Metal has so many facets and – even if this release is more than untypical for Voices From The Darkside – this Russian band deserves to be mentioned here especially if you can life with light rain instead of a heavy thunderstorm from time to time. KAUAN are offering a unique hour of melancholy and nature bounded music and if the terminus Prophecy Metal would be available it would describe this music more than suitable. The five songs of their third release “Aava Tuulen Maa” are a mixture of Folk and minor Doom influences – now and than “modern” ANATHEMA are shining through – and KAUAN can be easily described as the Russian TENHI version. All songs are easily exceeding the 10 minutes mark but this music needs longer structures and songs like ‘Föhn’ with the hypnotic piano lines are in the position to fully capture the listener. Normally / naturally this music isn’t completely my cup of beer but KAUAN are offering a fantastic album (supported by a more than suitable booklet) and the perfect background music for the current white landscapes. So enjoy… www.firebox.fi, www.solitude-prod.com