ALBUM REVIEW: Penumbra – Khaidian

There’s always a sense of potential in the new year, that means that start of something exciting. To kick off January right, KHAIDIAN release their debut album Penumbra. Promising a fusion of heavy progressive metal, along with electronica and even some dupstep beats, can this complex meshing of genres streamline into something special?

Our journey begins with Pearls Before Swine, which is brimming with interesting dynamics. The low chugging of the bass is the driving force of the track with familiar djent feel that has become more and more popular. The overlay of electronica and old school drum and bass is an interesting take, but doesn’t pack quite as much punch as it could. Dominion is a continuation to explore the unusual rhythmic elements of KHAIDIAN. Vocally, it’s not a bad performance, and although feels a little dulled down in the opening minutes, a little more in the way of aggression or tension brings this track from gentle head bop to real throwdown track. It’s an unusual experimentation into the more techno/electronica movements brings out something fresh, and it’s when the entire songs time signature shifts back and forth that you really get a sense that there’s something fresh going on here.

Third track Trigger The Landslide is where things really turn up. Biting kick drums and hissing symbols are the driving force, while the guitars start to free themselves from the stereotypical tropes of the djent sound. The vocals have a grunge feel the likes of ALICE IN CHAINS or NIRVANA, that musicality puts this track above the rest. The synth feels almost symphonic in places, demonstrating that KHAIDIAN have plenty to play with their future. Thrive dives down into a super weird mix of drum and bass and progressive metal; It’s excellent. There’re elements of electronica that shouldn’t work, that feel much more like an EDM song, but the fusion with the waving motion of the guitars is superb. A very unusual track that really won’t do it for some, it’s an ambitious movement into something exiting we’ve not seen before.

Next up, we are introduced to the sensual sounds of droning ambience, before the dooming sub bass and drums take over for Sense Of The Spherical. KHAIDIAN in their element here as some interesting movements, coupled with the vocal style is quite impactful. There’s a mixture of chiptune, VOLA, THE PRODIGY and SYSTEM OF A DOWN, and it’s solidly enjoyable!

KHAIDIAN are truly in their groove by this point in the album, as Evasion batters, the stabbing rhythm is overlaid with sensual vocals and crowded with the hum of electronica and dirty basslines washes over you. Listen out for the very distinct cut of mid way, where the programming takes more of a forefront, and making the chaotic measure ever harder to resist. There’s a tonne of clever shifts and demonstrates real control and scope. It’s so abundantly clear that KHAIDIAN have a huge career ahead of them.

Dramatic Professions Of Martyrdom is potentially the most brutal of the songs on this album. Blast beats and fills to rival the likes of some big names in the metal and the D&B scenes, (we’re talking Mario Duplantier and KJ Sawka levels of energy here) utterly dominate. With so much going on, it might seem as if this could be a mess. However, it’s a perfect storm of new ideas and is another demonstration of skill, weaving between the heavy and the atmospheric.

You might count that as the true end of the record, as we’re treated to a full on drum and bass remix of Sense Of The Spherical as our finale. The tempo is up, as are the variants of sounds, most of which are completely new to the song comparative to the original. It’s interesting, although will probably be skipped by those looking more for the progressive, guitar driven sounds. This is for those who enjoy more of programming and mixing side of what KHAIDIAN are about.

While Penumbra is a slow starter, KHAIDIAN really find their feet when they let loose and feel free to explore the depths of their influences, while keeping an authentic sound. It’s a fine line to walk, but for the most part Penumbra works well, showing a massive amount of talent, and that KHAIDIAN have a wealth of avenues to explore in the future. Overall, with so much energy, diversity and influences, it’s hard for anyone with an interest in the future of metal not to be interested in the direction exciting new bands like KHAIDIAN.

Rating: 8/10

Penumbra is set for release on January 18th via Armalyte Industries. 

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