Review: SIKASA – Matter Earth

Style: Progressive Metal, Post Metal (mixed vocals)
Recommended for fans of: The Ocean, Psychonaut, Cult of Luna
Review by: Nick
Country: Croatia
Release date: 5 July, 2022

Coming from a low-effort Dream Theater knockoff in my last review, I know that nearly anything I picked was gonna impress me. I just didn’t think I’d be as impressed as I have been by SIKASA. This Croatia based group comes in with a beautiful blend of progressive metal and post metal in a matter that I haven’t really seen before. Songs like “The Edge of Event” and “Mokosh” bring in some international elements from various worldwide genres (reggae and throat singing respectively). “Where Giants Walk” is another example that starts with a beautiful orchestral piece almost reminiscent of moments in The Ocean‘s Pelagial.

While these interesting stylings keep the listening engaging, they don’t at all aid in the development of the tracks. One of the key features of the whole post rock/metal genre is that the songs grow and evolve naturally throughout. Every single change, bob, and weave in each track play into each other. Unfortunately, this isn’t something that SIKASA manages to achieve. Perhaps it’s the result of someone genuinely having a new take on the genre and it’s just growing pains, but the fact that the songs feel underdone is something that shouldn’t be overlooked.

A prime example of an undercooked song would be the aforementioned “Mokosh”. The throat singing and jawdropping use of percussion makes for a cool little track, but it ends so abruptly without having this badass soundscape evolve into something truly memorable. It may have worked as an interlude into a track that plays on the melodies and style, but instead it just kinda fizzles out and that’s just the end of the album. No development or anything, just an awesome possibility not fully realized.

Overall, I would recommend this album to anybody who is a fan of post metal, given you are okay with vocals. This one is for the completionists and the curious, not the newcomers. Keep in mind that this is absolutely not an insult, rather a compliment. They have a unique style, I just don’t think it’s been fully utilized yet. With subsequent releases we could see this group hit a stride and fully realize their potential. For now, however, it isn’t a bad start at all.

Recommended tracks: The Edge of Event, Where Giants Walk
You may also like: Hippotraktor, Dordeduh
Final verdict: 7/10

Related links: Bandcamp | Spotify | Facebook | Instagram | Metal-Archives

Label: Independent

SIKASA is:
– Bruno Longfield (guitars/vocals/additional instruments)
– Toma Cukrov (keyboards)
– Ante Juričev-Martinčev (bass)