Release date: 26th June 2020
Baikal is the debut album from experimental/prog/instrumental outfit Asian Death Crustacean (great name, right?!) and it’s an enjoyable bit of work that really draws you in. It can sometimes be a little difficult to fully connect with instrumental albums – more often than not it tends to be vocals that serve as the main driving force, so a testament to good songwriting is being able to craft a musical journey without relying on one specific musical element.
Split into six parts to form one longer piece, Baikal takes the listener on an engaging journey through numerous different styles and ideas whilst still sounding completely coherent and together. Additionally, it also sounds so fresh on each subsequent listen – I keep picking up on new intricacies and melodies every time I hear it.
For the most part, the album has a fairly ambient tone, whilst wandering into other genres such as prog, post-rock, metal and psych. As no surprise to anyone, my personal highlight is the more doom-led fifth part, which has a slightly heavier vibe to it than the other tracks. The heavier feel gives the piece an almost-hypnotic vibe, drawing you in and getting under your skin.
As a whole, a very solid listen. Make sure you check it out because you certainly won’t be disappointed.
9/10
