Personal confession: I've been on a deep dive into the colder realms of ambient "post" music as of late, possibly due to the winter season or just the state of mind currently. As a result, I have found a treasure trove of relatively little-known faith-based bands that have been consistently turning out quality music. Leonov is a perfect example of this, hailing from Oslo, Norway. Describing their sound as eerie and cinematic, the band manages to toe the fine line between your standard post-rock and self-ascribed "celestial doom." This interesting term caught my attention even before I listened to any of their material and had me wondering if there were any parallels between another atmospheric doom metal outfit called Kardashev that I had been listening to some lately. There is a definite argument to be made for this comparison, yet there are extreme differences as well as Leonov rests comfortably inside the thematic waves of melancholiac leads and ambient ethereal vocals as opposed to the harsher elements of a band like Kardashev. Its these elements that work greatly in Leonov's favor and set the stage for the emotional rollercoaster that "Procession" offers.

Album opener "Rem" slowly creeps into life with quiet contemplative guitars that lay a foundation of foreboding that simmers just below the surface for most of the rest of the album. It's an instrumental track that is the calm before the encroaching storm and inevitable heaviness that appears at the end of the second track, "Amer," in the form of harsh vocals that contrast the airy cleans of lead singer Tåran Reindal. It's these small details that do well in separating the band from counterparts in the scene and keeps them from falling into the trap of monotony, which is always a danger in any music of this form.

Other standout musical moments can be found in the doom metal wall of riffs that open "Sora," and the interesting drum and grimy bass work toward the end of the title track that lend a more full-on metal feel to the offering. It's a welcome addition as it adds a sort of cathartic break to the doomy atmosphere which is almost palatably heavy. It's this tension that piles on top of itself that, even with its relatively digestible run time of forty-one minutes, can almost be too much for a complete listen through. This critique aside, it's also the album's strength; the slow constant build of tension highlights the eventual worshipful release through Tåran's monotone vocals and quiet guitar to close out the album on "Son."

One of the bigger surprises for me was the addition of lyrics as many bands in this space allow the music to tell the story and the listener to form said story on their own. I'm a huge fan of purely instrumental music, but I also appreciate when a band offers lyrical substance to aid in the journey that makes up a post-metal album. "Amer," for example, offers melancholic lines such as, "we are all the same/ gleaming fragrance fades in/ we are all the same made of concrete or sand/ but strength comes through Your name." These prayerful moments are echoed later in "Sora," "everything fades but Elohim holds… I saw You in the eyes, of a fading ending life… sorrow ends your pain will not succeed." Sometimes bands in this scene shy away from bolder statements of faith in their musical offerings, and as much of the west becomes post-Christian, this would be very easy for a band like Leonov to do, and it makes me appreciate album closer "Son" even more. Taken from scripture, the line, "to us a child is born/ to us a Son is given," offers a glimpse of hope and faith in the face of the darkness and despair that we all encounter in life.

Overall, Leonov does a lot of interesting things with "Procession." It's at once atmospheric doom metal, while being meditative post-rock, and the combination works well despite its overt thematic heaviness. Finding that balance wasn't an easy thing to do, and a few times that works against the overall appeal of the record, but that's a minor complaint. Though not for everybody, Leonov will be a band that I find myself returning to and watching closely, and I would encourage fans of post-metal/doom/rock to give them a chance.

- Review date: 1/10/24, written by Matt Baldwin of Jesusfreakhideout.com

 Record Label: Vinter Records
 Album length: 7 tracks: 40 minutes, 43 seconds
 Street Date: November 24, 2023
 Buy It: AmazonMP3

1. Rem (2:24)
2. Amer (8:05)
3. Procession (5:22)
4. Sora (6:00)
5. Mesos (6:17)
6. Oreza (6:24)
7. Son (6:13)