IWKC: Hladikarna

IWKC (I Will Kill Chita) is another Russian band to take up some of my time recently. My eyes and ears have very much been open to Russian progressive minded music these last few weeks and it continues with Hladikarna, which I believe is the band’s fourth album released in 2017.

This is an interesting album, probably more in line with post rock and metal than progressive but there are moments when the band gets a little more creative with the tempos and rhythms although droning instrumentation and repeating riffs is predominant. There are lots of cool parts with hand drums, cello and unusual sounds and noises that should keep the open minded music fan focused. The riffs are laced with fuzz and feedback on the album’s first track “Kastenkampf�. The repetitive nature of the guitar puts this one squarely in the stoner rock/metal category. On “Samadhi� the band’s playful, creative force comes through in the form of interesting guitar and cool sounds/noises. A slow guitar line begins invoking an ominous and slightly unsettling feel. I like the use of hand drums here and when the music gets a bit heavier more world influences unfold taking us to the Middle East and India. A pretty addictive chord progression highlights the progressive “Emerald River� and the keyboards are more up front. The background wordless vocals have an exotic quality and are very well done. A mix of exotic folk, Floyd and metal. Metallic guitar chords, delicate arpeggios and wonderful synths highlight the melodic title track and the exotic vocalizations, trippy effects and keyboard solo as well as heavy guitar make “Youth� another outstanding and varied listen.

Hladikarna is just an excellent rock album, a diverse listen that should satisfy a wide range of listeners of progressive rock, post metal, stoner and probably a few other genres I didn’t mention. Highly recommended.

Track Listing:
1. Kastenkampf
2. Samadhi
3. Emerald River
4. Hladikarna
5. Youth
6. Five Big Chillums
7. Land Of Stupas
8. Opium Des Volkes

Added: February 28th 2019
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Band @ Bandcamp
Hits: 784
Language: english

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