I’m still working through some of last year’s releases, so forgive me if I’m not on the forefront of new music. But if I’m writing about, then it’s worth checking out.
This is my first time listening to Maha Sohona. A Dark Place is a heavy and emotional laden album. Front to back, a great use in dynamics. Steady rhythms with a hearty heft. Vocals are on point, and have an identity all their own.
There’s great variety in the sound and usage of the guitar. That dirty heavy chord sound pummels through, and is switched to more clean note picking when the mood of the song shifts. Use of effects are subtle and well blended where used to emphasize portions of the songs.
The bass plays through nicely. A great backstop to what the guitar is doing. Sometimes following along, but also doing its own thing at the right time to lock into that rhythm and hold the pocket. Seems to have held to a clean tone throughout, but I could have missed it because it blends so well into the music.
The vocals are right up my alley. Semi-emotional and spot in with the tone as it mixes well with the instrumentation. I dig what I hear. Some songs have doubled vocals, which adds to the textures of the music, and in some areas provides a nice harmony.
The drums are steady and consistent. Probably the most important part of drumming. It’s like a metronome, but in no way feels robotic, that pocket is held. Dynamics are also on display here. Thunderous when needed, and pulled back when the mood is mellow.
A Dark Place is an emotional journey that pulls you through that dark place and brings you out the other side. Where that is, maybe Maha Sohona will let us know and guide us along again.
slow draw is... 