Spectreview: Jambinai – ONDA

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Jambinai have been blowing up in their home country of South Korean, with a whole bunch of high-value opportunities to showcase their serrated, cinematic post metal. Think band’s like Mogwai and Godspeed You Black Emperor, but with traditional South Korean instruments adding a distinct Eastern tinge. Their newest album, ONDA, may be an attempt to find even greater success overseas, in addition to further augmenting their sound. The direct comparisons to other post-rock acts are definitely there, in the epic peaks and valleys of the 13-minute “In the Woods” and the emo screams of “Sun. Tears. Red,” but the screech of the haegeum and the trill of the piri lend an even finer transportive element to their music. It’s the kind of album that beats you down, but not constantly, allowing chances to catch breath (like in the close-mic’d prayers of “Small Consolation”) and build tension (the muted lead into brutal opener “Sawtooth”). Just like any post-rock leaning album, it takes a second to get used to the environment, but ONDA has tons to enjoy.

Recommended for mountain climbing.