The Flashcards for Akusma

Akusma is an instrumental post-metal/rock band hailing from Ulyanovsk, Russia. According to the Metal Archives, the group's lineup consists of guitarists Kirill Makeev and Andrey Lysenko, drummer Ilya Krupin, and bassist Igor Ogarkov. So far, they have only released three EPs between 2014 and 2017, and their subsequent status remains unknown.

Akusma is just a small-time band, but they found their way to me fairly early on back in 2020/2021. This marks my first revisit to their discography, and quite possibly my last.

Akusma seems well-suited for fans of Pelican, Native Daughters, Russian Circles, Laden, and also From Oceans to Autumn.

Across the Face (2014)

70+/100

Across the Face is their debut EP, carrying a fairly heavy post-rock influence. "Tachypnea" itself holds a spiritual or psychedelic vibe through synth layers that feel relevant to bands like Godspeed You! Black Emperor. The heaviest riffs can be found in the middle and concluding sections of "Spatial Impression," as well as during the final minute of the title track. Yet, despite that weight, I can fully connect with the emotional undertones of "Spatial Impression."

Tracklist:

1. Spatial Imression

2. Tachypnea

3. Across the Face

Godslayer (2016)

70+/100

Their sophomore EP arrived two years later. The earth-churning solidity of their post-metal sound becomes more defined here, incorporating low-tuned, chugging breakdowns reminiscent of djent/metalcore. This is highly apparent on tracks like "Exultation of Madness." Only "The Dawn of New World" plays closer to a traditional post-rock style and feels like a safe haven. Another equally interesting moment is the melodic build-up that leads into dramatic tremolo picking and soaring leads on "The Path."

Tracklist:

1. The Dawn of New World

2. The Seeds of Doubt

3. Godslayer

4. Exultation of Madness

5. The Path

Land of the Red Suns (2017)

70+/100

The djent/metalcore aura is maintained for the heft of this third EP, sounding even more pronounced. Reverb effects seem deliberately applied to achieve a sensation of radiating light during the end of "Radiance." The other two tracks are just as solid, though I find myself at a loss for words to describe them, while the brief outro can easily be forgotten.

Tracklist:

1. Radiance

2. A Day That Will Not Come

3. Land of the Red Suns

4. Shadow of a Crow (Outro)

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