I

Norwegian band KAUKASUS is something of a supergroup, at least in a progressive rock context, sporting musicians with backgrounds from bands such as Anglagard, Jaga Jazzist and The Opium Cartel. "I" is their debut album, released by the Norwegian label Autumnsongs Records in 2014.

It is always fascinating to come across a band that does explore landscapes that doesn't have well trodden paths all over them, and the dark, brooding and melancholic art rock-oriented escapades of Kaukasus are a good example of that. Layered keyboards, Mellotron, effects and rock-solid drums combined with bass and guitar to form subtly exotic, world music and psychedelic-tinged dark progressive rock on this album, with occasional lapses into subtly unnerving ambient escapades as the slightly disturbing icing on the cake. It is a compelling and well made production as well, and one to seek out for those who have a fascination for progressive rock of a dark yet not oppressive nature.