Sompas​-​Naga (สมภาส นาคา)

One thing that is considered a cultural heritage from the primitive era to the present day is local wisdom. including folk tales that exist in almost every region of Thailand If we study, we will find that it is a source of information on the traditions of the local people. And to show the roots of belief which is considered typical for later generations to trust and follow.

"Sampas Naga" is an album that deals with folk legends in the northeastern Thailand including the story of Naga and the mysterious black magic. This is 2nd studio album from black metal band from Thailand with lyrics in Thai language. This time, the band has a new singer named Suriyakat who, in addition to singing, he also playing "phin" (Thailand's northeastern harp) to make more melancholic atmosphere for the song, and believe it or not, because of the phin that makes this album more special than any album the band has ever made.

I have to say that since I watched the band live at "Uada Live In Bangkok" in 2018 and saw Suriyakat, the new lead singer, carry his phin on stage, since then I have been looking forward to the new Lotus of Darkness album, and almost 3 years of waiting, I can say that I wasn't disappointed.

In Sampas Naga, the band has only 3 members: Suriyakat, lead vocals/phin, Issara guitar/bass, Thinnarat drums. The band calls their music folk black metal because of the local instruments such as the phin is used to play music. But from listening to it, I can smell the atmospheric black metal all around. Part of it comes from the phin, which creates a mysterious, melancholic but beautiful atmosphere and creates a solemn and magical song that tells the story of folk legends as well. And in addition, the playing style of the phin goes well with the riff of the black metal song, so it doesn't look like it presents too much Thainess. But it is a harmonious integration with capability. It's a genius of the band that really "dare" to use it in their own songs.

6 songs, over 57 minutes in length, which means each song is fairly long. Average is 9-10 minutes per song (except one 6-minute instrumental song), but the length doesn't make the song boring at all. Everything comes out smoothly and has dimensions, especially the northeastern melody atmosphere that creates a novelty for the song as well. That makes this 57 minutes seem too short for me.

I think this is another good example of how to combine Thainess with metal music without making it seem to presents too much Thainess. Now, Lotus of Darkness does it well and is worth the word, perfect.