by Frank MacEowen
January 29, 2005
In THE SHAMAN'S HEART, virtuoso percussionist Byron Metcalf takes us on a potent journey into the archetypal depths of shamanic awakening. Blending poly-rhythmic percussion and the hot spark of shaman's rattles with rainsticks, didgeridoos, the sound of wind, the grokking of ravens, and supported by the sonic wizardry of Steve Roach, THE SHAMAN'S HEART will carry the listener into that place of ancestral memory where the Ancient Ones beckon us to remember the crackling fires, deep forests, and ceremonial caverns where the shaman's heart was originally born. Whatever our cultural or ancestral background we all have ancestors who were shamans and shamanic practitioners. In THE SHAMAN'S HEART we are reminded of this powerful spirit in each of us; a spirit that is needed on the planet, now more than ever.
 
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Byron Metcalf (with Steve Roach) 2005 Dr. BAM's Music DBM003 (CD) – 2010 Digipak re-release Reviewed by Frank MacEowen, Hypnos Forum, Wind and Wire This is a powerful and unique rhythmic and soundworld trance experience based on the traditional structures of shamanic drumming used for altering states of awareness. The entire journey is built using a collection of buffalo drums, frame drums and rattles. Presented as a continuous, unfolding rhythmic state, starting with lone peyote rattles and evolving into mandala-like polyrhythmic bliss. Through it all is a shapeshifting undercurrent of essential soundworlds specifically provided to create support for the intrepid inner traveler. This is unlike any of the solo or collaborations from Byron and Steve. Byron Metcalf: Buffalo drums, bear & peyote rattles, udu & clay pot, frame drums, hybrid toms, various shamanic percussion (seed pods, beads, shells, pottery & stone), spirit winds, hoasca sounds. Steve Roach: Analog and digital soundworlds, didgeridoo, ocarinas. (Additional shamanic percussion on track 5.) Produced, Recorded, Mixed & Mastered by Byron Metcalf at The Lair, Prescott, Arizona. Ravens and other nature sounds recorded by Byron Metcalf. Steve's parts recorded at The Raven's Nest, Tucson, Arizona.
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