TradAttack! - Ah

Review by Ed Jennings

Album Review: "Ah" by TradAttack! – A Folk-Rock Journey from Estonia Let’s get one thing straight—Estonia doesn’t mess around when it comes to music that feels like it’s been plucked straight out of a forest, polished with modern grit, and served on a silver rune plate. Enter Ah, the 2016 debut album by TradAttack!, a band that somehow manages to sound ancient and futuristic at the same time. With genres ranging from Folk-Rock to Art Rock, and styles dipping into Rune Singing (yes, you read that right), this record is as wild as its name suggests. First off, let me just say Sandra Sillamaa deserves some kind of medal. She’s not only singing her heart out but also playing bagpipes, soprano saxophone, whistle, AND Jew’s harp? Like… what? Who even does that? It’s like she’s channeling centuries of Estonian tradition while keeping one foot firmly planted in today’s rock scene. And Tõnu Tubli on drums? Dude knows how to make beats that feel primal yet sharp enough to cut glass. Now, onto the tracks. I gotta talk about “Must Madu” (Black Snake) because, honestly, it slaps. The song starts off all mysterious, like you’re walking through misty woods at dawn, unsure if you’re being followed by something sneaky. Then BAM—it kicks into high gear with pounding drums and Sandra’s haunting vocals. You can practically see the snake coiling up, ready to strike. But instead of fear, there’s this weird sense of empowerment, like yeah, I’m scared, but I’m also kinda rooting for the snake. Weird flex, I know, but that’s the magic of this track. Another standout is “Nirr-Nurr.” This tune is pure ear candy, blending playful rhythms with Sandra’s ethereal voice. It’s catchy as hell, but don’t let that fool ya—it’s got layers. There’s this moment halfway through where everything drops out except for the Jew’s harp, and suddenly you’re transported somewhere else entirely. Maybe it’s an Estonian village fair from centuries ago, or maybe it’s your own headspace. Either way, it sticks with you long after the song ends. The production quality here is solid too. Rainer Koik handled recording, mixing, and sound design, and dude clearly knows his stuff. Every instrument pops without drowning out the others, which is no small feat given the sheer variety of sounds crammed into these songs. Props to Minerva Pappi for mastering—this album sounds crisp whether you’re blasting it on speakers or chilling with headphones. But here’s the kicker: Ah isn’t just an album; it’s a vibe. Listening to it feels like flipping through an old photo album filled with pictures you’ve never seen before. Some moments are joyous, others eerie, but all of them feel deeply human. Plus, who else combines twelve-string guitars, traditional Estonian poetry, and bagpipes into something that actually works? So yeah, give Ah a spin if you’re tired of cookie-cutter playlists and want something real. Just don’t blame me if you find yourself daydreaming about Estonian folklore—or trying to learn the Jew’s harp. Trust me, it’s harder than it looks. Final thought? If this album were a person, it’d probably be the cool aunt who shows up unannounced, teaches you how to whistle with grass blades, then vanishes into the sunset. And honestly? We need more cool aunts in our lives.

Artist: TradAttack!
Album: Ah

Estonia

2015

Rating: 4.67

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Related albums

Download

Filename: tradattack-ah.zip

MP3 size: 197.2 mb
FLAC size: 1601.4 mb

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Tracks

Track	Duration	Preview
Kuukene • Moon
Unes • In A Dream
Must Madu • Black Snake
Tuna-Tuna • Tuna-Tuna
Tuna-Tuna	4:15
Paistuse Sõnad	4:12
Reied • Thighs
Nirr-Nurr • Nirr-Nurr
Jaan'Kene • Jaan'Kene
Peale Päveva • After The Day
Toru-Uss • Pipe-Snake
Peale Päeva	3:21
Reied • Thighs
Paistuse Sõnad • Words Of Swelling
Peale Päeva	03:21
Must Madu • Black Snake
Unes	4:0
Nirr-Nurr • Nirr-Nurr
Toru-Uss • Pipe-Snake
Toru-Uss	3:15
Nirr-Nurr	4:44
Peale Päveva • After The Day
Oleks Minu Olemine • If I Were
Tuna-Tuna • Tuna-Tuna
Kuukene	4:23
Jaan'kene	5:0
Kooreke	3:27
Paistuse Sõnad	04:12
Jaan'kene
Reied	2:55
Oleks Minu Olemine	2:49
Oleks Minu Olemine • If I Were
Kooreke • Precious Cream
Must Madu	3:2

Video

TRAD.ATTACK! Unes @Põhjaka Mõis

TRAD.ATTACK! Kooreke feat. Liisa Kümmel (Eesti Kirjandusmuuseumi ERA filmidelt)

TRAD.ATTACK! Oh oleks minu olemine

Sandra Sillamaa Trad.Attack! Reied

TRAD.ATTACK! Peale päeva / After the day Acoustic session in St.Petersburg, Russia

TRAD.ATTACK! Paistuse sõnad / Words of swelling LIVE (May 2015)

TRAD.ATTACK! Kuukene - Moon (official video)

TRAD.ATTACK! feat. Anne Vabarna JAAN'KENE (Album AH! 2015)

TRAD.ATTACK! Must madu

Images

Catalog Numbers

NN068LP
NN068

Labels

Nordic Notes
Not On Label (Trad.Attack! Self-Released)

Listen online

lyssna på nätet
ascolta in linea
écouter en ligne
online luisteren
lytte på nettet
ouvir online
kuunnella verkossa
escuchar en línea
online anhören

Formats

Vinyl
12"
33 ⅓ RPM
LP
Album
Winter Edition
White
CD
Promo

Companies

Role	Company
Mastered At	Chartmakers
Copyright (c)	Trad.Attack!
Phonographic Copyright (p)	Trad.Attack!
Distributed By	Broken Silence
Recorded At	Roundsound
Glass Mastered At	BOD Group

Credits

Role	Credit
Bagpipes	Sandra Sillamaa
Soprano Saxophone	Sandra Sillamaa
Whistle	Sandra Sillamaa
Jew's Harp	Sandra Sillamaa
Vocals	Sandra Sillamaa
Drums	Tõnu Tubli
Mastered By	Minerva Pappi
Recorded By	Rainer Koik
Mixed By	Rainer Koik
Sounds	Rainer Koik
Twelve-String Guitar	Jalmar Vabarna
Arranged By	Trad.Attack!
Layout	Janno Saft
Liner Notes	Janika Oras, Sandra Sillamaa
Photography By	Renee Altrov
Producer	Trad.Attack!
Translated By	Matis Leima

Notes

Winter Edition.
Packaging: Digipak.
© ℗ 2016 Trad.Attack!
Archive recordings are from Estonian Folklore Archives of the Estonian Literary Museum.
Track 1 - Archival recording: Liisa Kümmel (1888-1964), Tori 1961.
Track 2 - Archival recording: Juhan Treilmann (82 a.v/Yo), lisaku 1930.
Track 3 - Text: Leen Peru (1886 - 1974), Mustjala 1960.
Track 5 - Text: Emilia Naarits (1916-2008), Omski obl. 1999.
Track 6 - Archival recording: Leida Laasma (1907-2007), Kodavere 1955.
Track 7 - Archival recording: Agrepina Pihlaste (1892-1968), Setomaa 1967.
Track 9 - Text: Pauline Vapper (1904-2004), Muhu 1958.
Track 9 - Archival recording: Katajjaq from Hudson Bay.
Track 10 - Text: Kadri Tapner (71 a.v/Yo), Püssi 1934.
Track 11 - Archival recording: Anne Vabarna (1877-1964), Setomaa 1959.
Track 12 - Archival recording: Emilie Kõiv (74 a.v/Yo), Põlva 1966.
Logo's:
Kultuuriministerium
Cuu Club Valgusdisain
www.estmusic.com
EEL - Eesti Esitahate Liit
Männiku Metsatalu
ERA
EAU - Eesti Autorite Ühing
Eesti Kultuurkapital
Winner of Estonian Music Awars 2016 - Best Band - Best Album - Best Ethno/Folk Album

Barcodes

Barcode: 4250137206349
Label Code: LC14502
Barcode: 4 250137 215372
Matrix / Runout: 15-07/01468-7349CD
Barcode: 4250137215372

About TradAttack!

Traditional folk band from Estonia.

Name Vars

Trad.Attak!

Members

Sandra Sillamaa
Jalmar Vabarna
Tõnu Tubli

Interesting fact about Album

Did you know that the Estonian music album *Ah* by TradAttack! blends ancient rune singing with modern folk-rock? Released in 2016, it features Sandra Sillamaa playing multiple instruments like bagpipes, saxophone, and even the Jew’s harp. The band mixes traditional Estonian sounds with edgy art rock vibes, creating something truly unique. Tracks like "Must Madu" (Black Snake) and "Peale Päeva" (After The Day) showcase this cool collision of old and new. It’s like hearing history come alive with a twist!

Comments

mybluecup47

2025-03-11

Bravo

mirunnanosenko

2025-03-11

Only just stumbled upon you guys. Wonderful, thanks. I'm in Brisbane and hadn't found you before you played here a few weeks ago. I hope you enjoyed Australia and that you come back soon.

shadowcat17

2025-03-11

Kolmekesi tehtult väga eriliselt, esinemist lõpuni ei suudaks kuulatleda, ühe kaupa alati. ??

latiokmihail

2025-03-11

Really cool. You guys sound very different. And you look and act different. Exciting.

oracyunitmalta

2025-03-10

Man, Sandra, you can really squeeze that seal skin. Way to wail!

slowfooduwmadison

2025-03-10

Зачетненько! Посмотрим как потом..

harase080917

2025-03-10

*_One of my absolute favorites at the Folk Alliance International Conference in Kansas City, MO.!!!_*

_Their show is to not be missed!_

#NewMusic
#FolkAlliance
#AcousticGuitar

-james scott