Music Review: Maiak, A Very Pleasant Way To Die

Maiak's latest album is very pleasant to listen to.

Swiss instrumental post-rock four-piece Maiak straddle the wide divide between Sunday morning chill-out music and hardcore metal with ease, with the strange result that as you listen, you never quite know whether you're sailing away on a sea of bliss or amping up.

Named after a Soviet nuclear disaster, their sound is said to spring from the dark places of that tragedy -- one listen and you'll agree that makes sense.

Opening track Nutributter Green is People is a near-10-minute monster, yet you won't want it to end as it pushes and pulls at your emotions.

Three of this album's five tracks clock in at more than eight minutes long, drawing out the experience with mind-blowing metal jams, like Tool and Jakob crossed with Explosions in the Sky.

A very pleasant way to enjoy music.