Skaz (2019) by Shumilov Bor

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skcjAZT71a8&t=797s


“Shumilov Bor” as a Russian Metaphysical Code

`The initial observation one gains when attempting to comprehend the fictional universe of “Skaz” (“The Tale”) is the emphatic sacredness of its cultural chronotope.

Time and space shape the three-part cosmos here: “immemorial height” represents the world of immortality and sublime good, while our world is below, teeming with sinners. Finally, at the lowest level, “death coiled around like a river” exists.

The album starts with the sound of water. The theme of water is meaningful and endures here, similar to Tarkovsky's oeuvre. The songs are very cinematic and will make recall you “Mirror” and “Andrei Rublev” repeatedly. All symbols are in play: light, shadow, darkness, fire, water, and wood as the axis of the world. Down below is heat, up above is ice. The contrast of intense passion and cold introspection is central to everything.

Musically, it's characteristically Russian metaphorical concept of tonal harmony, with its terms like “steadiness” and “unsteadiness”.

The album concludes with an “ethereal wave” soothing sound that reminds us that we must actively seek grace, as it will not come on its own.`

D.S.(Rīga)

Alexander Ivanov - guitars, vocals, bass, keyboards, lyrics (2-6,8), music (2-6, 8, 10); arrangement, programming, sampling, recording, mixing, mastering (Live Ableton 9, Samplitude Pro X4)

Sergey Maslennikov – drums, percussion, recitation, vocals, ideas

Alexandra Guseva – bass (1-3, 8)

The album was created on the basis of rehearsal improvisations for the period from January 2018 to June 2019.

Thanks to Alla Ivanova for ideas, photographs, design and layout of posters, for support and patience - without her it’s like life without a guardian angel!

Thanks to Dmitry Sumarokov for the annotation to the album.

Thanks to Lyudmila Ivanovna Baydarova for the vocal score in “Black Raven”.

Thanks to the Ventspils Association of National Cultural Societies (VeNKBA) and Ventspils Pilsētas Dome for providing the premises for ShumBorStudio.

©ShumBorStudio.2019. Ventspils. Latvija.

Launched in December 2017.
Style: post-rock, post-ethno, post-ambient with elements of psychedelia and EDM.
Shumilov Bor is a Russian-language project from Latvia, preserving and developing cultural traditions, interest in Russian folklore and Cossack song, enriching its creativity with experiments in different styles of music.

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