Sovvaļnīks releases fourth studio album “Cārtumi” – shift to acoustic sound
The Latgalian heavy music project Sovvaļnīks has released its fourth studio album “Cārtumi”, marking a significant departure from previous heavy metal towards acoustic compositions.
Sovvaļnīks, one of the most interesting projects on the Latvian heavy music scene, has released its fourth studio album “Cārtumi”. The album represents a notable musical shift – unlike previous recordings based on heavy metal, the new work is acoustic. The review notes that the album “sonically contrasts with the rest of the discography, making it more diverse”. The album title “Cārtumi” is a lesser-known Latgalian word, following the tradition of using such words for album names.
The album includes several songs that have been heard in concerts before. The song “...i vīns” (listed as “Miersi pādejais” on the recording) is described as the most emotionally powerful, despite its structural simplicity, without heavy chords or screaming. Its lyrics were written by Oskars Seiksts. The opening track “Karaļs” features a hypnotic tremolo riff and a text by Arvis Viguls translated into Latgalian by Valentīns Lukaševičs.
Also included is an acoustic version of the song “Nav tuoļuok kur īt”, which originally appeared on the second album “Bolts susātivs” in standard Latvian. In a 2023 interview, Ingars Gusāns revealed that this was a mistake during the printing process. The new version is performed acoustically and is considered emotionally deeper.
Notably, the song “Ar Reigys morāli” is called the “anthem of Rogovka”, while “Izmyrušuo vīta” surprises with a piano–vocal dialogue, without guitar, introducing a ballad element previously absent from the project’s discography. The song “Marejis teirums” with lyrics by Anna Rancāne contrasts instrumental minimalism with heavy words.
The closing track “Es eimu” is described as the conceptually most successful choice for the album’s end, featuring a falsetto that is less prominent in the recorded version than in live performances. The album release coincides with the 18th anniversary of Sovvaļnīks. The physical CD is available on Bandcamp. A jubilee concert “Sovvaļnīkam 18” will take place on September 25 at the Latgale venue “Gors”.
