REVIEW: HamaSaari - Pictures

There are no other subgenres within alternative music quite like progressive rock and metal. There is a variety of factors that make this kind of music so unique. From the complex and unorthodox rhythmic patterns to the atmosphere some bands like to incorporate, prog is one of the most complex genres of music to pull of effectively. HAMASAARI are one of those bands who like to make their songs sound very grandiose on top of the ambience they emit, and on Pictures, the band deliver a record that is easy to follow along to, on top of creating a thrilling atmosphere throughout.

Pictures starts off with Below The Lightnings, a song that has a truly melancholic feel whilst

maintaining a very subtle doom rock vibe. The passages this opener has intertwines this atmospheric heaviness with that doom rock sound. This is especially noticeable upon hearing how the different verses are connected. The track builds up to an ending which includes its heaviest section, as well as its softest section, which is ultimately how it ends, with dual harmonization between the fantastic vocals performed by Jordan Jupin and an acoustic guitar. 

The following track, The Wild Ones, starts off gently, once again highlighting the vocals before the full wall of sound approaches. This gets repeated before the first bridge arrives. This musical passage is carried by the drums, as there are some epic fills here, and one of these fills leads into one of the most progressive moments on the album. A stripped back section with a folky sounding electric guitar is played as the drums play one of the more complex beats on this album whilst the vocals softly murmur the chorus vocals, right before the song ends with the full, heavy chorus being repeated to make sure it is drilled into your brain. 

Frames kicks off with a soft yet percussion driven first verse, which builds gradually. This is something that is not yet heard on Pictures. The chorus that follows is extremely catchy and is not overly challenging to follow for a prog metal song, which is a really nice touch, especially for someone who may not be as familiar with this complex kind of music. The bridge here is mellow and melancholic once again but features some more amazing drum fills and guitar riffs. When the vocals return, the track reaches its peak, both in terms of how heavy it is, but also in how emotional it sounds. The passion is well and truly felt here, which is why this is a must listen track for prog fans. 

The album finishes with a track that starts off by showcasing how good the HAMASAARI rhythm section is. Even though the guitars are still present, for the first couple of minutes almost, most of what you can hear beside the vocals, are the bass and drums. This sonic change continues after the chorus, as the second verse has an identical vibe to the first. The bridge on this track though is where things get even more unique. This is the most progressive part of the song, as the drums play a very bizarre beat, to carry the section forward until the final chorus plays. Closing the album in a proper progressive manner.

Overall, there are elements to love on this record, and musically each member of the band shines at some point, but Pictures is an album that seems to be designed for people who are trying to get into progressive metal. This is especially noticeable because of the fact that the music is easier to navigate and predict. Another predictable aspect of this album is the fact that the majority of tracks here follow this soft, to loud, to soft structure which makes the songs predictable, even though some of them are fantastic. 

If you love your prog, this will be a fairly easy and enjoyable listen, and newbies to this specific music style will easily be able to follow each track. But with that being said, progressive metal can be more complex than this, and that is the beauty of Pictures, because it is so easy to follow, time flies when you listen to it, and not every band who plays this extremely technical style of music can say that they have achieved that. 

Score: 7/10

Pictures will be released on 23rd January 2026 via Klonosphere Records.

Words: Itay Gilad

Photos: Regine Cadillac