Hama Saari - Pictures Progressive Voyages Review PV110

HamaSaari - Pictures

Being as deep into the prog scene as I am, it’s pretty rare when I am given a chance to review a record from a band whom I have never had the slightest idea even existed prior to being given the record.

Such is the case with HamaSaari.

My initial research into them has revealed that the band, whose current line up consists of Jordan Jupin (Vocals / Guitar), Axel Vaumoron (Guitar), Jonathan Jupin (Bass) and Élie Chéron (Drums), is an iteration of their first band, Shuffle. They have had one previous album as HamaSaari, released in 2023 (‘Ineffable’), which, much like the album on offer here today, ‘Pictures’, is based in a heavy reliance on mood and atmosphere.

In the bands own words; “….’Pictures’ picks up where the debut left off and emerges as a central conceptual statement. The record explores images, paintings, and dimensions, and what we choose to place both inside and outside them. Drawing inspiration from myths and legends, ancient civilisations, dreams, reality, and fiction, Pictures delves into belief systems, fears, needs, and the fundamental quests that shape the human experience.”

A high bar to set, indeed.

So…. Join me, won’t you? Let’s meet the Wild Ones, get Lost in Nights, keep our Heads from Spinning as we delve into the Pictures that SamaHaari is painting for our perusal.

Below the Lightnings - heavy in an atmospheric sense and a “slow, plodding churn” of a beat greet us. This is very reminiscent of Karnivool. Simple and relentless…. there isn’t much in the musicality to behold here…. but there doesn’t at this point need to be. The atmosphere and the comfortable chord structures and melodies purposefully hold sway here. They meld well together, and the vocals are perfect for the occasion; powerful and, at times, angelic “en chorus” as they whisk you away into the created aura. An excellent start to the record.

The Wild Ones - more deep feeling here, with excellent drumming (very tasty hi-hat work on display!) playing over a simple repeating guitar line. This still has a Karnivool-style lilt to it, but I also glimpse echoes of Radiohead and a general 90’s alt-rock sense; especially in the “simple-chord heavy” choruses. Once again, the simplicity is both intentional and effective.

Our Heads Spinning - initially bringing more of the somber element, this song finally opens the “heavy” door a bit more as it builds. The album is clearly meant to be a deeper more nuanced affair, but this track reminds us that the band is capable of straightforward, in-your-face ROCK. Very reminiscent of 90’s grunge, but with a modern sensibility when it comes to the mood…. the song effortlessly shifts from the quiet to the pounding.

Lost in Nights - this band is intent on keeping this record low-key in its pace, and continues the trend with another slower plod of a song that relies on a massive chord wall to overtake the listener. They are showing themselves to be quite adept at repeating the same chords but varying the use of voice to give the song some twists and turns. That’s what this track is all about.

Frames - ok…. I think you’re getting the general picture with regard to this album leaning slower and more contemplative…. and while I enjoy that to a degree, we have yet ANOTHER track that does the same thing. And herein lies the chief problem with the album: the general lack of anything really different from track to track is giving it a somewhat monotonous lean. This particular song DOES pick up speed into a very cool and somewhat heavier Karnivool-esque mid-section, but the general sameness of the album to this point is beginning to wear a bit thin.

Under the Trees - we go full on ballad-mode here. No drums, no bass…. a simple acoustic guitar and voice. And, while I have already mentioned that the sameness of the record’s atmosphere is somewhat unexciting, this is a ballad done very well. The singing is gorgeous and the repeating guitar line is simple but pleasant and effective.

Home - finally, at the end of the album, we get a song that foregoes the initial “dreary mood set” and instead opts for a more powerful half time groove beat to set a more rock tone. The guitar is still clean, but the drums deftly plow forward with the beat making this more of a rocker than the contemplative tracks that comprise the rest of the record. The chorus and bridge, in particular, bring out the heavier power-chord structure and overall, though this doesn’t really “heavily” rock, it’s more in that style than the rest of the record.

I don’t want anyone to get the wrong impression here…. this is a good, solid record, and it’s one I enjoyed. The performances are understated (on purpose) and professionally done, and the songwriting is very melodic and at times anthemic. Those who are keen on a more 90’s-style slower grunge sound mixed with the sensibilities of later-era Karnivool will really enjoy this record. I myself like it very much, but its chief virtue is also its biggest problem; the style of the composition never really changes throughout the entire record. I love what they’ve done here, but would prefer more variety in the songcraft and not an entire album’s worth of their brand of ambiance in one sitting. This would definitely be a “in the right mood” album for me…. meaning that I’d own it for my collection, but would need to be in a certain mood to pull it out for a full play through.

Nonetheless, all in all, it’s a good record and, if the styles I’ve mentioned fit your preferencesimage0.jpeg, one that would be worthy of acquiring for your collection.

Info here:https://hamasaari.bandcamp.com/

Author Chris Clark 20th January 2026..