Nadja
Touched (CD) 2003 Deserted Factory
Nadja is the solo project of the Canadian musician Aidan Baker. Later releases have been described as Dronedoom meets Ambient, but this first release is a bit different from that. The four songs on this album are certainly doom metal. 'Mutagen' immediately starts out with a plodding drum tempo with heavy guitars over it, all coated in a thick layer of ambient and industrial sounds. The other songs are comparable to this one and feature distorted whispering, faded riffs and drums and other weird experimentation. Through these things, Baker is able to create a special sound for his music and the general feel of the album is more relaxing than depressing, as one might expect from a doom band. In that respect, it is a bit like some older ambient Until Death Overtakes Me tracks, but a bit less of the ambient part, as the guitars and drums are present throughout. Although the atmosphere is quite mellow, I can't help but make the comparison with Esoteric's Metamorphogenesis. To be honest, Nadja's style on this release is a great deal like it, to the point that to me it doesn’t sound entirely original anymore. Besides that, the songs are all built around one riff, whereas Esoteric's songs have a lot more variation, and as such listening to this release is a lot less exciting and spine chilling than the experience of listening to aforementioned band. Don't get me wrong, this release is well executed, and can be very interesting to those who favour this particular style, but I do hope that other Nadja releases lean a bit less on the work of Esoteric.	1. Mutagen 2. Stays Demons 3. Incubation/Metamorphosis 4. Flowers Of Flesh Approx. 44 minutes
Reviewed by: Oscar Strik
Corrasion (CD) 2003 Foreshadow Productions
Aidan Baker has certainly been busy. This is Nadja's latest release, and the second full length of 2003, third, overall, since just 2002. The project (Nadja is a solo project) can best be described with such words as 'dissonant', 'schitzophrenic' and 'cold'... but also with complete opposites, such as 'mellow', and 'soft', as well. It is these differeing things which force the listener to be patient, and really absorb everything that is going on. Opening track 'Base Fluid' starts off with the main, and only, riff straight away. The first thing which is evident, is that the guitars have a very soft, and almost comforting tone... they are not harsh at all, as one would expect. Bringing the opposites into play, they are very dissonant, yet mellow at the same time. The second track has evidence of vocals. I say evidence, because they are quiet, mostly whispered, and seemingly buried in the mix... it is difficult to notice them at all! It does suit the vocals well, however, I do think bringing them out a bit more, making them more than just barely audible, might have been better. An interesting thing, is the lack of ambient/atmospheric passages in the first two tracks. Indeed, it is not until the title track, 'Corrasion', that the droning guitars take a backseat to the rest of the instruments. This allows the listener to better hear, and appreciate, everything which is working in the background, so that once the guitars do come in, there is a better understanding of the structure of each song. Once again, the overall atmosphere is dissonant, although this time, it is more schitzophrenic at times, which makes it seem less mellow, but still somewhat soft. The final track, 'Amniotic', is a 20+ minute piece which begins with lots of quiet feedback. This certainly lends strength to the schitzophrenic side of Aidan's music, and is a nice change of pace from the structured, soft riffing. Overall, Nadja is something that needs time, and patience, to properly absorb. Much like any Esoteric (...and indeed, Nadja sound very much like Esoteric, but perhaps not as harsh), or Until Death Overtakes Me release, it can sometimes be difficult to appreciate with the first listen, but for those who are willing, this is a worthy, album.	1. Base Fluid 2. You Are As Dust 3. Corrasion 4. Amniotic Approx. 52 minutes
Reviewed by: Matt Zuchowski
Moss / Nadja Split (Mcd) 2003 Foreshadow Productions
At first, British funeral/sludge doom outfit Moss, and Canadian funeral/ambient project, Nadja may seem like an odd pairing... and even after having listened to the disc, I'm still convinced that it is an odd pairing. Then again, perhaps there is an 'opposites attract' theme going on here. Moss being the raw, crushing, primitive doom, to Nadja's elegant and atmospheric funeral doom. At the very least, it certainly makes listening to both tracks interesting. Let's begin with Moss, seeing as how they have the first track on this split. Crushing, would certainly be an understatement... the sheer heaviness of the music which Moss create, is simply astounding. I don't think there is a good enough word in the English language to explain it. Listening to Moss is like being sucked into a dirty, primitive black hole... one from which there is no escape. Nadja's track is certainly atmospheric, however, unilke other Nadja releases, this song seems to be a bit more dirty... perhaps, to fit in a bit with Moss... or perhaps, we are simply seeing a different side of this project. Regardless, it is as elegant, and trance-inducing as ever. Nadja manage to weave atmospherics, and droning guitars seamlessly... and in the process, create something that is worthy of deep contemplation. So, indeed, a disc of opposites... but it works. Moss is the stark nihilism, to Nadja's veiled misanthropy. Bottom line: great mini album. Be sure to pick this up sooner, rather than later.	Moss: 1. ...Of Flesh and Blood Nadja: 2. I AM As Earth Approx. 20 minutes
Reviewed by: Matt Zuchowski