Almost A Dirty Dozen with SHAMM LAREIN – December 2022

According to a recent press release: “Svart Records unleashes a heady brew of nocturnal Post-Punk atmosphere and avant-garde Metal from Swedish Goth-tinged Doom Rock band Shaam Larein. The new album, Sticka en kniv i världen literally meaning: “stick a knife into the world”, is a ravishing, cut-throat statement of Shaam Larein’s heavy intent, that casts a new shadow of stunning darkness. Formed in 2018, Shaam Larein released their debut album “Sculpture” in 2020 to raptured underground praise, earning them an instant booking to the prestigious Roskilde Festival and planting them on the radar of cult artists such as Chelsea Wolfe. Shaam’s background in the theatrical arts and her Syrian roots shine through in the dramatic structures and middle eastern scales her melodies incorporate, all driven by a powerful female voice that commands and charms in deadly measure. Conducting her band of Swedish vamps like a montage of Siouxsie Sioux and Lisa Gerard meeting in a Murnau horror, Shaam Larein casts a spell both occult and hypnotic. Carrying a haulage of blackened Heavy Metal Doom in it’s gothic Post-Punk drive, Sticka En Kniv I Världen does what it says on the tin, providing a stab of something unearthly but also hyper-real with songs like “I Have No Face” as a stark eye-meeting stare of emotion.” We get auteur-like visionary singer Shaam to discuss new music, influences, and more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

Sticka en Kniv i världen is a bit more aggressive in the sound I would say compared to Sculpture and an intense journey as well. There is a point of why this record is that intense and I think If you dig deeper in yourself while listening you will understand the journey.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

I remember it started really really early. My dad was very determined that art should be in my life, from ballet to theater. I listened to classical music since I was a child and from then I guess music was always there in my life. I was told that when I was a child around 1-1/2,2 years old, I stood up as soon as I heard Edith Piaf sing. And I have some vague pictures actually, it was this specific perfume advertisement on TV with Edith singing in the background, I am talking about the 90’s here.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

To be honest I don’t have any specifics in that kind of way, my musical taste is guided by many things that is not just music, but ofc there are some gold coins and many musicians but in general its my personal journey.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm…

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour?  What do you like to do to unwind?

Lately life has been very intense so when I have my alone time I am mostly enjoying my home, reading, trying to remember how to cook food and just be with myself.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

That is a question that I find very hard to answer, it’s hard for me who is behind the music to explain the sound or put it into a genre, because we all know that this is not pop music. So I usually don’t say much actually. I can agree and disagree, I’ve chosen to not put my energy on it but it’s funny sometimes when reviewers actually write a whole album review and it’s just comparing the sound to different bands, instead of describing the music. I just don’t get it.

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

I would say Linnea for cooking, me gets the drinks, and no one does that thingy with the guitar.

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

We played at Brutal Assault this year and I was very starstruck when I saw Mr. King Diamond! Sadly I missed him IRL but I remember when everyone was shouting that he was entering the backstage area haha.

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

The best part is that I am able to express my mind and all around it by creating music and that is something that I really appreciate that I am able to do. I think I would stick to art somehow. I can’t see myself doing anything else that is not art related. Painter or sculptor!

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

I have no idea, I am trying to come up with something but there is none.. I think it’s because I never expect so much and I am not that interested in sharing a lot, I like to be in the shadows as well as I decide to say Hi. The questions that feel like a school assignment makes me tired.

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

I would say no, I truly respect the time. I am very eager to experience even more, and obstacles need to come on the way, how would you ever grow if you don’t fall apart as well.

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Category: Interviews