Koma
Tsunami

Strange, really strange, yet it seems to me that "Tsunami" by the Swedish band Koma has gone completely unnoticed by the Italian public, while the rest of the world has been enjoying it since 2004. I say strange because the Scandinavian act is composed of members from groups that are certainly not negligible such as Scared, The Perishers, Cult Of Luna, and Plastic Pride. And most importantly, it's a work that is simple yet extraordinarily intriguing. In fact, I'll say more: it's as simple as it is beautiful (forgive the banal term, but it's the one that does it the most justice).
Simple because it features a catchy and not particularly sophisticated formula, which finds its strength in the splendid refrains; beautiful for its refinement in compositions; intriguing because it moves between territories seemingly irreconcilable with each other, blending them into a post-rock that lives on its own light, enormously distant from the sound that the band's nationality might lead us to think.

First of all, the lesson of Deftones is undoubtedly the one that has been most assimilated, albeit with a totally personal reworking. Sure, there are moments when singer Jam Jamte winks at Chino Moreno, or some riffs like in "Not In My Name" that seem directly taken from "Around The Fur"; however, the secret of Koma is to unite these elements in a proposal that couldn't be further from the nu-metal sound. Another reference band: the latest The Cure. Don't believe it? Listen to "Like Coming Home" (probably my favorite song from the album) and tell me if "Bloodflowers" doesn't come to mind… Pulsating bass, calm and soothing melodies that join the vocal depth and electric walls of sulfuric guitars. Music for traveling, perhaps to be listened to on a train, able to captivate at first bite. There's no time to sit there thinking if at that moment they're copying, to search for the hidden cliché, or to be hypercritical. It's music that just wins you over: that's its strength.

Other territories: those of post-hardcore, or at least its more dreamy and harmonious side. Listen to the wonderful ending of "One Of Us Must Hang", like sound waves rippling, and you'll understand what I mean. A true ocean of emotions.
Last note: the superb performance of Jamte, a real ace up Koma's sleeve and a true backbone of their music, with a voice capable of enveloping the senses.
Probably their proposal will not be appreciated by many, who might not understand it. In any case, for those who manage to get carried away, "Tsunami" knows how to capture the heart and soul.
A crashing wave of angst, desperation, anger and beautiful love says their official website… and indeed this is the soul of Koma. You won't find it hard to love them.