MAAHAN

The very first Rio/Avant album I ever had the great pleasure to listen to was Maahan by Alamaailman Vasarat's, this of course opened up a whole new world of music to me. This album was later followed by Höyry-Kone's Huono Parturi and Sleepytime Gorilla Museum's Of Natural History which to me has re-engergised my spirites.

I have to admit, I was tired of progressive rock as releases like PT's Fear of the Blank Planet and Phideaux's Doomsday Afternoon while quite excellent, and masterpieces in their own right didn't over joy me, driving me to listen to it day and night like an addiction as say like when I discovered modern prog (anglagard) or Italian Prog (Rosenbach, PFM), and hell, even when I first discovered prog (King Crimson). But Maahan is just one of those albums which have leaded me to stay up to late hours listening to every note in pure bliss. I was astounded by this and the two other Avagrade/RIO albums so much that it has led me here with the need to write my now second review.

Perhaps one of the most intriguing things about this album is I don't know why I like the music, under any other circumstance I'd normally find the instruments annoying, a shallow listen would leave me with an impression it was rubbish. In fact I rolled my eyes thinking the whole distorted chello without any guitar was just a cheap gimmick, but my god, I was wrong. For some reason this album has the greatest replay-ability of any CD I have ever listened to. Usually after numerous listens I will usually switch CD out of fear that I will eventually tire of it, but I have no feelings like that when I listen to Maahan. As far as a Genre, that easy, my Jewish friend calls it Jew Metal (aka Gold), myself I hear several Asian, African, Russian and several other influences. Another great appeal is the fact everybody around me thinks I'm either weird or ethnic when I listen to it,I have not gotten such a response of abhorrence from people since I started loving progressive rock many years ago, if you like the thought of this, buy it now. Another interesting fact about this band is that they have created perhaps the only progressive rock you can dance to.

First song and tital track isn't too special, while listening to it; I thought I'd see a New Orleans Funeral marching in front of my car. 2/5

The Second song Kyyhylly is perhaps one of my favorites, although I have many favorites on this album. It starts off by basically demonstration its uniqueness from anything else you have ever heard. Like much on this album it's quite dark compared to their previous works, which I absolutely adore. It is also one of the hardest songs on the album. 5/5

This song Helmi Otsalla is silly, very silly, fast and very silly. I would love to see someone dancing too it. It is somewhat similar to many of the songs these guys have made previously on their other albums with a unique dark and interesting twist at the end. Worth listening to just for the neat little tidbit at the end. 4/5

The next song Luiden Valossa, Naapurin talossa is another one enclosed by the deep growling chellos which fade in and out, mixed together with the piano, it has the darkest atmosphere of any other Alamaailman Vasarat album. It reminds me of something stalking or praying on someone in a dark forest. A few parts in it sort of remind me of something mystical, say like harry potter. 4/5

Wow, Huikeuden Lienio reminds me a lot of Hamarapuolella from their album Käärmelautakunta, and can be declared the most symphonic sounding song of the bunch. It starts fast and sort of jolly like many of their previous songs, but near ¼ into the song it quickly turns very dark again with the distorted chellos and clarinet. 5/5

Elaimet Huutaa is a very enjoyable listen for me; it begins by sounding quite sad and would fit in a war movie easily. 1/3 into the songs it really builds momentum almost suddenly and once again we are treated to the distorted chellos which I at this time have become completely in love with. This is really not all that hard but is one of my favorites on the album. Perfect 5/5

Hmm, the next song Lumeen Nukkuneet is not very beloved by me, I am somewhat glad I got the experience it, but 5 listens are usually enough and I find myself skipping it. Again, thought this song was taken from Live and Let Die during the New Orleans funeral. 3/5

Katkorapu starts off fast the very veracious as purely the most fuming song on the album and later calms down into a silly little ditty that is quite uplifting with its great "undistorted" string section. Not much to say, other than this was my favorite song at first, but upon further listening, while I love it just as much, it does not make my favorites. 5/5

Kaarme Toi Ruton Kaupunkin would be my favorite song if I was forced to pick. It like a few others is in the vein of Alamaailman Vasarat's previous work but has somewhat more substance than anything they have previously recorded. 5/5

Rooman Ruumiit is very hard, although it can't match the depths which some of their earlier work have gone. Nothing too special, although I do enjoy it. 4/5

Elukka really does not have much special going for it; once again, it's just sort of an afterthought, a way to end the album. 3/5

This is indeed one of the most memorable albums I have listened to in a while and deserves great success, but sadly as with every great album, I have great doubts that this will ever happen. If you don't like this album, feel free to email me, and send me a virus, I dare you.