Folk Songs by Zelenaya
NYC's Zelenaya merges the haunting vocal harmonies of Eastern European polyphonic folk singing with the intensity of sludge, doom, and death metal. The combination pays homage to the traditions, rituals, and stories transmitted in these songs, while reimagining their context and form.
“Folk Songs” is unlike any other metal record you’re going to hear this year, mainly because there’s not bound to be another band collecting classic folk songs and turning them into crushers.” - Meat Mead Metal
Our music plays with melodies from different sources, pursuing the joy of putting them together in unexpected and exploratory ways. While mindful of the origins of our source material, we embrace the spirit of living folk music to reframe these songs within heavy metal instrumentals and spark something sublime through the synthesis of these two very special and different styles.
This album documents the last few years of work and the material we’ve put together through our collective exploration of these beloved and complementary genres.
Tracklist
| 1. | Majka budi Radu | 3:20 |
| 2. | (reprise) | 0:38 |
| 3. | Oy Letilo Kupailo | 3:52 |
| 4. | Urodyla Mene Mate | 6:16 |
| 5. | Letila Zozulia | 5:26 |
| 6. | Hora Za Horoyu | 6:08 |
| 7. | Oy U Lisi, V Lisi | 4:57 |
| 8. | Oyfn Pripetshik | 4:54 |
| 9. | Nasha Mate Na Bazari Bula | 3:05 |
| 10. | Okro Mch'edelo | 5:39 |
| 11. | Vikozhu Odin Ya Na Dorogu | 8:37 |
| 12. | Spod Tego Jawora | 5:32 |
Credits
Caryn Havlik - drums, backing vocals.
James Kogan - baritone guitar, vocals
Veronica Dougherty - vocals
Melanie Closs - vocals
Recording, mixing, mastering and synths by Colin Marston at Menegroth, the Thousand Caves.
Cover art illustration by Breanne Johnson. Lettering rendering by Reverend Leaf. Photography by Jimmy Katz.
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“The adaptation of the folk songs to heavy metal stylings proves to be very impressive […] The pacing and the moods of the songs vary, sometimes jubilant or fierce, sometimes beleaguered or mournful, and sometimes heroic or simply devastated. They’re arranged on the album in a way that makes the most of the emotional contrasts, and many of the songs embody those contrasts within themselves.” - No Clean Singing
“The combination of folk and metal is alluring. It feels ritualistic and powerful, calling upon ancestors and giving a passionate performance. “Folk Songs” is goosebump-inducing and beautiful.” - Nine Circles
License
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NYC's Zelenaya merges the haunting vocal harmonies of Eastern European polyphonic folk singing with the intensity of sludge, doom, and death metal. The combination pays homage to the traditions and stories transmitted in these songs, while reimagining their context and form.