HUMAVOID
DANNII LEIVERS
Lidless
NOBLE DEMON
Finnish progressive metallers forge their own tempestuous terrain
In an area where bands are brewing innovation on every corner, progressive metallers Humavoid give off a whiff of something special. On their debut the Finns have crafted an exciting maze of brutality, technical proficiency and dense groove, akin to being lost in a volatile landscape. Versatile vocalist Suvimarja Halmetoja has transitioned away from the clean vocals she employed on the band’s earlier run of singles, and her guttural rasps add a harder edge amid turbulent riffs and cold, crashing piano on The Breathing Method. Newcomers should head straight to the excellent Aluminum Rain, though, for a darkly atmospheric thrill that erupts in a blur of keys and a solo from jazz pianist Iiro Rantala. Humavoid’s sound will delight fans of Meshuggah and Jinjer, but they have added enough twists to make it their own.