This sounded fascinating on paper and appeared to be an album that would transport me away from the living room to a different place and time entirely. That is just what was needed over an extended bank holiday when the UK is basking in bunting and flag waving nonsense, something any sane person really needed to escape from. Ianai is the work of Finnish artist Trevenial, someone we are informed that not a huge amount is known about. However due to the amount of guests involved, this is far from a solo act in the true sense. There are some heavyweights involved here from bands as diverse as Massive Attack to The Sisters Of Mercy, HIM, Swallow The Sun, Lord Of The Lost and The Rasmus. We are given no guideline as to where they appear on this epic opus or indeed who they specifically are, so there is plenty of mystery about Sunir and Ianai. I am sure the physical CD will reveal some answers but would it be something you wanted to go and seek out?

Well, this is entirely subjective on whether you like world music as such. Yes, no beating about the bush here there is not the slightest whiff of anything “metal” about this, which is not a problem and can even be a bonus and an escape as far as I am concerned. From the first delicate strains of opener ‘Savoj Icoil’ you are well aware for the next 71 minutes you are going to be in for a mellow affair. Vocal patterns babble and instrumentation meanders in a slow motion that does not take one out of comfort zone and into danger in the slightest. There is an orchestral background at times, timpani drumming and traditional instruments appear to be utilised at points in this sprawling odyssey. Like true world music this does not constrict you to any boundaries either taking us we are told through “Scandinavia, Africa, Asia, Middle East and South America” something anyone paying attention to the music can easily work out for themselves.

The popularity of artists such as Wardruna & Heilung has certainly spurred others to explore their origins, identities and past heritage via traditional folk roots and Ianai is cut from that same sort of cloth, one which obviously will appeal to lovers of Dead Can Dance, Deep Forest, Enigma and even Enya but one should be aware that even these greats had their off moments and released work that was no more than indulgent muzakal wallpaper. Here this is very much the problem, it is an album that will sit in the background, occasionally the call of a pipe or drum rhythm will summon you back but for me it lacks the necessary spirit and the strength to lift you fully out of the wandering concentration zone. At one point on ‘Sunir’ there is a clack on wood sound that is highly reminiscent of the great spiritual energy created by the Transylvanian atmospheres of Negura Bunget and Dordeduh but it is all too fleeting and does nothing else but prove just what is missing from this.

It’s kind of like leafing through a National Geographic magazine in the doctors waiting room, it doesn’t go far enough to shift your mind from the upcoming appointment. It’s just there, a slightly pleasant enough distraction to while away a few minutes, but would you want to be stuck in this zone for such a long time? There used to be plenty of those new-age compilations released straight out of the chill out rooms at clubs where those wanting a zen like moment could escape to. When one listens to a song such as ‘Khaalo’ at the midway point you may suddenly come to the realisation of just where you are and need to give both yourself and the peppermint tea you have been handed a damn good talking to as you head back to the real world.

There are undeniably moments of beauty here, the vocals both male and female are capable of warming the soul at times and dipping into the odd song here is certainly a pleasurable experience. However, the PR blurb is actually spot on though when it poses, “the question that remains is: when you hear IANAI, will you heed the call?” Unfortunately, and ultimately, I didn’t and doubt I will ever go back to this one again; just like those aforementioned new age chill-out discs gathering dust somewhere on a shelf. I’m going to navigate my way out of this room and back to the one where they were playing Leftfield.

(6/10 Pete Woods)

https://www.facebook.com/ianaiofficial

https://ianai.bandcamp.com/album/sunir