Info:
Ruohtta is essentially a one man band from Northern Sápmi, conducted by Tervaaja. This project started in 2012 and the first effort, Laplandic misanthropy, came out in 2013 followed by two EPs; Kaanij in 2019 and Reetessä in 2021. To describe the intentions and artistry of Ruohtta, I choose to quote my favorite visual artist Kalervo Palsa (1947-1987) from Kittillä;
"My art will remain dark, however optimistic I become. I suck in the gloom from this region, from home, the surroundings, sickness, death. I shall never speak about joyful things, I shall always remind of the bad, the oppressive, I shall always sing in a minor key.”
A turbulent history of imposed Christianity and predatory colonialism along with suppressed feelings of dejection, frustration and resistance gave birth to seemingly impossible cultural synthesis in Northern Sápmi. In the early mid 1900s, people in some rural areas embraced both Laestadianism and Stalinism while still practicing elements of old pagan Finno-Ugric (Sámi) religion. Reetessä, the follow up to the 2019 release Kaanij, captures and canalizes chaotic energies found within these contrasts and brings forth a wrath that flames deep within the Laplandic soul. The music wanders from furious and unapologetic Black Metal attacks into sombre ambient territories. The lyrics are performed in the three main languages of this region; Swedish, Meänkieli and Sámi.
Tervaaja – vocals, guitars, bass, synth, percussion, kantele, spoken word
Bjebmok – drums on track 1, 2, 3, additional vocals on 1, 2
Ritnigállis – additional vocals on track 1 and 3
David Väyrynen – spoken word on track 4
All songs are written and arranged by Tervaaja
Godless sermon by David Väyrynen
Engineered, recorded and mixed by Johan Karlsson
at Arctic Mire studios in Gällivare during the winter of 2019 – 2020
Mastered by Jesper Dahlström at Heart of Sound
Artwork/photo by Tervaaja
Design & layout by Alireza Safaeian
ruohtta.bandcamp.com
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Ruohtta - Reetessä (Sweden)
Order Code: TR001
© TormentRex 2021
tormentrex.com
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released April 30, 2021