Style: Djent, Thall, Progressive Metal (clean vocals)
Recommended for fans of: Vildhjarta, The Contortionist, Corelia, Periphery, Cloudkicker
Release date: May 8, 2026
Diamond Morning , their second full-length album, follows an experimental path through the sonic cocktail of chugs and atmosphere of Karmanjakah . From the very first moment, “Dove” kicks off the album’s dense energy with sharp guitar tremolo and galloping rhythmic lines, while driving classic thall bends that create moments of tension throughout the track. The beauty of “Dove” is born from the gleaming keyboards and the tender, explosive vocals of Jonas Lundquist – which are much improved from the previous releases. The nature-inspired lyrical themes in “Dove” match the depth of Lundquist’s voice: Amid tremolo, bass with deep roots and the first of only two instances of blast beating on the entire record, Lundquist’s sturdy melodic voice sings “The sound of leaves flickering on your chest / A million deer released when you say the words”. The balance of heavy rhythms, powerful vocals and introspective lyrics immediately establishes the gleaming identity of Diamond Morning .
Even if reading lyrics isn’t your strong suit, Karmanjakah deliver a fresh, technical songwriting on Diamond Morning . An impressive example comes on “Thousand horns”, which departs from the dreamy atmosphere, as it is the only track on the album with a breakdown composed in the melancholic and grim Aeolian mode (melodic minor scale). After an exposed, multi-layered vocal solo, relentless, arpeggio-filled guitars dance up and down octaves, resembling the crashing waves referenced in the lyrics (“Giant waves high up close the path behind / They hold me, they take me”). The melancholic arpeggios are accompanied by softly accented chords from the rhythm guitar and rising, pleading vocals that intensify the breakdown’s introspection. The tension is felt throughout until it is completely released with a modulation into a brighter scale that rewards the listener with a colorful, gleaming explosion of sound, even as the rhythmic lines remain the same.
“Thousand horns” isn’t the only track that departs from the typical djent composition: “Diamond train” brings back the Middle Eastern musical influence presented on Ancient Skills with intricate triplets and turns, melody-centered musical lines and harmonic composition. “Sun, astray” follows in the footsteps of “Eyes seeing eyes”, presenting itself as a melodically and acoustically driven track with the heavier thall elements taking on a loose supporting role. The subtle use of transitions between tracks by Karmanjakah is yet another sign of the band’s meticulousness. “Diamond art” serves as the proactive instrumental interlude into a dissolution that flawlessly begins “Diamond train”. “Eyes seeing eyes” gently introduces the melody of “Sun, astray” in its outro, marrying the two tracks. The tracks on Diamond Morning were ordered with careful intent, giving each part of the album its own story and personality.
While feather-light riffs make up a large part of Karmanjakah’s sonic identity, Diamond Morning takes time to explore different moods within more ambient musical pieces. A duo, “Sapphire” and “Ruby”, explore the two extremes of an ambient spectrum. “Sapphire” introduces a gleaming, jazz interlude that includes billowy keyboards and timely yet diffuse drums that fill the foundations of the sonic scenery. The track slowly recedes into nothing but scattered vocal sound, which is absorbed by the heavily distorted and dreamy atmosphere on “Ruby”. While the ambient tracks are easy on the ears, they consume a large part of the runtime and limit the exploration of complex compositions to the heavier tracks. Karmanjakah add an extra experimental touch to Diamond Morning by adding moments of free rap over the soft orchestration of “Moon, astray”. The lyrics are delivered with encouragement (“Don’t stop at the crossroads / just go further than your soles can”), but the vocal style is sung in sharp contrast to the ambient lyrics of Diamond Morning , making it a controversial addition due to the lyric’s bold change of direction.
The unwavering brightness of Diamond Morning’s sound is proof of Karmanjakah’s musical talent. Their technical prowess and mix of extreme composition create a dreamy, heartfelt sonic journey through the album’s lyrics and powerful vocals. And while not every experimental element is apparent, the band’s confidence in every note and riff makes Diamond Morning an exemplary album. The heaviness of the album’s massive tracks and the weightlessness of their soft atmospheres make it easy to enjoy the music again and again. For every listener who wants to lift their mood without sacrificing metal’s vulnerable catharsis, find a little sunshine and let your worries wash away with Karmanjakah’s Diamond Morning .
Recommended tracks: Dove, Sun, astray, Thousand Horns, Ruby, Diamond Morning
You might also like: Kadinja, Lattermath, Outrun the Sunlight, Disperse
Final verdict: 8/10
Related links: Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram
Label: Independent
Karmanjakah are:
– Viggo Örsan (Guitars, Backing vocals, Production, Mixing, Recording)
– Jonas Lundquist (Vocals, Keyboards, Production, Mixing, Recording)
– Lukas Ohlsson (Bass, Acoustic guitar)
– Sebastian Brydniak (Drums)
