Continuing the pattern of beauty over brutality from last month (So Hideous), this month’s winner is that of under-rated Russian/Ukrainian post-metal band Kauan. Just edging past the DR-approved Enforcer and their new live album, Sorni Nai takes the listener on a breathtaking journey that is equal parts epic and tragic. Based on a true, doomed expedition of hikers into the Djatlov Pass, there’s a large emotional weight to the album, even without a constant onslaught of heavy riffs. The sweeping atmosphere includes strings, chanting, and more in a soundtrack-worthy experience. Easy to see how it claimed our album of the month.
An excerpt from Kyle McGinn’s 8.5/10 review, which posted on November 27, 2015:
The band’s strongest element is that of the atmosphere. The beginning of the album beautifully opens with soundtrack-quality imagery, complete with some howling winds and chants alongside some very somber strings to really engage the listener from the get-go. Every movement seems deliberate and methodical, really taking the audience on an emotional adventure. There are highs and lows, and that’s only in the first 8-minutes of “Akva.”
Not at all a traditional metal release by any means, but don’t let that stop you from checking out Sorni Nai. Rare is it to find a band that can pull off so many emotions in one doom-ish landscape – joy, excitement, trepidation, sadness. Kauan can run the gamut while staying true to a vision that is entirely their own. Expressive and poignant stuff worth taking a trip with.
Read the entire review HERE