Finnish Mother Susurrus’ Maahaavaa is a freightening combination of doom, sludge, drone, post and psych rock. From start to finish, the overall atmosphere and feel of the album is there: dark, angry and electrifying. The production on Maahhaavaa is dense and overwhelming, and I mean that in a good way, but still leaves room to breathe. There are 5 tracks herein, and 50 minutes total running time, so you know you're going to get some epically lengthy songs here. The single-note melody lines are often either harmonized or have countermelodies under them, which keeps the music interesting most of the time. Tempos are slowed down the point of excruciating heaviness; every note hanging for what seems like an heroic eternity, Maahaavaa is a record of monstrous weight and considerable musical content that is very likely to be worth your time, From the first track, you really know that you are listening to something special.. When I first heard the song “Superposition”, I was totally and instantly blown away by the sheer scope and intensive depth of this band. “Scopolamine” tends to lean heavily on the slower pace of things which actually gives the heavier and harsher Isis-esque parts more impact. Rhythms that drag you into their orbit and refuse to let go, melody lines that carry the best track “Ylösnousemus” through their catchy sludgy paces without question.
If the debut from these guys is this good, one wonders what the future might hold for them? And above all the perfect band for the next Roadburn!