Review of Tenhi - Maaäet

I’ve got to be completely honest with you here. First, I pondered if this album should even be reviewed here. But seeing we review the likes of Cold Meat Industries' ambient roster and other relatively non metal acts (mostly also on Prophecy), I ultimately thought that it would be a huge disservice to all fans if I did not. Second, I’m not sure I can even convey what that album imbues in words alone. It’s an album that has the be heard, absorbed and felt.

What is/who are Tenhi? Well they are a Finnish, divinely artistic, two piece ambient, progressive outfit with one other album (Väre) and a couple of MCDs under their belt who seem to be inherently at one with nature. Driven by ethnic strings, delicate orchestration and subtle acoustic guitars and hypnotic chants, the minimalist, melancholy atmosphere Maaäet coveys is as organic and spiritual as it is creative and enthralling.

Simply put, the 12 tracks on Maaäet are not simply songs, they are journeys; trance inducing sessions of folkish, naturalist therapy that lull, mesmerize and ultimately offset your state of mind from its concrete jungle, rat race ridden core. “Singer” Ttyko Saarikko never really sings, but chants with a deep monkish prose in Finnish, and it truly is hypnotic when mixed with the stark yet somehow lush atmospheres that undulate with dew laced beauty and misty soundscapes underneath. You can almost smell the pine, feel the leaves crunch under foot and hear the gentle bubble of icy streams.

I’m not even going to attempt to dissect each of the 12 movements, it’s simply impossible to put across in words but needless to say from the rending opening piano and violin hues of “Varpuspäivä” all the way through, to the dramatic dual violins of “Kuoppa”, the romantically draining “Vähäinen Violetissa” to the acoustic ethnic campfire bounce of “Rannalta Haettu”, Maaäet never fails to impress, astound or simply effect your very being at every note with its musical elegance and spiritual awareness. Quite frankly this makes the like of Stormfägel look embarrassingly amateurish.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Maaäet surface on many end of years lists, mine included. If you check out one ‘non-metal’ record this year, make it Maaäet. Then grab your headphones, a bottle of wine, a blanket and head to the nearest forest.... and become one with it.

Release Details

Tenhi

Maaäet

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