Review: Karmamoi - Odd Trip (2013)

Artist: Karmamoi
Album: Odd Trip
Year: 2013
Label: Crisalide Music

Review: Kev Rowland

Rate: 

Thoughts: Karmamoi came into being in 2008, when Daniele Giovannoni and Serena Ciacci decided that they needed a musical project that could express their personalities and their concept of music.

They actually have a stated musical view of what they are to achieve, and that the band is “Where artistic endeavour, melody, electronic elements and rock distortions could cohabit and find a stable equilibrium, in an immediately recognizable sound compounded of passion and aggression.” So there. These five Italians  have just been accepted into the ‘Heavy’ subgenre on www.progarchives.com, but they could easily have found their way into crossover as there is a whole mix of styles going on here, and at times it sounds almost as if a different band has recorded each song.

They can move from hard rock with progressive elements to something much more Floydian at the drop of a hat, and then can move into areas more reflective of Tool. But, there is always a sense of real purpose, that they know where they are, where they want to be, and are more than happy to take a non-direct route to get there. It is an interesting and intriguing piece of work that captures the listener and brings them into their world. Thoughtful and delicate, constructed and imaginative, it is hard to believe that this is only their second album as this is a very mature piece of work indeed.

They have made their single ‘Labyrinth’ available free of charge through Bandcamp, and the album itself is available for only 4 GBP so why not give them a try? They also have a website (in English) HERE.

The band was included in our Podcast #23 and you can listen the track 'Labyrinth' HERE.