Umea’s depressing surroundings leads to no pleasingly whimsical and slyly mischievous feel good tunes. Khoma are certainly no fussier performers than Cult Of Luna, the fussing fits the music character and serves a purpose. The music is like an insatiable thirst for life, it’s a bundle of nerves, some a tad more frayed than others, mostly very subdued, complex and enthralling (more than 50 minutes worth).

Roadrunner records haven’t gone for the feel-good pop punk (Fall Out Boy), or more happy days metal (Bullet For My Valentine) with potential hits. However, If Khoma musters enough promotional and marketing oomph from them than they will let concertgoers know. The music it most reminds you of is Team Sleep and Dredg, with some Radiohead and Frantic Bleep for good measures.

Khomo’s debut “Tsunami” -limited to a 1000 I believe- is something you won’t easily find for a decent price made, but the band has long harbored a desire to turn the story into a feature. The months of writing, rewriting and, no doubt, discussions, have resulted in a loosely structured, episodic soundscape, which is not exactly explosive sonic sodomy, but focused hearted minimalism and all twisted from within the soul. The record also shows his habit of emotive swaying and the background sounds flare in Devo-style, but collectively, these snapshots add up to a musical telling portrait of soothing climaxes.

The record is wonderfully evocative and pleasing and is a journey through the motions, time and several other places.

89/100

Trikke.