By Bona Pjarren
‘Alkai’ is the fourth album of Lithuanian ritualistic dark-folk project Véliu Namai. It serves as an open invitation to experience the mystical world of the Baltics, to feel the sacredness of its ancient past. The album features guest appearances by Espen Winther of Eldrim, Swedish-Serbian composer Petar Mrdjen, and prominent Lithuanian singer Liucija Nanartaviciute.
Opener ‘Aftensinn’ is a fine introduction. With its atmospheric bowed strings and exotic mix of traditional instruments, it leads into an addictive dance style mix. Strange compelling vocals only add to the overall effect. It is a heady mix of styles, which continues throughout the album…
‘Vaeringjar’ is next up, and is a brooding ominous song. Atmospheric and hypnosis inducing in its composition it seamlessly blends trance with neo-folk. ‘Bardo’ has a slower more measured approach and a definite tribal feeling to it. The folk styling is very Eastern European as it gradually builds in intensity. ‘Vilkobele’ with its picked acoustic introduction is another well thought out song with plenty of unusual haunting musical ideas each building on a simple underlying melody.
‘Miklagard’, with its slow ambient folk styling, adds another dimension to this unusual album. Gypsy scales add an exotic Middle Eastern flavour to the proceedings. I can see where the Sigur Ros likeness comes in, as this album does offer something experimental while retaining a traditional feel. The organ sound at the end is a nice touch.
‘Alkai’ itself has a frame drum sound with a dance techno feel, plucked strings, strange didgeridoo, mouth harp sounds and haunting vocals add up to a stunning song. ‘Saules Kalvis’ has an ethereal tribal feel to it. This band has a definite style of their own while delivering something a bit different with each track.
‘Paskandos’ continues with a heady blend of ambient trance music blended with Eastern European folk elements. Its driving beats and counter rhythms are infectious. ‘Invocation Of The Nine Horned God’ has a spooky almost X Files theme feel to it. Delicate chimes float over the main theme in a ponderous, ominous fashion. It is all highly evocative. It then launches into a full on dance track.
‘The Plateau’ starts with orchestral strings and evolves into a bouncing techno song with folk undertones. It also has a nice trance style breakdown. And finally onto ‘Nott’, the last track on the album. It is a dramatic track, starting slowly with ethereal ambience it builds into blast beats and soaring melodies, which was a bit of a surprise.
‘Alkai’ is an enigmatic album, full of unexpected twists and musical turns. It is imaginative yet cohesive with its signature trance and Eastern European folk themes. Véliu Namai are also not afraid to throw in a curve ball: I am thinking of ‘Nott’ with its blast beats. ‘Alkai’ is a thoroughly enjoyable work with loads of ideas to go at. It is quite different from any other album that I have listened to recently and is packed with imagination. If you are willing to give something different a try then this is the album for you.
- ‘Alkai’ is released on Friday 20 January. You can get your copy HERE.
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