TASKAHA is a Progressive Rock band from Norway, consisting of five adept musicians with experience from many different music genres. This is their debut, self-titled album, which contains nine tracks. "Mind Date" leads off the album. An easy-listening mid-tempo riff carries the first bit of melody. The Progressive elements are there, but more subtle. They remind me LUNATIC SOUL. Rick's vocals are soft but expressive, and he has no problems negotiating in the upper ranges. I love the audible bass notes here, and the guitar solo is lively as well. They are actually quite good at playing with the meter in this song as well, as it takes on a bluesy feeling after the half-way mark.

"Distressed" is a shorter, five-minute piece with smooth and mellow tones. Similar to some of their country mates, they are really good at pushing emotional elements in their music. But make no mistake, this is not Metal, it's Progressive Rock. "Reframe!" has a little more fuller of a sound, from the opening riff. The melodies here are easier to grasp. "Daylights's Fading" is over eight minutes in length, opening with depressive tones, and smooth, easy vocals. The harmonized guitar parts and vocals in the chorus are really nice here. Around the half-way mark, the melodies that develop are sublime.

"Invisible" is a shorter song and perhaps more linear as well. Clean guitars lead the charge with thumpy bass notes. Progressive elements come into play in the chorus, with some odd chord changes. It keeps you on your toes. The extended guitar solo is nicely done, playing with the melody line instead of against it. "Eden" is more mellow and depressing in nature, at over eight-minutes in length. Again, odd chord progressions are present. Just when you think it is heading one way, it splinters another. The sort of "free jazz" passage around the half-way mark is unexpected as well. "Nature Girl" is another mellow song with flowing, melancholy melodies. I really like the sound here...it swings and breathes at the same time. It crescendos towards the end with doleful, yet hopeful tones.

"Friday Night" is a short four minutes of blissful peace. Clean guitars and the easy voice of Rick Holmen create a dreamy atmosphere. "The Climb" closes the album...a thirteen-minute beast. Atmospheric tones open the song. A climb is indeed something that has to build. It's sweet at first, with positive elements. Around the half-way mark, it changes to slightly darker tones filled out with distorted guitars. The opening melody returns following the guitar solo. Overall, I found the album to my liking. It has enough variation to keep the listener engaged, but it lacked some of those big moments that really blow you away. There was some nice use of crescendos here and there, but no big moments of ecstasy. Still, it was an enjoyable listening experience.