Shaman - Idja

Shaman - Idja

1999

Natural Born Records

www.Korpiklaani.com

Before getting started it’s important for me to mention that I am a fairly average American. What this means is that I speak only English, have a fairly limited knowledge of the various peoples of the world, and many of the things that draw me to the music that I listen to are related more to my family history and something that lives in my blood. It’s strong enough to let me know it’s there, but I’m too far removed from my roots to really understand much more than the knowledge that I’m drawn to it. With that, away we go…

There are a few bands out there that go under the name Shaman. The one that I’m referring to is the band that would later go on to rename themselves Korpiklaani and with that name change present a more conventional metal sound. Before the name change, however, the band produced two full length albums that I can only describe as folk albums influenced by metal. In the sub-genre of the so-called folk metal I have yet to hear a more genuine interpretation of a band’s cultural roots than that which is given by Shaman. This first full length album, Idja, is performed entirely in the Sami language, and as such, I haven’t got the slightest idea as to what the lyrics are saying, or the meanings of the song names. It takes roughly 2 seconds to realize that the language barrier here is irrelevant. The songs are delivered in a traditional style with feeling that give the lyrics a substance beyond the words themselves, and allow the listener to absorb the music without the distraction of trying to make sense of the words themselves. Call me strange, but a song that relies on an understanding of the literal meaning of the lyrics often lacks a great deal of substance. The music provides more of a compliment, rather than simply accompaniment, to the vocals. Without the ability to understand the lyrics one could almost consider the vocals simply another instrument in the band.

It’s unusual for an album of 12 tunes to have 12 high points, but Idja manages to pull it off. One of my particular favorites is a tune called Orbina. It starts off with an acoustic guitar backing ballad vocals that take the listener to a quiet place that could almost be the telling of the early days of a family history. As the story comes to a point of higher conflict distorted electric guitars in a (metal) traditional gallop backed by drums raises the intensity of the song. As the story comes to an end the acoustic guitar and ballad comes back, and the story fades away. I haven’t the slightest idea what it’s really about, but a little beer makes what I wrote sound kinda cool. It Sat Duolmma Mu, the fifth track on the album, is more aggressive, with a sound that really sounds like a heavy bluegrass tune. It delivers an intense experience that is closer to the sound of Korpiklaani. The second track on the album, Giella, is yet another favorite. Throughout the song there is a consistent melody that begins with an acoustic guitar, trades off with vocals, and in one point, an electric guitar. Underneath is a driving beat held up by distorted guitars and drums. Just another example of how Shaman is able to create a unique sound that mixes elements of folk and metal in a way that makes the music sound as if it was meant to be performed that way. You’re not left with the feeling that the band has a set formula for mixing elements together in order to conform to some predetermined product. It’s just a natural delivery that elicits a variety of feelings, if not actual understanding.

I suppose I could ramble on for a while longer, possibly making even less sense, and with no hope of doing the band or the music justice. With that in mind, I’ll just say that if you have a taste for Folk metal you have to check these guys out. Buy the album, listen to it, tell people about it, this is just good music.

If you've taken the time to read this feel free to take the time to talk back. The reason I'm here is to try to share some really cool music that you may or may not have heard of. I'm also here to find out about bands that I haven't heard of yet.