I feel like I say it a lot but for me France is one of the finest producers of post-metal in the last 20 years. While the US, Sweden and Belgium claim the big guns France has continually produced a string of bands which can take those influences and meld them into another fabric. Already this year HØLLS has released a cracker and now it is the turn of BÅKÜ with Soma. Following on from the 2023 self-titled EP the band expands on the main songs there to provide five varied and dramatic post-metal based epics. Not only does BÅKÜ play post-metal, it masters it in all its forms and flavours.
Each of Opposite 1 to 5 varies from 8 to 12+ minutes in length and it does so without an overt use of repetition. On ‘Opposite 1’ you get the atmosphere of Hundred Year Old Man whilst ‘Opposite 5’ breaks from the original hardcore of Amenra to the distinctive chugging and pitching riff. ‘Opposite 4’ has throes of Codespeaker and even synth hints of The Moth Gatherer but while all these reference points are apparent there is never a sense of the influence being worn on the sleeve.
When it is considered how long and varied the songs are, Soma should be considered quite the achievement. After 54 minutes I never once felt like I was hearing something they had put out before, if they fell on a good groove or section then it wasn’t worn through or re-visited. I also experienced quite a first for a post-metal album as ‘Opposite 3’ manages to fuse a slow droning post-metal intro with d-beat drumming which hits like a gentle meandering stream suddenly turning into white water rapids with a waterfall not too far in the distance. Each vast track is held together perfectly and the journey is truly spectacular when it is given the time, attention and respect it is due.
Soma has everything and then some, drifting Cult of Luna passages, vocals that rasp from deep within, shades of light and dark, atmosphere, weight and heaviness and a deeply disturbing vocal sample about the dangers of a lack of timely quality sleep. This is a monstrous debut and one that all fans of post-metal will find something to enjoy.
