REVIEW: KAZEA - I, Ancestral

KAZEA is not a band that easily fits into any single genre box. The Swedish trio, formed by former Orochen members Jonas Mattsson and Rasmus Lindblom alongside drummer Daniel Olsson (Hellsongs) crafts a sound that is both expansive and deeply personal. Blending elements of post-rock, neofolk, and sludge metal, their music is an evocative journey through heritage, pain, and self-reflection. Their debut album, I, Ancestral, is a bold statement, immersing listeners in an atmospheric and cathartic experience that lingers long after the final note fades.

From the outset, I, Ancestral establishes its haunting tone. The album opens with 'With a Knife', a short yet gripping track that layers a spoken-word passage over sparse instrumentation. Chains rattle in the background, a sound that will echo throughout the album, adding a sense of unease. As the song progresses, a gentle guitar melody intertwines with the speech, punctuated by the occasional cymbal hit, creating a hypnotic rhythm. Midway through, the guitar distortion shifts, intensifying the atmosphere and

seamlessly fusing the speech with the instrumental elements. This interplay between spoken word and music is a defining characteristic of I, Ancestral, lending it a cinematic quality.

llowing this eerie introduction, 'Pale City Skin' plunges deeper into KAZEA’s sonic world. The track continues the rhythmic pulse of the opener before erupting into heavier, more immersive instrumentation. The vocals blend effortlessly into the mix, their presence both commanding and ethereal. A sudden shift in guitar distortion once again forces the listener to recalibrate, momentarily disrupting the flow before settling into a new, equally compelling groove. KAZEA excels at these dynamic shifts, keeping the audience engaged and slightly off-balance.

The album reaches an early emotional peak with 'Trenches'. Opening with a melancholic guitar passage, the song sets a sombre tone before gradually building in intensity. The dual vocals - one clean, one screamed - create a layered effect, amplifying the song’s sense of desperation and grief. The screams in the final section feel especially raw, as if ripped straight from the depths of anguish. The way the screamed vocals echo behind the clean ones adds an internalized quality, as if voicing an unspoken pain. This track stands out as one of the album’s most emotionally gripping moments.

At the album’s midpoint, 'A Strange Burial' revisits the spoken-word approach introduced in 'With a Knife'. The return of the chains, accompanied by slow, deliberate guitar work, reinforces KAZEA’s ability to craft immersive storytelling through music. The song’s pacing encourages contemplation, inviting listeners to absorb the weight of the album’s themes rather than rushing through them.

Then comes 'Wailing Blood', where the energy picks up again. A steady, rhythmic drumbeat, almost march-like, propels the song forward as another brief speech plays. The track balances an engaging intensity with an underlying sense of tension. While it may not be the most standout moment on the album, it provides a necessary shift in pacing, preventing the record from becoming too steeped in its own darkness.

The final stretch of the album is where KAZEA truly shines. 'The North Passage' offers a brooding, slow-building atmosphere before leading into the album’s climax - 'Seamlessly Woven'. Clocking in at just over seven minutes, the closing track is a masterclass in pacing and composition. The inclusion of ambient sounds, such as the chirping of crickets, adds to the song’s naturalistic and meditative feel. The vocals glide smoothly over the instrumentation, and the introduction of a delicate piano melody enhances the song’s mournful tone. As the album winds to a close, there’s a profound sense of reflection, as if the listener has journeyed through a deeply personal experience alongside the band.

With I, Ancestral, KAZEA has crafted a debut album that is as immersive as it is haunting. Their ability to blend heavy, crushing instrumentation with moments of eerie stillness makes for a listening experience that feels cinematic and emotionally charged. The incorporation of spoken word, ambient soundscapes, and dynamic vocal interplay ensures that the album

remains unpredictable, never settling into easy formulas.

Drawing inspiration from bands like 'Wovenhand', 'Cult of Luna', and 'Neurosis', KAZEA’s sound is a testament to their willingness to explore the boundaries of heavy music. Whether through the mournful beauty of 'Seamlessly Woven' or the raw intensity of 'Trenches', I, Ancestral leaves a lasting impact. As the band themselves have hinted, this is only the beginning of their journey. If this album is any indication, KAZEA is poised to carve out a unique and compelling space in the metal landscape.

Score: 9/10

I, Ancestral was released on March 21st 2025 via Suicide Records.

Words: Jason De Mendonca

Photos: KAZEA