Band:	Osoka
Album:	Osoka
Style:	Post-metal
Release date:	May 20, 2013
A review by:	BitterCOld

01. Illjuzija Mertva
02. 13000
03. Klassiki
04. Otec
05. Osvobozhdenie
06. Mantra
07. Reka

Rostov On Don, Russia's Osoka are primarily a post-metal band that incorporate a little sludge muscle and a good helping of drone chill. Osoka matches early Jesu-like plodding development with sung-chanted hypno vocals.

Rostov Om Don?

As the album kicks off with "Illjuzija Mertva", an 11 minute immersion in their droning post-metal sonic approach which slowly draws the listener in like a soak in a nice warm bath. By the end of the song you're feeling nice, comfy, and relaxed.

We're off to a great start.
Osoka continues along with another epic, "13000", which is the approximate duration of the song. (Ok, you got me, it is merely 14 minutes.) "13000" continues with a droning post-metal sonic journey which slowly renders the listener inert like sitting in a nice, piping hot Jacuzzi after a half dozen beers. Nice. Comfy. Relaxed.

Oh. If the prior paragraph sounds similar to the one above it, well, it's because the songs sound mighty similar. And continue to do so from start to finish.

As much as I enjoyed the approach and started off digging it, as the album wore on my patience wore down. The unrelenting continuation of the same approach without something to mix it up started grating away at me. It's not that I grew to hate the album or anything, but it overstayed its welcome. I just got bored/annoyed and wanted it to end. An issue which did not diminish with repeated listens.

Normally I mock people who find slower, entrancing music boring because it doesn't have any car chases or explosions. This album probably could have used one just to shake the listener out of the lethargy? unsettle them so that the formula works again.

I like the approach, definitely some potential, but maybe mix it up a little bit and the sequel will be well enough.