One thing you can say about Norway’s Kanaan is they always keep you guessing. Downpour is perhaps their heaviest record yet. Not their fastest or hardest but it’s just heavy. Sludgy basslines drive this record along with massive drumming and heavily distorted guitar. Also, in what now seems like a definite trend is the use of electronics in three piece bands to add extra layers of nuance. Kanaan has been known to venture into jazzy influences but not this time. This is more of a proto prog metal effort if not straight up hard rock relying less on the jazzy and psych technical elements and focusing on power and force. “Amazon” will definitely keep you head banging while “Downpour” pulls out the 70’s guitar noodling before going full throttle. “Orbit” looms large before winding down with a major freakout. “Solaris Part 1 and 2” starts off a bit more exploratory in a type of kosmische mode before kicking in the over drive. If you are a fan of the heavier side of Kanaan this one isn’t going to let you down. For me this one worked really well in the car for a roadtrip.
Released by Jansen Records and from the Band’s Bandcamp page
