Maybe jazz

Actually, I quite like that this is filed under jazz. Extreme metal is closer to free jazz in intensity and experimentation than it is to mainstream rock. When it's good, it locks you in and takes you to the same place, and on a first listen this offering from Nadja is very good, if not quite cutting edge. So, if you've come here for metal and like this album, try some Pharoh Sanders, or, if you normally prefer things a little harder edged, go straight to Peter Brotzmann (Machine Gun, preferably - heaviest piece of recorded music I've ever heard). On the other hand, and if you've stumbled on Nadja while browsing for some free jazz fire music, try Boris (Absolutego for a good long journey) or again, if you prefer things harder, try Blut Aus Nord (MoRT).

forget the categorization

cadmon

Yes, this is incorrectly categorized. It's also a stunning achievement. A warmer and, at times, more nuanced and complex take on the extreme doom sound. Nadja is both more and less than Sunn O)). While their sound lacks the oppressive immensity of Sunn, it also is easier to get lost in and less overbearingly focused on darkness. Both Nadja albums are surprising and refreshing. If this is the kind of thing you like, you are sure to love them.

Progressive Shoegazing

SDR

While I find the 'drone' movement to be a bit hit and miss, bands such as sunn O))) and Earth doing little for me, this album just has a certain something that tickles the brain and ears alike. I came across Nadja from a Brainwashed Podcast, a live performance that you had to run at double speed just to make sure the performers were actually breathing, but it was enough to provoke interest. Certainly not disappointed in this release, it has more life to it than most drone, multiple layers and washes of guitar noise, simple drum rhythms, I find myself reminded of how excited I was when first discovering Slowdive/My Bloody Valentine back in the early 90s. Imagine the former had spent the last 15 years watching David Lynchs 'darker' films; clockwork orange style, on a continual loop then let loose in a studio with a stack of effects pedals and a guitar/bass to work out the issues from their confinement, then you'd be getting close to what this sounds like - for me anyway.

Definitely not "Avant-Jazz"

hoytler

But most likely a good find for fans of Sunn0)))/Khanate, Godflesh, or otherwise Doom-metal and respective variants.

Ahhh... not quite jazz

Doundounba

But hey, who am I to judge? According to the record label's own [URL=http://www.alien8recordings.com/releases/168/Touched]page about this album[/URL], this is "ambient doom" music and listening to the samples leads one to believe that that's an apt description. Might belong more in Metal or maybe some subsection of Electronic...