Hanoi Masters: War Is a Wound, Peace Is a Scar

Recorded out of a rekindled respect for traditional Vietnamese music, War Is a Wound, Peace Is a Scar compiles some of the most masterful interpreters of the classical Asian compositions with instruments faithful to their 9th century counterparts. With particular respect to the Vietnam War of 40 years past, the 12 songs which make up the record have to do as a celebration of old time customs and respects. Eerie opening track “For the Fallen” is described “a lament to help the soul of a departed person reach heaven”, whereas songs like “The Wind Blows It Away” pays tribute to dead parents, and closer “Taking Your Spirit to the Next World” is in due honor to the death spirit.

Produced by Ian Brennan, the Grammy award winner manages to capture the organic, exotic soul of traditional Vietnamese music to a tee, in no small part thanks to the breadth of talent that he had sought out in the capital city of Hanoi while crafting the record. It clearly is not for everyone, but for those who wish to embrace history for all of its rough edges, or for those who are merely interested in foreign folk songs of old, War Is a Wound, Peace Is a Scar leaves a resounding mark.