(Review from progarchives.com)

Von Zamla (translating Son of Zamla) is an evolution of Samla and then Zamla Mamma Manna. It is also in the musical continuity of its pedecessors. Von Zamla has Haapala and Hollmer from the band’s previous incarnation, with the addition of two other musicians from Albert Marcoeur’s band.

Their sound’s main bet is on multicolored melodic motifs, extravagant tratments, heavily relying on dissonant chord progressions and pretty recurrently sustained on counterpoints regarding the arrangements. The music is deeply challenging while not being particularly aggressive – their compositions and style bear the heritage of Zamla Mannas Manna (ZMM) but with a more light-weight attitude toward the interactions between all musicians. The absence of a drummer, or more precisely, a specialized percussive section, allows the ensamble to focus more enthusiastically on the amalgamation of keyboards, guitars and woodwinds, although the rhythmic basis still plays a solid role at ordaining the aforesaid amalgamation. The strong position of the accordion helps the band to elaborate a folk-based depth within the confines of the band’s overall vision.

The opener “Harujanta”, bearing a pletoric aura of celebration with various hints to Northern Europe folk, is a definite proof of their sound. Later on, ‘Clandestine’ includes an effective melodic twist that leads to a werid musical box-like final motif and ‘Original 13/11′ is headlong for the delivery of overwhelming exotic ambiences; both persevere with the special, bizarre magic that Von Zamla instill on their particular approach to RIO.

‘Rainbox’ displays a more melancholic mood, sweet and suave, but not without its proper touch of mystery. ‘Doppler’ is a definite highlight with its sinister spirals of neurosis and spacey cadences. In many ways the somber spirit in this track is a reminder of the sophisticated tension so clearly illustrated on ZMM’s swansong “Familjiesprickor”.

Other notable tracks include the nocturnal ‘Temporal You Are’ and the last two numbers ‘Antsong’ and ‘Tail of Antsong’, genuine brainstorms of atonal colors. ‘Ten Tango’ brings back the band’s softer, althoug displaying more intensity and mystery than ‘Rainbox’, particularly due to the hypnotic use of texturial ornaments in a weird confluence of tango-fusion, Stravinsky and gypsy folk.

Line-up:
- Eino Haapala / guitar, bass, cello, mandoline, percussion, vocals
- Lars Hollmer / keyboards, accordion, percussion, glockenspiel, lead vocals
- Denis Brely / bassoon, oboe, voice, baryton sax, Soprano flute
- Jan Garret / bass, bass pedals, guitar, percussion, vocals

Track List:
01. Harujanta – 7:51
02. Rainbox – 3:15
03. Doppler – 4:34
04. Clandestine – 5:46
05. Temporal You Are – 4:34
06. Original 13 11 – 4:49
07. Ten Tango – 5:44
08. Antsong – 5:12
09. Tail Of Antsong – 2:04

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