(Edition Records)
The Finnish quintet of drummer Olavi Louhivuori, trombonist Ilmari Pohjola, guitarist Lasse Sakara, bassist Lasse Lindgren and cellist Osmo Iknonen create a compelling sound world which is highly distinctive and has a cinematic feel to it.
In this case the mental film to which it acts as a soundtrack should be set in a legendary world deep inside the planet, as suggested by the album title. It’s a place of drama and a certain dark melancholy, but not a bleak scenario.
Of course, it’s not just those instruments that make the sounds – there is a lot of electronic manipulation and embellishment, as well as the use of their voices, creating a dense, multi-layered sonic experience.
The end result may sound more rooted in a post-rock or alternative musical world but for all I know the process to get there may be an improvisational jazz one. Whatever one chooses to label it, it’s a strong and characterful creation.
Categories: CD review
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