FOL NAÏS

If you're not familiar with ni they are a very heavy band. Most of the music is instrumental with some occasional screams to keep you on your toes. They make the heaviest King Crimson song sound like a baby's lullaby. Their lineup has remained the same since their first EP release in 2010. For me, this has been a difficult listen. They have some massive riffs, lots of noise, excellent counterpoint, and they are experimenting more, such as the calming intro to "Zerkon". Or the dissonant, gloomy, and eerie intro of "Triboulet Part 1". If that sounds good to you then this is an album not to miss. "Berdic" is my favorite song. Overall, it is mellow for ni standards but it builds to a controlled chaotic mess of energetic madness. The drums and bass on this tune are incredibly tight while the two guitars are weaving and slashing away soundscapes that are not of this world. This is what makes this band unique.

As I mentioned, this is more experimental and darker than their other releases and that could be a plus or minus depending on your preferences. However, what is missing for me is the playfulness the songs from their previous albums had. 3.5 stars.