Last night, “Zappa Barka” became a place where Serbia met the spirits of Siberia. Although, this was not their first visit to the country but third, “Nytt Land” once again delivered a completely unique experience and atmosphere to the audience. As part of the „Aba Khan“ tour Belgrade also found its place on the bands concert map. Formed 13 years ago in Kalachinsk, Russia, the band has built its recognizable sound through a powerful blend of folk music, shamanic rhythms and throat singing. The fans of artists such as “Wardruna”, “Danheim” or our own “Vartra” will appreciate the atmosphere and energy that “Nytt Land” brings through its music.
Without any special introduction opening act, or usual concert elements that audience are accustomed to, “Nytt Land” quietly stepped on the stage. The Duo formed by Anatoly Pakhalenko and Natalya Plhalenko possesses a striking stage appearance that makes them truly unique within the contemporary music scene. Costumes made of skin, bones, and fringes are beautiful to see in combination with shamanic makeup you cannot tell if there is a man, woman or some God came on Earth. Although “Zappa Barka” was not unfortunately overflowing with fans of this particular sound, partly due to the somewhat inconvenient concert schedule, those who attended were completely immersed in the atmosphere created by the band from the very first moment of the performance. Their ritualistic and hypnotic music is shaped through instruments such as tagelharpha, shamanic drums, vargan, bones, and wooden flutes. Rather than being used to create conventional melodies these folk instruments primary serve to build dark and immersive atmosphere that defines Nyyt Land’s live performance. The time capsule that “Nytt Land” placed us took us back to an era when shamans held authority within their communities freely conveyed the will of the gods and listened to the nature with all their senses. After the ritual the shamans would retreat to their forest hideaway just as “Nytt Land” withdrew backstage after a simple gesture of gratitude. Whether it was ritual or not is for the audience to decide and we wish “Nytt Land” the best luck with the new album. I hope we will have an opportunity to see them live soon on some festival in the woods because that is the right place of every shamanic ritual.
Report and photo by: Anđela Milunović
