Rating: 9/11
Release: 10 March 2023
Label: Independent

The Romanian E-An-Na have just released their latest studio work called “Alveolar”. It consists of 14 tracks ranging from purely metal songs with incursions of various folk instruments and acoustic songs full of Romanian folk instruments with, often, the integration of electronic instruments. At first listening the band seems to have a sound that might seem already heard, but then listening better you can hear the nuances that make their sound very different from other folk bands.

The texts of the 14 tracks touch on various themes, including the commemoration of a deceased friend, the hypocrisy that masters this period and human nature. Among the various songs stand out some: “Trecătoare”, the tenth track, the text of which deals with the exploration of the primordial nature of the human being and the animal instinct that helped us to overcome centuries of evolution. “Trecătoare” means “passage” and indicates the difference between human and animal intuition, a gray area from which you can move to a higher state between the two, allowing us to return to our roots, making us prove who we really are; “Negru Fault,” which speaks of the complex feelings surrounding the loss of a loved one. From the song it transpires that it is not only the pain of loss, but also the sweetness of memory, which causes a kind of inner comfort and gratitude for what it was; “‘Colo ‘Mbia” speaks of hypocrisy that expands like wildfire, where the mere intention is diverted by the need to have to be a kiss-ass to survive. This song represents a kind of revolution to the practice of being submissive to get some privileges.

Musically speaking, all 14 songs represent the right mix of acoustic songs, with really beautiful female vocal lines and heavier songs with more “classical” electric instruments than the various Romanian folk instruments. Folk parts are well integrated into songs with metal parts, such as “Suit În Noir” and “Fântânile De La Capătul Lumii”. Vocally speaking there are wonderful female vocal lines in the various songs, but an honorable mention deserves “Floare De Fier” where you can hear a growl worthy of the best metal bands.

In conclusion this is an excellent work of E-An-Na, who have been able to combine the various Romanian folk instruments with the various metal influences that characterize the group (they hear influences ranging from heavy to folk/death metal).

Tracklist

1. Mioritic Metal
2. Doi
3. Călăuză
4. O, Romaniţa
5. Ies
6. ‘Colo ‘mbia
7. Fagure Negru
8. Biba
9. Dulce
10. Trecătoare
11. Suit în Nor
12. Fântânile De La Capătul Lumii
13. Cenuşiu
14. Floare De Fier