Shaam Larein – Sticka En Kniv I Världen
Release Date: 9th December 2022
Label: Svart Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Doom, Folk, Gothic, Rock.
FFO: Messa, King Woman, In Solitude.
Review By: John Newlands
To most of the world, Sweden is the home of meatballs, IKEA, ABBA and tall handsome blond folk. This may very well be the case, but to those within the heavy music community we are fully aware of the pedigree associated with the Swedish heavy music scene. Once again they have spawned something quite splendid; a sultry, eerie, melancholic folk doom rock gem that go by the name Shaam Larein.
I must say, on first listens I was not completely sold on Stika En Kniv I Världen, I just couldn’t get my head into it whatsoever. So I waited a week or so before I hit play again, and I’m really glad I did.
Quite simply, on first listen I was in the wrong mood to be in the spooky melancholic world that Shaam Larein stick the knife into. This is not an album to put on if you want to rock out, are feeling anxious, uneasy. If in the wrong mood, it becomes an unsettling almost claustrophobic pill to swallow, but when you are in the right place it is an impressive and very engaging body of work to consume.
Production on the album is perfect for the style, there is a pleasing organic feel that provides a vintage, live recording feel but without the dip in quality that can be found in older recordings. All the instruments sit nicely in the mix with enough space that the listener can clearly articulate all the instruments played.
No one overplays in the album, yet everyone plays to a very high standard. I particularly enjoy the dynamic guitar sound that when almost clean has a nice shimmering, sparkly feel but also has the heft, drive to deliver the impact when required. There is organ in the mix and I’m not a huge organ fan, but its done well in this release and adds a fitting and sonic texture to the tracks, its not over used or playing into normal spooky clichés.
The standout here is the trio of female vocalists. At points it feels like these ladies are an enchanting coven of songstresses singing the listener into an unsettling hypnotic daze, whispering tongues in your ear as the cold blade of the knife slides across your throat.
Composition on the album is great, with the main hooks delivered in the first five tracks on the album. Standout tracks for me were Stika En Kniv I Världen, Flesh of Gold and I Have No Face. The only point in the release where I feel the flow is broken is Track 7, Leave Me Here To Die, which is comprised of an impressive vocal harmony, accompanied by drums and some atmospheric synth work. It is not a bad track by any means. It is akin to a musical amuse bouche that sonically cleanses us before the closing track kicks in. I just wonder if it would have been better placed elsewhere on the album.
Overall, I would say that Shaam Larein have put out a very solid release and it would be worth while checking out Stika En Kniv I Världen, just make sure your head is in the right place & if not then try again later.
Lastly, I would like to quickly mention the impressive and appropriate artwork for the release, provided by fellow Swede, Pelle Åhman of the metal band, In Solitude. The image contributes further to the mystery and unsettling spookiness found within Stika En Kniv I Världen and provides fitting imagery for this bewitching release.
(4 / 5)
