Endlessly fascinating it is to witness just how far someone can take their craft. No matter what sound we’re dealing with or what time period we find ourselves in, there are always a good number of bands out there in the ether that have the wherewithal to not just envision new horizons for their sound but also the talent and exceedingly high level of craftsmanship that’s needed in order to bring such a vision to life. Progressive metal and rock has never been lacking in interesting acts that know how to tap into those ideas to make for an engaging performance, but not nearly often enough is it that we’re able to see a new name come from virtually out of nowhere to offer something that is simply captivating to behold in damn near every form. With what’s only their first full-length album, Ikitan ventures where not very many others can.

The neat thing about any music that can be quantified as progressive is that you can do just about anything you damn well please and still find yourself within the immensely broad definition of what people would still consider progressive. Many have used that simple fact to great effect, and it’s still something that can be done quite well as long as the hands crafting the work in question are able to account for all the different flavors, notions, ideas, and ambitions that are being dared within the work. For their first full-length album, it’s clear that Ikitan was able to embody those concepts to such a degree that not only are the progressive elements done tremendously in an instrumental form, “Shaping the Chaos” finds itself dipping its toes in the worlds of stoner, post-rock, metal, and likely other styles that I failed to pick up on. Throughout every one of these given tracks, we’re given a bewildering display of understanding for what each of these sounds could ever dare to bring to the table while always respecting the other styles that find themselves in the same melting pot, and it is in virtually every given moment that Ikitan offers a visage of what can be crafted when the hands doing so are delicate but singularly focused to make an experience that feels organic and engaging but always fun and fluid.

Where many others in the vastness of the progressive underground tend to have unsure footing and miss the mark, Ikitan has done anything but within this singularly excellent effort. Daring in its scope and unyielding in its entirety, “Shaping the Chaos” leaves nothing on table with the addictive nature of the songwriting ensuring that you most definitely be coming back for more be it immediately or later down the line when you realize Ikitan scratches an itch not many can relieve.

LISTEN to “Shaping the Chaos” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Ikitan on Facebook here.

FOLLOW Ikitan on Instagram here.