Trad.Attack! are a trio from Estonia, where they have acquired near rockstar status by writing songs based on their country’s folk traditions. They have done so by creating a distinctive, sometimes eerie brand of stomping folk-rock that involves unexpected instrumentation including Estonian bagpipes, zither, whistles and jew’s harp, along with guitar and drums. To this they add the ability of switching to instrumentals that have the charm of great Celtic melodies. The best track here is Golden Kings of the Woods, a song designed to “keep wolves away”, based on “wolf incantations from all over Estonia”, now treated with a thumping guitar riff, bagpipes and chanting vocals. The more mellow side of their work is demonstrated by the charming children’s song, Lullaby. Trad.Attack! will be at Womad and could well prove to be the European success of the summer.
