INTRODUCING: Shaam Larein
To be expressive and truly inject your whole self into a project is a very vulnerable position to put yourself in but is innately at the core of what makes music so universal. Swedish doom rock outfit SHAAM LAREIN and their eponymous singer are truly unafraid of being bold in the pursuit of their art. We spoke with vocalist Shaam about the group and their latest record Sticka En Kniv I Världen, which translates to Stick A Knife Into The World, merely days after its release.
“When I sing I need to have a connection within myself to be able to express what I feel when I perform or when I write music in general,” Shaam explains regarding her truly unique vocal style. She formed the band in the beginning of 2018 when she “felt the big urge to actually put focus on my song-writing.” Her characteristic wailing vocals sit atop spacious distorted riffs and are supported by two other prominent voices in Linnea Hjertén and Nathalie Ahlbom, altogether creating a huge chorus and makes listening to them somewhat of a spiritual experience. “I think music is absolutely mysterious, it’s a big ocean if you dare to dig deeper. And I think that is the connection that I found, my love to sing and experiment with what kind of power each voice hides, they [Hjertén and Ahlbom] kind of became a main instrument to me and not just background sound.”
Mysterious is certainly a word that can be ascribed to their music, and with Shaam’s history in theatrical arts, they generate tension and drama in their writing with ease. Unafraid to descend into minimalism, their dynamism requires your attention as you are willingly drawn into the expressive performances. “To me the stage and the record are totally different. I don’t connect them though when I am writing the music, I find the connection when we start to rehearse. The stage is something different, sometimes it’s beyond control, it has its specific temple to say that I respect.”
Adding to this, Shaam says, “when I write I am growing within myself as well, I always learn something about myself and the journey that I took while writing Sticka En Kniv I Världen was a big push for me. I tested my limits and truly expressed my emotions through the song writing, but that is what we artists do when you have that big urge. And it was very satisfying to hear my mind out there becoming melodies. I believe allowing myself to get out of my depth and bit further away from my comfort zone made Sticka En Kniv I Världen to what it sounds today.”
It is apparent superficially that SHAAM LAREIN have taken a more sinister step in their latest material. A brief glance at the track list dictates this trend, featuring titles such as Massacre and Leave Me Here To Die. “In my mind when I wrote the album I was in a darker place, and darker to me means that I tested my limits and left my comfort zone. But I never have in mind while I am in the writing process that I am going to write a specific sound, I just put myself out there and truly let it all out. And that is what Sticka En Kniv I Världen became, a truly intense journey for me and very clear at the end.”
Being a band heavily featuring female voices, the long overdue rise of women within the metal scene is a natural topic of conversation, particularly given the poignant message of lead single Murderer, pointing acutely with the lyrics Don’t you believe her? / She laughs and she screams / Don’t you believe her? / I want more. Regarding this, Shaam comments, “if you never have the chance to experiment or try new things, you will never see your potential or know what you possess. The push that women have received in recent years has made them find their talent through actually practicing song writing. We are getting recognised through our talent and not our looks now, slowly but surely I would say. It has never been the case that women are not capable at creating music, it’s completely absurd to even think that. Intellectual women are finally stepping out because they don’t need to be a sex-object in order to make their music interesting.” A sentiment that is impossible to refute, yet worthwhile to reinforce at every possible juncture.
Releasing a record so late into the year leaves precious little time to explore the reaction before the new year turns, which is why Shaam is chomping at the bit to release the new tracks to live audiences everywhere. “It’s been a long journey and we will definitely enjoy playing the record live next year, we have some shows and festivals booked for now. Let’s see where my mind takes me, I am hoping for an exciting 2023.”
Sticka En Kniv I Världen is out now via Svart Records.
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