"Dreams of lands unseen" CD by Ignea

Digisleeve

Packing your bags and discovering the world with new eyes - that's exactly what IGNEA is all about on their concept album Dreams of Lands Unseen, which will be released on April 28, 2023. The five-member band, led by singer Helle Bohdanova, presents stories from distant countries, underscored by heavy riffs and epic vocals, complemented by electronic and folk elements. When the band Toured with Butcher Babies and Kobra and The Lotus in 2018, they were able to present their hits such as 'Jinnslammer,' 'Alga,' and 'Disenchantment' to a wide audience, resulting in several million streams, as well as winning the Best Ukrainian Metal Act Awards.

Dreams of Lands Unseen tells the impressive story of Ukrainian photographer and documentary filmmaker Sofia Yablonska through 10 tracks. She became famous for traveling to the most remote places in the world to document the lives of indigenous populations, which was an unusual and dangerous undertaking, especially for a woman at that time. The Ukrainian musicians convey the diversity of her adventures through a mix of different genres, creating a soundscape reminiscent of a soundtrack. Dreams of Lands Unseen was produced, mixed, and mastered by Max Morton (Jinjer, Morton) and Dmitry Kim, who supported the band in drum production and engineering. Sofia Yablonska's journey takes her, among other places, to the Sahara, which is reflected in the track 'Dunes' with its Far Eastern melodies. The raw screams of singer Helle Bohdanova blend with captivating riffs, contrasting with the conspiratorial-dreamy melodies. 'Daleki Obriyi' is one of two songs on the album written in Ukrainian, paying tribute to her homeland. Brutal death metal rhythms and shouts meet catchy synth passages to represent the beauty of a lonely island where Sofia spends some time. As she continues her journey, the explorer spends so much time at sea that it becomes her second home, as the stormy track 'Incurable Disease' tells. Songs like 'The Golden Shell' and 'Opiumist,' featuring Finnish singer Tuomas Saukkonen (Before The Dawn & Wolfheart), are an ode to Yablonska's experiences during her trip to China. Eastern melodies and brutal growls underscore the psychedelic atmosphere. The album culminates with the captivating track 'Nomad's Luck,' which unleashes the band's entire energy with restless guitar riffs and powerful, deep shouts.

Due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, the production of the album was significantly hindered, but IGNEA was never discouraged. They proudly present their multi-faceted concept album Dreams of Lands Unseen, inviting fans on an adventurous journey.