Hadal Sherpa - 2026 - Mountains

(38:08; Hadal Sherpa)

Track list:
1. Camel on Moon 6:48
2. Goat Gaze 4:46
3. Dark Tides 5:18
4. Ormus 5:57
5. Return to Farum Azul 5:32
6. Mountains 6:16
7. Gurbet 3:31

Line-up:
Vesa Pasanen - guitars, bass, synthesizers, oud, saz, percussion
Ville Kainulainen - guitars
Ilja Juutilainen - drums, percussion
Pi Viana - vocals, flute
with:
Paula Rautoja - backing vocals
Saara Salo - backing vocals
Sonja Suni - backing vocals
Mari Laari - backing vocals


Prolusion.
Finnish band Hadal Sherpa was formed back in 2013, and since the formation the band have released a total of 4 studio productions. "Mountains" is the most recent of these, and was self released in the summer of 2026.

Analysis.
From what I understand there is a chance that this may well be the final album by this band, as this is the second studio production they have released following the passing of band leader Vesa Pasanen. As this band was his project more than anything else, and he wrote just about all the music, these final two albums feature recordings made while Pasanen was still alive that have been finalized by the rest of the band. 

It is quite the striking production we get in this case too. All instrumental, besides a little bit of a backing vocal presence in one of the songs, and it is a jubilant, uplifting and joyful experience through and through this one. 

The opening four compositions are the standout tracks for me. Here we get an array of exotic flavored notes, sounds and timbres from what sounds like a host of different instruments, used in firm and energetic manners in songs reflecting those assets and aspects. With a little bit of a cosmic undercurrent to boot. Magical, mystical and exotic, with a little bit of that Arabian Nights type of associations that floats in naturally on a nearby flying carpet. In many ways these songs remind me of early days Ozric Tentacles, albeit with Hadal Sherpa being more precise and energetic in their drive. Wonderful music all the same though.

The final three compositions all explore slightly different landscapes, and where 'Return to Farum Azul' and the cover song 'Gurbet' both share traits of being a bit more dreamladen and not quite as exotic sounding, and without the more direct associations I got to aforementioned Ozric Tentacles for the opening four numbers here. 

And then we have the title track 'Mountains', which is a side step into another tradition almost entirely. Vintage sounding psychedelic progressive rock with a strong feeling of the 1970's is the name of the game for this wonderfully charming construction, where subtle references to the likes of Jethro Tull and Camel are perhaps a bit more dominant than the use of world music elements and exotic sounds and flavors. And, to my ears at least, this song comes with a strikingly charming 1970's feel to it.

Conclusion.
This most recent album by Hadal Sherpa, that may be if not the final then at least one of the final albums by this band, is a jubilant and charming creation for those who enjoy their progressive rock exploring exotic sounding and uplifting landscapes. Where the title track can be experienced as a bit of a celebration of the psychedelic progressive rock of the 1970s in a way, and major parts of the rest of this production revolves around sounds, moods and atmospheres that will strike a chord with most people that know and love early days Ozric Tentacles. And especially those among them that tend to enjoy a more firm, energetic and positive sounding take on world music flavored progressive and psychedelic instrumental rock with a bit of cosmic seasoning.

Olav "Progmessor" Björnsen, October 2026

Links:
https://www.facebook.com/HadalSherpa