Sunnata – Burning in Heaven, Melting on Earth Review

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The Colour out of Darkness

From their first LP release, Climbing The Colossus, in 2014, to their fourth, Burning in Heaven, Melting on Hearth, out on February 26th, Sunnata has always been a particular band. With their dark shamanic stoner, they have built an immediately identifiable and quite unique sound. It is difficult to find another band that sounds like Sunnata, and when you’re hooked, desperately looking for more, your only option is to wait for the next release… So will Sunnata addicts get a new high from this release?

How is the sound?

Sunnata is not your typical stoner doom band. The Polish band blends influences from dark folk, reminiscent of bands such as Heilung or Danheim, with a “progressive” approach in the rhythms and structures. It’s always been present in their music, particularly in their 2018 album “Outlands”, and I find it to be a little less present in this new piece. It will still please those who like bands as Tool or Dream Theater, and might put off those who expect something doomier, gloomier.

One thing of note is also the use of chanted, mass-like (which is very ironic) singing pushed to the next level in this album. For me, who I must confess am not a big growl enjoyer, even if there’s a bit of screaming, this is the perfect balance. It sounds like it could have been black metal but didn’t want to go there. It lays down a very peculiar ambient, like you’re witnessing a pagan or occult ritual, but without too much blood or human sacrifice; without the scary parts. And I also like not being scared.

Psychedelia is not forgotten either, the rhythms are throbbing, the chords hypnotic, the instrumental composition does fall under the trance-inducing-shamanic-do-take-psychedelic-drugs-why-thank-you-for-the-acid-tab genre. The production could have been more leaden, the mix may appear a bit clear from time to time, but overall it’s still heavy as it goes, I even found it to be heavier than on their previous album.

In conclusion, Sunnata delivers an album in the continuity of their so peculiar style, but not without innovation. Lovers will love, and Sunnata remains as unclassifiable as ever.

Why is this album worth listening to?

• Sunnata have their very unique sound, you should try it, everyone can find something in it
• A lighter take on something that could have sounded like extreme metal
• A progressive approach that breaks the monotony

In what situation you should listen to this album?

• Watching the old religions slowly die and new ones replacing them.

Something particular to note?

• This album tackles religious fanaticism. As the band themselves put it “ An individual who follows this path will never fully contribute to society and will never be able to share his love in a healthy way.” But I’m sure priests can enjoy it nevertheless.
• Also, there’s a track called “God Emperor of Dune”, and people making songs about Dune are good people in my book.