie in stars and classical philosophy, astronomy to Plato.

Using guitar, bass, and drums, yet adding cello, flute, and keyboards- including liberal piano (and with crystalline production), KARMAMOI teamed with several vocalists to depict the ways they seek to explore and understand the question.

"Nashira" which enters after a brief piano-driven prelude, introduces the smoky, sardonic vocals which at first I found off-putting. This is not a knock against Sara Rinaldi, who has a fine, quality voice. It's more a matter of personal taste, and wanting coherence between lyrics and tone.

Nashira also offers the first reference to astronomy, as well as the mythic elements KARMAMOI draws from and utilizes in poetic ways. Nashira is a luminous, white, huge star in the tail of the Capricorn constellation, a star easily visible in the sky.

Musically, we get those smoky vocals, then quickening bass to propel the clean guitar and piano tones, along with alternating quiet and more energetic passages. "Nashira"- The Fortunate One.

Next is "Atma"- seemingly related to the Hindu term "Atman"- the spiritual life principle of the universe. Whereas the previous track lyrics referred to life struggles like rape, addiction, and madness, Atma lyrics examine self-salvation or self-destruction. It's a brief dialogue within self.

Atma begins with dreamy, reflective vocals, then gains intensity, and liquid, bold guitar tones lead finally to an ambiguous ending.

"Sirio" is the sole instrumental track, and one of my favorites on the album. The title suggests "Sirius"- one of the brightest stars in the sky, and according to mythology, the canine companion to Orion. Or, perhaps this is a reference to the Italian holy man, Sirio Carappa?

Somewhat discordant guitar tones lead the complex musical journey on Sirio.

"Martes" may be the most intriguing lyrical entry. Again we hear the sultry vocals that grow more focused referring perhaps to the god of war, Mars, and warning of the all-too-easy path of violence and destruction. Here too, we have the duality of Mars, mated with Venus, and their love-child Harmonia: the lyrics lead to the lovely "Prayer for Peace" in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishads: loosely translated as "From ignorance, lead me to truth; from darkness, to light; from death lead me to immortality. OM- peace, peace, peace".

Next, "Plato's Cave", an invitation to recall Platonic philosophy! Driving guitars and wailing, sardonic, pulsating vocals, which drawl with insouciance, propel this tune. Here are lush passages, interspersed with martial drums as in a solemn dance- depicting perhaps the sense of inner subjugation, being chained to the walls of a cave, and being consumed with the delusion that shadows are real.

Plato's Cave offers the glimpse of redemption, of rising above the lower self and finding True Reality.

Then, the very dark "Lost Days". We hear the soft, tormented tones, and listen to lyrics of haunted days and nights, during which the obsessed lover finds only "your damned soul" while seeking freedom from that obsessive love.

And, the finale, "Canis Majoris". KARMAMOI offers us no neat, quick fix to the challenge- what of human failure?

Canis Majoris again has the sardonic vocal style, at first the music is slow, then grand, and back again. The lyricist poses the tortured question, "Am I mad?" and suggests, "What you hunt is wrong"- what you seek is misguided.

Canis Majoris is a hypergiant red star, which according to astronomers is in the grand, painful process of death over many millennia. The tune slows almost to a stop, then reignites, only to end once and for all.

Thus we are led along this path from enormity to enormity, from star to star, the stars of destiny.

KARMAMOI have crafted a lovely, thought-provoking album filled with layers of meaning, and fine artistry. Once again I am reminded why I am a "Progressive Rock Fanatic".

This year of 2016 was the first year that I was finally in a position of personal preference to buy more than just a few new releases, and thanks to my inclusion in the membership of a Facebook page called Progressive Rock Fanatics, I was also exposed to many new bands, obscure bands, and established bands with new releases. It was that page that connected me with Karmamoi, an Italian band of three members who chose four different female vocalists for their latest and third album, "Silence Between Sounds". I watched a promotion video and at first thought they sounded good but with the heavy rock guitar and odd time signature, they didn't sound different from much of what I had heard already. Then the vocals came in and I was drawn into the song. The singer sounded like Che Aimee Dorval of Casualties of Cool, a band project with Devin Townsend. I love Che's voice on the CoC album and here was a woman who could sing in that dusky, jazz lounge style. The next thing, I was backing the band's new album on PledgeMusic.

Sadly, Karmamoi were not able to reach their goal; however, they went ahead with releasing their album at the end of October and through some message exchanges with drummer/keyboardist/music and song writer, Danielle Giovannoni, I was able to order the album directly from the band instead of through Amazon as I usually do.

Karmamoi and "Silence Between Sounds" really surprised me. I had them pegged as a heavy, neo-prog type outfit but this album delivers so much more. Each of the seven tracks moves, twists, turns, stops and changes gear and direction, and never becomes formulated or predictable. A gentle, atmospheric start can abruptly change to a crunching, heavy battery, drop suddenly into the atmosphere with something light and mind-soothing, sprinkle pretty notes all around, and then move on into another territory. Each piece is like a journey and you can never be sure where you are going to go and where you will end up. But one thing for sure is that the music feels like it was written from the mind and the heart and no label or formula was considered in the process. This is music for creativity and expression's sakes!

It took me a while to conjure up any comparisons to other bands though I felt that the musical styles were still familiar enough. I think older Porcupine Tree comes to mind often, and because of the combination of heavy and atmospheric and sometimes acoustic with female vocals, I also think of White willow, too. In a couple of spots I was also reminded of non-heavy Devin Townsend. Danielle told me that Pineapple Thief, Steven Wilson, OSI, and many prog classics are influences and as well artists like Sting, Toto, and Massive Attack are favourites. What makes this album so interesting is how all these influences are blended to various degrees into the resulting music, creating an album that is both unique and familiar.

As I mentioned above, it was the vocals that sold me on giving my time and attention (and ultimately my money) to this album. We have four female vocalists, each with her own contribution to the songs. Sara Rinaldi is the one whom I heard in the promotional video and she sings on "Nashira", Martes", Plato's Cave", and "Canis Majoris". Sometimes she has an American, down south, almost staccato enunciation that reminds me just a bit of Janis Joplin in quieter moments but more so like someone who might have had a hit album in the nineties. Hellena sings on "Atma" in low and soothing tones and also in higher tones in harmony with herself. Serena Ciacci takes the mic for "Lost Days", which reminds me of a Sarah McLachlan style of a song. Finally, Irene Morelli sings soprano on "Sirio" and "Martes". Each of the four women contributed with their own feelings and experiences, says Danielle, allowing the band to concentrate on the music and let the singers interpret their roles much like an actor.

An album where each song is crafted independently but by the sum of the songs, a greater whole is achieved, this album is a wonderful addition to my 2016 collection!

Italian band KARMAMOI was formed back in 2008 in Italy, at the onset a 5 man strong ensemble but these days reduced to a core of two permanent members. "Silence Between Sounds" is the third studio production by the band, featuring the then three permanent members of the band and quite a few additional musicians that was required. The album was self-released by the band in 2016.

Karmamoi's third studio album is a truly well made album. A creation difficult to pinpoint in terms of any subcategories, with well made songs, excellent musicians throughout and a high quality mix and production as the icing on the cake. Those who tend to favor bands such as Porcupine Tree should have a field day with this one, especially if they don't mind encountering a band that use a slightly more expanded set of elements to create music in a similar vein as that highly influential and renowned band.

This is the third album from Italian-UK band Karamoi, and after suffering some line-up changes the remaining trio of Daniele Giovannoni (drums, recording engineer and producer), Alessandro Cefalì (bass guitar) and Alex Massari (guitar) decided not to bring in new permanent members of the band, but instead have relied on session musicians and for vocals feature guest singers Sara Rinaldi, Irene Morelli, Hellena and former band singer Serena Ciacci. Heavily influenced by Porcupine Tree in particular, I found the use of multiple singers not working as well as it could have, just because they are all so different. Sara Rinaldi is definitely reminiscent of Amy Winehouse, and that just doesn't work with the style of music the band are playing. Comparing her efforts (and needless to say she is the main singer) with Hellena's sultry tones on the dreamy and atmospheric "Atma" shows just how special this album could have been, whereas in reality it has become a very hit and miss affair.

While not dismissing it out of hand, there is much more in the progressive scene that I would rather be listening to.

Review - #26 (Karmamoi - Silence Between Sounds)

Silence Between Sounds is the third and strongest album (as of 2021) from the Italian progressive rock band Karmamoi released in 2016. Due to various changes in the band's line-up the album took over two years to release. This allowed the band to harness the opportunity to create music that displayed even more elements of progressive rock then they have ever done before. The band consists of Alex Massari on guitar, Alessandro Cefali on bass, and Daniele Giovannoni on drums/keyboards. If you haven't noticed, this incarnation of Karmamoi doesn't include a permanent vocalist. Therefore, Karmamoi has opted to bring in various female vocalists who participate on separate tracks. This decision made by the band adds a unique element to the music as the vocalist display distinct qualities depending on the track while introducing various vocal styles. In addition, this is the first time Karmamoi has involved other instrumental musicians in the creative process. The album features instruments such as the cello, piano, flute, and clavinet which simply allows Karmamoi to expand their musical possibilities at a greater degree than before. Producer and engineer Mark Tucker who has worked with bands such as Jethro Tull was an important part of the album's creation, working closely with Daniele as co-producer and mixing engineer. This allows the album to receive a noticeable improvement in terms of production when compared to their previous albums. Silence Between Sounds explores the concept of attempting to understand the reasons behind human failure. Karmamoi has said it was an interesting and challenging theme that the band felt they were ultimately able to capture within the music found on the album. Within the fifty-one minutes of music found on this album, Karmamoi is able to create a compelling journey for the listener that is full of twist and turns while introducing an atmospheric yet heavy sound that is executed remarkably well.

The album begins with the track entitled Silence Between Sounds & Nashira which also happens to be the longest track found on the album. There is a mixture of more delicate atmospheric sections in combination with more guitar orientated sections that add an interesting dynamic to the piece. Throughout this almost eleven-minute track, there are various sections that work quite well that contain impressive instrumentation and melodies from the entire band. However, at other points the melodies don't seem to work as well as the band intended. One such example can be found at the six minute and thirty-eight second mark where the vocals and the instrumentation coming from the rest of the band don't seem to mix all that well which unfortunately results in a disjointed chorus. Nevertheless, it doesn't bring down the track as a whole as the entire piece contains an overwhelming majority of positive attributes rather than negative. The track ultimately concludes with a beautiful dream-like section that features a wonderful guitar solo at the end. The next track, Atma, is truly mesmerizing as it remains to be a high point of the album. As it builds, the same vocal melody is repeated as different instrumental sections are introduced. Vocalist Hellena sings in a very different style when compared to vocalist Sara Rinaldi who sang on the previous track. Nevertheless, it works especially well. In fact, Atma happens to give me a particular Pink Floyd feel within its atmospheric tone while containing some wonderful guitar solos reminiscent of David Gilmour's style. The piano sound the band chose to use within this track fits the music perfectly as its tone is melancholy yet hopeful. Up next is the guitar-led piece entitled Siro which is quite impressive. Alex Massari's guitar work throughout is especially superb as he performs various melodies impeccably. Siro is surely one of the heaviest tracks found within the band's catalogue as it contains various metal-orientated riffs and melodies. A splendid instrumental! The next track, Martes, includes some of the most beautiful vocals found on the entire album. The entirety of it is genuinely magnificent as the band displays their understanding behind having high and low points throughout to keep the listener intrigued. Plato's Cave is up next and is perhaps the proggiest moment found on the entire album. Sara Rinaldi's vocal delivery is particularly great here as her vocals feel especially Radiohead inspired. In addition, at the seven minute and forty-seven second mark Emilio Merone performs a fantastic keyboard solo which happens to be quite rare on a Karmamoi album, resulting in me being particularly surprised when hearing it for the first time. Lost Days is the next track which interestingly can also be found on the band's second album entitled Odd Trip. It seems to have been completely rerecorded with new vocals and instruments. When compared to the version found on Odd Trip, this is unquestionably an improvement. The rerecorded version contains a great deal of emotion and power in addition to a further impressive instrumental backing. The last track, Canis Majoris, is yet another proggier moment found on the album. Similar to Plato's Cave, vocalist Sara Rinaldi does an impressive vocal performance with it feeling particularly Radiohead inspired yet again. The drumming from Daniele Giovannoni is performed tastefully with notable flute melodies coming from Lara Bagnati. The track then culminates with a terrific reprise of Canis Majoris's opening but now performed with increased momentum and energy.

Silence Between Sounds is a particularly impressive album within Karmamoi's catalogue as each track excels with numerous breathtaking vocal melodies and head-banging guitar riffs. There is a mixture of sounds offered that when combined make this album truly shine as a unique fragment in the larger world of progressive rock. Furthermore, I hope to see the band revisit the ideas that were present on this album as they continue to write music into the future. The atmospheric yet heavy sound created on this album fits the band's music exceptionally well while also being noticeably melodic. This is certainly an excellent addition to any progressive rock collection!