I almost skipped past this track from Iridium due to the fact there was no bio or real information about the band. It happens too often, and I personally find it hard to listen to a new band’s music without knowing anything about them.
But then I got to thinking maybe that’s my problem, not theirs, and for me to deny a band even one new listener for a personal ailment would be pretty petty of me. Either that or it was a moment of weakness, but whatever the cause, the result is the same.
Let’s have a listen to the track Maaji.
A haunting intro sweeps the song into the sonic realm before the drums find voice, ushering in a menacing vocal accompaniment full of venom and spite.
A clean vocal shatters the impending doom and makes things all nice and sweet for a moment, but the arrival of those sinister harsh vocals comes just in time to restore balance amid new intensity.
This track could almost be separated into two separate songs with contrasting vocal divide, a clear case of light versus dark without threatening to come together in a united stance for metal.
But, as usual, I spoke too soon and the two vocalists do join forces and strangely the opposing styles envelop each other to harden the softer tones and soften the anger. It’s an effective coupling of vocal styles and thankfully the band doesn’t overplay their hand as the segregated vocals reclaim their position and go off to fight their own individual demons.
There’s a hint of electronics and strings popping up haphazardly throughout the song, and they offer glimpses of hope amid the carnage without putting too much of a dampener on things.
In reflection, there is a hell of a lot going on within Maaji which would reveal themselves more with each listen. But that’s not how I do my reviews, so things shall stay as they are, but I definitely plan to revisit this track when I have more time.
