Doom metal is the subgenre that embodies tragedy, theatricality and grandiose to their full extent and for that reason is the most emotional and moving heavy music that the author has listened to. Subjectivity aside, Kauan is the type of band that mixes the grandiose of doom with folk elements, classical strings (violin and viola), keys and a vocal performance that varies from growls to clean, male to female, singing to narration, making their craft more mellow, romantic and melancholic resulting in a deep and multilayered personality of a band.
I’ve never heard of them before,
even though they have published 4 albums since 2007 and ‘Muistumia’ is a
re-recording of six main tracks from previous releases along with one new track,
the opener ‘Unsoi’. The main characteristics of this release are the doomy
heavy riffs that I love and an orchestration that reminds me of prog-rock and
atmospheric metal albums that were being released in the mid 90’s.
The lyrics are in Russian and
Finnish, which on the one hand makes it incomprehensible but on the other hand
it offers an exotic listening experience, leaving the listener to create his
own imagery and landscapes filled with snow and ice into a world unknown but
interesting and adventurous.
Walking into a secluded tavern
amidst the Tundra with only a few farmers and hunters gathered around the
heated pots, drinking vodka and discussing about their daily routine and
problems, the great winter that destroyed the corps a long time ago and stories
of their ancestors when they came in this inhumane place to settle down and
build their small village.
The hunters telling of tales of
this one hunter, that after a successful game, came upon a great brown bear
just a few miles north and had to fight not only for his life but for the lives
of his wife and children, since they were waiting for him to bring them food. The
name of that hunter was Kuu and he stands as the mythic founder of their
ancient village.
This is a story that I just made
up, as to give an example of the imageries created in the consciousness of the
writer while experiencing ‘Muistumia’. Whenever that happens, especially when
it is done in such a welcoming and accessible way by the artists, I am more
than pleased. I have just found some new friends from up north. Friends who
happen to have the ability of storytelling through music and I consider this album,
not only a successful release but an important for them as well. There is
talent here and I wish for them the best, the future holds. I will be
listening.
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