@new_dawn_of_prog

Onségen Ensemble – Awalaï, 2016,🇫🇮 Onségen Ensemble is a band from northern Finland. Their self-description states "multilevel and experimental fusion of postrock, jazz and stoner, mixed with touches of cinematic and flamboyant overtones".In 2005 and 2007 the Finnish Onségen Ensemble had released two short EPs and from them two songs made it onto this release. There are also four new songs. The result is quite guitar-heavy and oscillates in the field of tension between space rock, post rock and every now and then a hint of RIO - sometimes more in one direction, sometimes more in the other. On this album the band has found unique ways to explore the outer realms of the space, psychedelic and progressive rock genres. The group makes every effort to serve a supreme goal: the opening of horizons. This quest emerges from a fundamentally spiritual or mystical imprint, but beyond this evocation Awalaï really draws its strength and its power of attraction from its mysterious, elusive power. Essentially instrumental, built on rock or metal riffs as well as choirs, Awalaï is particularly atmospheric, exotic and visual; this music has an undeniably progressive aspect, each title serves an idea, a predefined line. The compositions are nice and floaty and every now and then an anchor is thrown out to give some more weight to the riffs. However, it is only with the second track, Kuuhanka, that an unusual element comes to the fore. What at first seems like a fairly standard combination of raw vocals and harder riffs, eventually results in a mesmerizing mantra, which, together with folky melodies, becomes a cosmic whole. The proggy space rock is provided with many effects, which provide a nice layering in the music. A remarkable album, to say the least. The diverse influences, which are also not often heard together, are perhaps not equally attentively interwoven everywhere, but nevertheless go together very well. Awalaï has his own personality and he manages the feat of creating a truly personal, mystical, intriguing and strange universe.