HADAL SHERPA

Hadal Sherpa hail from Vantaa, Finland and they were formed in 2013 but their debut (and only album so far) was released in 2017. The mastermind of the band is Vesa Pasanen (Guitar, bouzouki, keyboards, percussion) who wrote all the songs which are purely instrumental. Forget about intricate guitar or keyboard solos or jammings to flesh out the songs, this is only actual compositions. From the get-go, the flute enters the picture providing the leading melodies. When the guitar takes over, I can distinguish some eastern influences on the playing through some microtones. The first part of Nautilus attracts the interest of the listener and the second part is one of my favourite intrumental songs, ever. Sublime melodies (on the flute, the guitar, the keyboards), the song goes by in a flash. By now I am already fired up but Chafa Azeno that follows is a bit too ethnic for my taste. I wonder where Vesa Pasanen got these influences from, given that they are too eastern. Sometimes the music slips into the Surf genre, too. Another negative element, to my ears, is that sometimes a melody is repeated way too often and this song, in particular, from the 5th minute has outstayed its welcome. Having said all of the above, it is still a song I never skip. Ikaros restores my interest with its airy, flowing feeling it emanates. Then comes Heracleion and by now I strongly suspect a connection to Greece. This time the guitar is responsible to bring out the melodies. Everything goes fine until on the 7th minute the ethnic influences are introduced once again. Fortunately the band recaps the initial feel shortly after and the damage is not much. The group shifts gears on Marracesh which is heavier and groovier and on Abyss the music goes along with the title and it is darker and more mysterious. The bass lines play a key role to that and the bluesy guitar accompanied by the hammond work wonders. Halfway the song becomes increasingly livelier providing the much- desired diversity, but on Black Elk the ethnic and Surf influences are back which is too much for my taste and it is my least favourite of the album. Perhaps it is also that we are already one hour in and I get tired more easily. This is another thought that occurred to me, the album would be much better if it was a bit more succint.

Conclusion: It's one of the times that I'd like to use 3,5 stars. I really can't make up my mind if it is a "Good, but not essential release" or if it is an "excellent addition to any prog collection", but I can tell you this: if the absence of vocals isn't a nuisance to you and if you are in for some ethnic elements, you should definitely check this album out. The boys have come up with some really good music.

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