Raljarn - Practicing Death - Album Review - Modern Progressive Djent Metal from Russia

Today, we have the pleasure of featuring Raljarn, a highly promising modern progressive djent metal band hailing from Russia. In this review, we will delve into their fantastic new album, "Practicing Death," exploring its character, style, story, potential, and more.

Raljarn came to my attention approximately a year ago with one of their single releases. Now, they have returned with their debut album, "Practicing Death," which was released on January 21, 2021. For those who may be unfamiliar with the band, Raljarn embarked on their musical journey in 2019 with the single "DarkHuman." Since then, they have released two more singles, "North Omens" and "DeadHuman," leading up to their first full-length album, "Practicing Death." As you continue reading, I encourage you to listen to their music and immerse yourself in their sonic universe.

Raljarn primarily operates as a one-mastermind-man project. However, I prefer to refer to them as a band due to their collaborative approach to music-making. Having been exposed to Soviet culture for a significant period of time, I have developed a deep appreciation for the vision, approach, and originality of their artists. There is a certain darkness, moodiness, and melancholy inherent in their work that resonates deeply with me. Raljarn is one of the rare Russian bands that immediately caught my attention upon my first listen to their music. I frequently include their records in my personal playlists.

There are numerous aspects of Raljarn that I greatly admire. Firstly, they exude Russian and Scandinavian vibes in their music, image, and visuals—an immensely powerful characteristic. Scandinavians, without a doubt, rank among the greatest metalheads in the world, if not the greatest. With "Practicing Death," Raljarn delivers a top-class album that seamlessly merges modern djent instrumentation with a thematic approach to songwriting, complex compositions, dark atmospheres, and a constant undercurrent of necessary aggression. Their music represents a perfect blend of the darkness found in traditional Scandinavian black metal and the modern djent movement. It is not solely focused on instrumental prowess, although the album features satisfying guitar work and thick, heavy tones throughout. The key lies in the captivating dark mood they establish—an element I deeply appreciate. Each song evokes a powerful feeling that lingers in one's memory. It extends beyond the overall atmosphere, encapsulating the vocals and the path the guitars traverse.

Choosing a favorite song from the album is a daunting task. Each track possesses its own unique qualities while sharing common elements. After highlighting "DarkHuman," "North Omens," and "DeadHuman" as singles, the band made the decision to open "Practicing Death" with "North Omens" and filmed a video for the new song, "Urgehuman." I respect their deliberate approach, knowing that there is meaning behind this sequencing.

On another note, Raljarn has collaborated with several different vocalists along their journey, including Gleb Shashkov, Artem Sergeev, Ivan Evseev, and Ivan Hansen. These talented vocalists bring their distinctive styles and powerful singing skills to the table. I wholeheartedly appreciate each of them. After immersing myself in "Practicing Death" and listening to it repeatedly before writing this review, I couldn't help but notice the resemblance between Artem Sergeev's vocals and those of Joe Duplantier, the vocalist of Gojira—one of my all-time favorite metal vocalists. This was an additional delight to discover in Raljarn. As mentioned before, there are numerous aspects of Raljarn's musical approach that resonate deeply with me. I feel like a devoted fan, eagerly awaiting whatever they release next. The truth is, I hold immense respect for this band.

Taking all of this into account, I can confidently say that once again, I had an outstanding experience listening to "Practicing Death." Fans of dark progressive metal and djent will undoubtedly appreciate this record and regard it as a valuable addition to their collections.

"The Whale Song" and "Posthuman" have rightfully earned their spots in our Top Metal Songs Playlist.

Please take a moment to explore the links below if you wish to learn more about Raljarn. Follow them on social media, subscribe to their channels, and demonstrate your support, ensuring you don't miss any of their upcoming releases.

In conclusion, the Metalhead Community Team extends its congratulations to Raljarn for their exceptional work on "Practicing Death" and wishes them the very best in their future endeavors. Thank you for reading.

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