IA is a Finnish metal band drawing inspiration and themes from different shamanic traditions and concepts, featuring Ukri Suvilehto (Abbath) and Jarkko Niemi (Brymir). The IAxperience consists of polyrhythmic patterns, groovy riffs and deep, psychedelic atmospheres combined with the heavy, powerful sound of straight-forward metal, all bathed in blacklights and wrapped in UV-active decorations.

initIAtion is a concept album rooted in different shamanic and mystical traditions, personal experiences and stories. It conveys a tale of the birth of a shaman: from the realization of the inherent inner power to the healing of the self and ultimately to the death and rebirth of the shaman-to-be. It’s a story of a soul’s struggle in fulfilling its inescapable destiny to become a medium between the ordinary and the spirit world. With live shows in mind, the narrative is weaved within progressive drama-driven arrangements and dynamic soundscapes ranging from tranquil meditative moods to ecstatic metal mayhem.

In 2022, IA released their first music video for the single Higher Power from Below. The song is an energetic spell of empowerment consisting of only 12 powerful words. By those words, strength is called from the roots of one’s being and the earth itself to pull one’s spirit from the darkness of ignorance and fear into greater awareness and freedom. The video was produced by the Finnish Riivata Visuals, who have made videos for such artists as Atlas, Fear Factory and VOLA.

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