Combining powerful harmonies of Eastern European polyphonic folk vocals with sludge, doom, and death metal, Zelenaya brings a unique and compelling debut album, Folk Songs. Songs are derived from Ukrainian village polyphony, southern Poland, the general Pale of Settlement, further east in the Balkans like Serbia, and even the Caucasus region. Not only are the songs diverse and impressive, but so are the musicians in the band. The bio of each person is inspiring and it is no surprise that this collection of individuals have found their way to each other and joined forces to create this magical album. Having roots in the arts, education, mysticism, non-profits, and more, these four individuals are making the world a better place with everything they do including sharing their gifts together as Zelenaya.
The band is composed of Mela Closs (she/her, vocals), who is also an educator and facilitates Jew-witchy sun and moon rituals, Veronica Dougherty (all pronouns, vocals) who is also an installation and social practice artist, Caryn Havlik (she/her, drums and vocals), who also co-founded the Willie Mae Rock Camp (Inspiring Girls, Women, and Non-Binary Folx to Rock) and is also a Teaching Artist and radio producer, James Kogan (he/him, baritone guitar and vocals), who is a child of Soviet-Jewish immigrants, a sound engineer, and has a passion for world instruments. I mean, wow. I am only hitting some of what was provided in their album press release and I have never been so captivated reading about a band. Their music is equally captivating as Folk Songs opens with a death metal riff and drumming before vocals are introduced with perfect folk harmonies. The vocals take you by surprise, seemingly unexpected with the metal instrumentation, but it is brilliant. It is easy to adjust to the juxtaposition quickly and lean in and enjoy. Immediately following is a reprise of the harmonies with underlying haunting tones as the nearly 40 second song rings out, welcoming in the next track “Oy Letilo Kupailo.” This piece is slower and holds more doom influence with dramatic pauses, and thicker down-tuned guitars. The song transitions to a more lively beat with spirited vocals before slowing back down and eventually perking back up. This is a very fun piece and one of my favorites on the album.
Another favorite, and leading single from Folk Songs, is “Okro Mch’edelo,” drawing from the culture of the Republic of Georgia. The song is about the physical impossibility of taking out more than you have put in. The protagonist of the tale brings a small amount of iron to a goldsmith, asking him to create more items than they have provided the material for. The tune is catchy and the spirit of the music is light-hearted and plucky, matching the energy of the lyrics while still providing doom laden instrumentals to rock out to. Zelenaya’s arrangement of this song is from a version learned by American scholar Carl Linich while traveling in the Meskheti region of Georgia. Providing their own take on it with metal influence, the repeated catchy chorus borrows a melody from the traditional dance Acharuli Gandagana.
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. Zelenaya pays homage to the traditions and stories told in these songs, while reimagining their context and form with the influence of metal. Each track is different, creating a wide variety of emotions. They stand alone in their purpose and story but come together to form a bigger picture and create a folklore that will stand the test of time. I am excited to follow the band’s journey and see what they create next and I love that I am able to write about and support such an amazing group of people in just one of their inspiring endeavors.
-Angela
Folk Songs is available on April 26. For more information on Zelenaya visit their Instagram Page.
Nine Circles 