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How on earth can any debut album sound as complete and sophisticated as "Hjarta" from Danish doom newcomers MAUNAH? How can a band that seemingly just appeared out of the blue deliver such a modern doom metal masterpiece?
Valid questions. The answer lies in the fact that although it is technically correct to label MAUNAH as a new band, the truth is that the members are veterans of the Danish rock, folk, and metal scenes.
MAUNAH's popular frontman, Søren Sol Koldsen-Zederkof, has toured extensively with the beloved Nordic folk band KRAUKA, and he has also released several critically acclaimed albums under the artist name LOS. His fellow musicians come with experience as well. Guitarist Mads MP Laursen has, for example, played guitar with IRONGUARD and ENCYRCLE.
As it turns out, the chemistry was just right. All the stars aligned – and remarkable talent, fresh musical ideas as well as mature songwriting flowed together naturally in MAUNAH. The positive interaction of the band members became the catalyst for an alchemical transformation that turned music into sonic gold.
Although the roots of "Hjarta" reach deep into the melodic Scandinavian doom tradition, there is so much more happening on this album. There's a dash of Nordic folk here, a pinch of modern metal there – all boosted by renowned producer Tue Madsen (THE HAUNTED, MOONSPELL, HEAVEN SHALL BURN et al.), who was responsible for recording the groove parts with the Danes' rhythm section.
With each new spin, "Hjarta" keeps giving as MAUNAH have crammed their album with excellent ideas and layers of details. Yet the Danes have not fallen into the trap of drowning out their own ideas by wanting too much in too short a time. Their songs are allowed to breathe, develop cinematic moments, and unfold, before sinking captivating hooks into the ears.
That MAUNAH are a perfect example of the notion that the sum can become greater than its parts was already audible on the band's digital EP "Heimaland", which came out on June 20, 2025. Enriched versions of the songs found their way onto the debut album.
Another element that sets MAUNAH apart from their peers in doom is the absence of lexical language. The vocals are built on tone, feeling, and rhythm – in an echo of human speech. This creates a space for a more direct connection between vocals and music that reaches beyond the limits of rational language.
In the Danes' own poetic words: "Maunah is the sound of despair and open skies. Maunah is leaves crunching underfoot, the cold of the forest floor seeping through the soles. And Maunah is the warmth of the sun on the face and oxygen filling the lungs. In the music, the cold of winter meets the summer warmth in the chest, where Maunah pumps blood through the body and music into the air."
With "Hjarta", MAUNAH offer a remarkable debut that goes well beyond the average and exceeds expectations. How far can these Danes get? Only time will tell!
Artist: Maunah
Album title: Hjarta
Release date: September 18, 2026
Style: Nordic Doom
Label: Prophecy Productions
Distribution: SPKR
Review Impact Date: August 10, 2026
Line-up
Søren Sol Koldsen-Zederkof – lead & backing vocals, overtone flute
Mads Medom Papsø Laursen – lead guitars
Janus Holst Aaen – guitars, backing vocals
Jakob Kiilerich – bass
Tim Sejr Wettendorff Larsen – drums
Bass & drum recording & mix by Tue Madsen at Antfarm Studios, Aarhus (DK)
Guitars & vocals self-recorded by the artists at home studios (DK)
Mix & mastering by Jens Moss Thorsen at Mossy Production, Aarhus (DK)
Artwork by Søren Sol Koldsen-Zederkof
Layout by Łukasz Jaszak
Shop
https://spkr.store/collections/maunah
Available formats
"Hjarta" will be available as a ltd. splatter transparent yellow & black vinyl LP (250 copies), black vinyl LP, and on Digipak CD.
Links
www.facebook.com/maunahband
www.instagram.com/maunahband
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