Sevas Tra

Wikipedia - Recent changes [en] - Thursday, April 30, 2026

Composition: Typo fixing, replaced: deciption → depiction

← Previous revision Revision as of 15:55, 30 April 2026 Line 40: Line 40: Once writing was completed, Otep travelled to Seattle to begin recording ''Sevas Tra'' with producer [[Terry Date]] at [[Studio Litho]] in October 2001.<ref name=":12" /> Date first expressed interest in working with the band after seeing them perform at a private showcase for Capitol Records;<ref name=":7" /> Shamaya said they wanted to work with him as they "thought he would be the right person to find our distinctive sound".{{Sfn|Larsson|2002|p=59}} The first song Shamaya recorded vocals for was "Jonestown Tea", which she completed in one take following three attempts in a room lit by a single candle.{{Sfn|Campagna|2002|p=33}} Shamaya said she almost had an emotional breakdown recording the rest of the album following the song, but believed that the experience "might have helped in some aspects, that I know the things that were said and done on [the] record were real."{{Sfn|Campagna|2002|p=33}} Following additional recording and mixing sessions at the [[Record Plant]] in Hollywood<ref name="Liners" /> in November 2001,{{Sfn|Toazted.com|2002|loc=1:44–2:00}} ''Sevas Tra'' was completed in March 2002.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2002-03-13 |title=News |url=http://www.otepsaves.com/otep_news.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020607145152/http://www.otepsaves.com/otep_news.html |archive-date=June 7, 2002 |access-date=2025-08-23 |website=otepsaves.com |url-status=live }} To find relevant text, inspecting the page elements and searching for the content in question is required.</ref> Once writing was completed, Otep travelled to Seattle to begin recording ''Sevas Tra'' with producer [[Terry Date]] at [[Studio Litho]] in October 2001.<ref name=":12" /> Date first expressed interest in working with the band after seeing them perform at a private showcase for Capitol Records;<ref name=":7" /> Shamaya said they wanted to work with him as they "thought he would be the right person to find our distinctive sound".{{Sfn|Larsson|2002|p=59}} The first song Shamaya recorded vocals for was "Jonestown Tea", which she completed in one take following three attempts in a room lit by a single candle.{{Sfn|Campagna|2002|p=33}} Shamaya said she almost had an emotional breakdown recording the rest of the album following the song, but believed that the experience "might have helped in some aspects, that I know the things that were said and done on [the] record were real."{{Sfn|Campagna|2002|p=33}} Following additional recording and mixing sessions at the [[Record Plant]] in Hollywood<ref name="Liners" /> in November 2001,{{Sfn|Toazted.com|2002|loc=1:44–2:00}} ''Sevas Tra'' was completed in March 2002.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2002-03-13 |title=News |url=http://www.otepsaves.com/otep_news.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020607145152/http://www.otepsaves.com/otep_news.html |archive-date=June 7, 2002 |access-date=2025-08-23 |website=otepsaves.com |url-status=live }} To find relevant text, inspecting the page elements and searching for the content in question is required.</ref> == Composition == == Composition == Music critics categorized ''Sevas Tra'' as [[nu metal]],{{Sfn|Popoff|Perri|2011}}{{Sfn|Frampton|2002}} [[death metal]],<ref name="PlayLouder" /><ref name="MTV">{{cite web |last=Kaufman |first=Gil |date=August 16, 2002 |title=Otep Challenges Corey Taylor, Jonathan Davis To Poetry Slam |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1457071/otep-challenges-corey-taylor-jonathan-davis-to-poetry-slam/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150326175418/http://www.mtv.com/news/1457071/otep-challenges-corey-taylor-jonathan-davis-to-poetry-slam/ |archive-date=March 26, 2015 |access-date=2015-11-13 |website=[[MTV News]]}}</ref>{{sfn|Boyce|2002}} and [[gothic metal]].<ref name="AM" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Cooper |first=Ali |date=2021-12-02 |title=20 nü-metal bands that defined the late '90s and early 2000s |url=https://www.altpress.com/nu-metal-bands-that-defined-the-late-90s-and-early-2000s/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626013259/https://www.altpress.com/nu-metal-bands-that-defined-the-late-90s-and-early-2000s/ |archive-date=2022-06-26 |access-date=2025-08-12 |website=[[Alternative Press (magazine)|Alternative Press]] |language=en-US}}</ref> Shamaya disliked many of the labels attached to Otep and preferred to categorize the band as "art-core".<ref name=":11" /> Jason Bracelin of the ''[[Cleveland Scene]]'' likened the album to "[[Sylvia Plath]] fronting a death-metal band."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bracelin |first=Jason |date=2002-07-31 |title=Wake and Bake |url=https://www.clevescene.com/music/wake-and-bake-1480001 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208090006/https://www.clevescene.com/music/wake-and-bake-1480001 |archive-date=2022-12-08 |access-date=2025-08-20 |website=[[Cleveland Scene]] |language=en}}</ref> Its songs are marked by raw guitars,{{Sfn|Steele|2002}} rhythmic bass and drums<ref name=":5" /> utilizing [[Bass drum#Double bass drum|double-bass]],{{Sfn|Steele|2002}} and aggressive vocals that alternate between various styles{{Sfn|Stredan|2002}} including growling, screaming,<ref name="AM" />{{sfn|Boyce|2002}} rapping,<ref name=":1">{{cite web |last=Niccum |first=Jon |date=August 16, 2002 |title=Otep adjusts to being sole female artist on Ozzfest |url=http://www.lawrence.com/news/2002/aug/16/otep_adjusts/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041229023639/http://www.lawrence.com/news/2002/aug/16/otep_adjusts/ |archive-date=2004-12-29 |access-date=2015-11-13 |website=[[Lawrence Journal-World]]}}</ref>{{Sfn|Forgach|2003}} whispering,<ref name=":11" /> and [[spoken word]].{{Sfn|Forgach|2003}}<ref name=":5" /> Shamaya's lyrics, which reflect her personal experiences and opinions,{{Sfn|Larsson|2002|p=59}} address topics including [[sexual abuse]],<ref name="MTV" /><ref name=":4" /> [[incest]],{{Sfn|Stredan|2002}} [[organized religion]],<ref name=":4" /> survival, anger and vulnerability,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Matt |date=2002-02-28 |title=Interview with Otep Shamaya, singer of Otep |url=http://www.digital-noise.net/interviews/otep.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050225195736/http://www.digital-noise.net/interviews/otep.php |archive-date=2005-02-25 |access-date=2025-08-23 |website=Digital Noise Network}}</ref> and include references to [[Myth|mythology]]<ref name="MTV" /> and aincent cultures.<ref name="PlayLouder" /> Though she wrote the lyrics in a non-specific way so that listeners could form their own meanings to the songs,{{Sfn|Campagna|2002|p=34}} Shamaya intended ''Sevas Tra'' to give people a sense of empowerment{{Sfn|Campagna|2002|p=32}} and inspire them to believe they can be something outside of society-dictated roles and identities.{{Sfn|Ratner|2002b}} The album's title is an [[anagram]] for "art saves";<ref name="MTV" /> in an interview with ''Rag Magazine'', Shamaya credited creating art with preventing her from hurting herself or others and allowing her to become the person they were today.<ref name=":8" /> The cover art of ''Sevas Tra'', designed by Shamaya and [[P. R. Brown]],<ref name=":7" /> presents a "grotesque" deciption of Otep intended to appear like a [[Hieronymus Bosch]]-style [[Triptych|triptcyh]] and reflect its themes of "being reborn as your own creature from the things that are trying to destroy you".{{Sfn|Richardson|2002}} Music critics categorized ''Sevas Tra'' as [[nu metal]],{{Sfn|Popoff|Perri|2011}}{{Sfn|Frampton|2002}} [[death metal]],<ref name="PlayLouder" /><ref name="MTV">{{cite web |last=Kaufman |first=Gil |date=August 16, 2002 |title=Otep Challenges Corey Taylor, Jonathan Davis To Poetry Slam |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1457071/otep-challenges-corey-taylor-jonathan-davis-to-poetry-slam/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150326175418/http://www.mtv.com/news/1457071/otep-challenges-corey-taylor-jonathan-davis-to-poetry-slam/ |archive-date=March 26, 2015 |access-date=2015-11-13 |website=[[MTV News]]}}</ref>{{sfn|Boyce|2002}} and [[gothic metal]].<ref name="AM" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Cooper |first=Ali |date=2021-12-02 |title=20 nü-metal bands that defined the late '90s and early 2000s |url=https://www.altpress.com/nu-metal-bands-that-defined-the-late-90s-and-early-2000s/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626013259/https://www.altpress.com/nu-metal-bands-that-defined-the-late-90s-and-early-2000s/ |archive-date=2022-06-26 |access-date=2025-08-12 |website=[[Alternative Press (magazine)|Alternative Press]] |language=en-US}}</ref> Shamaya disliked many of the labels attached to Otep and preferred to categorize the band as "art-core".<ref name=":11" /> Jason Bracelin of the ''[[Cleveland Scene]]'' likened the album to "[[Sylvia Plath]] fronting a death-metal band."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bracelin |first=Jason |date=2002-07-31 |title=Wake and Bake |url=https://www.clevescene.com/music/wake-and-bake-1480001 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208090006/https://www.clevescene.com/music/wake-and-bake-1480001 |archive-date=2022-12-08 |access-date=2025-08-20 |website=[[Cleveland Scene]] |language=en}}</ref> Its songs are marked by raw guitars,{{Sfn|Steele|2002}} rhythmic bass and drums<ref name=":5" /> utilizing [[Bass drum#Double bass drum|double-bass]],{{Sfn|Steele|2002}} and aggressive vocals that alternate between various styles{{Sfn|Stredan|2002}} including growling, screaming,<ref name="AM" />{{sfn|Boyce|2002}} rapping,<ref name=":1">{{cite web |last=Niccum |first=Jon |date=August 16, 2002 |title=Otep adjusts to being sole female artist on Ozzfest |url=http://www.lawrence.com/news/2002/aug/16/otep_adjusts/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041229023639/http://www.lawrence.com/news/2002/aug/16/otep_adjusts/ |archive-date=2004-12-29 |access-date=2015-11-13 |website=[[Lawrence Journal-World]]}}</ref>{{Sfn|Forgach|2003}} whispering,<ref name=":11" /> and [[spoken word]].{{Sfn|Forgach|2003}}<ref name=":5" /> Shamaya's lyrics, which reflect her personal experiences and opinions,{{Sfn|Larsson|2002|p=59}} address topics including [[sexual abuse]],<ref name="MTV" /><ref name=":4" /> [[incest]],{{Sfn|Stredan|2002}} [[organized religion]],<ref name=":4" /> survival, anger and vulnerability,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Matt |date=2002-02-28 |title=Interview with Otep Shamaya, singer of Otep |url=http://www.digital-noise.net/interviews/otep.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050225195736/http://www.digital-noise.net/interviews/otep.php |archive-date=2005-02-25 |access-date=2025-08-23 |website=Digital Noise Network}}</ref> and include references to [[Myth|mythology]]<ref name="MTV" /> and aincent cultures.<ref name="PlayLouder" /> Though she wrote the lyrics in a non-specific way so that listeners could form their own meanings to the songs,{{Sfn|Campagna|2002|p=34}} Shamaya intended ''Sevas Tra'' to give people a sense of empowerment{{Sfn|Campagna|2002|p=32}} and inspire them to believe they can be something outside of society-dictated roles and identities.{{Sfn|Ratner|2002b}} The album's title is an [[anagram]] for "art saves";<ref name="MTV" /> in an interview with ''Rag Magazine'', Shamaya credited creating art with preventing her from hurting herself or others and allowing her to become the person they were today.<ref name=":8" /> The cover art of ''Sevas Tra'', designed by Shamaya and [[P. R. Brown]],<ref name=":7" /> presents a "grotesque" depiction of Otep intended to appear like a [[Hieronymus Bosch]]-style [[Triptych|triptcyh]] and reflect its themes of "being reborn as your own creature from the things that are trying to destroy you".{{Sfn|Richardson|2002}}

"Blood Pigs" is about "betrayal and punishment".<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Raizerblades |date=2004-01-05 |title=Otep Interview |url=http://www.growinglotus.com/interview/otep |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040212032245/http://burninthepit.com/Pages/INTERVIEWGrowinglotus.html |archive-date=February 12, 2004 |access-date=2025-08-10 |website=Growing Lotus |via=burninthepit.com }}</ref> Sean Richardson of [[The Phoenix (newspaper)|''The Boston Phoenix'']] remarked that the song was "as ferocious and ugly as commercial rock gets".{{Sfn|Richardson|2002}} "T.R.I.C." combines hip hop and death metal{{Sfn|Richardson|2002}} and features references to [[David and Goliath]], [[Babylon]], and [[Armageddon]].{{Sfn|Kosek|2023|p=286}} "My Confession" sees Shamaya outline her insecurities before exploding into "purposeful anger and exudes strength", according to Amy Steele of ''[[The Boston Globe]]''.{{Sfn|Steele|2002}} "Sacreliege" and "Battle Ready" are both hip-hop influenced songs<ref name="AM" /> that attack organized religion.<ref name="MTV" /><ref name=":2" /> Shamaya viewed the latter as a call for "artistic solidarity";{{Sfn|Campagna|2002|p=34}} Gil Kaufman of ''[[MTV News]]'' considered it an anthem for Otep's fanbase, the Shadow Soldiers.<ref name="MTV" /> "Emtee" details abuse<ref name="MTV" /> amidst eerie vocals and melodies.{{Sfn|Steele|2002}} "Thots" is an improvised [[Jam session|jam]] stemming from a beat played by Bistany{{Sfn|Campagna|2002|p=34}} similar in style to the ''Jihad'' track "Germ",{{Sfn|Larsson|2002|p=58}} over which Shamaya gives her thoughts on the perpetrators of the [[September 11 attacks]] and "people that do the same sort of attacks on a smaller scale on their own communities every day".<ref>{{Cite web |last=G. |first=Ben |date=2007-05-10 |title=Interview with Otep Shamaya |url=https://www.metalunderground.com/interviews/details.cfm?newsid=26113 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012184646/https://www.metalunderground.com/interviews/details.cfm?newsid=26113 |archive-date=2007-10-12 |access-date=2025-09-03 |website=Metal Underground}}</ref> "Blood Pigs" is about "betrayal and punishment".<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Raizerblades |date=2004-01-05 |title=Otep Interview |url=http://www.growinglotus.com/interview/otep |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040212032245/http://burninthepit.com/Pages/INTERVIEWGrowinglotus.html |archive-date=February 12, 2004 |access-date=2025-08-10 |website=Growing Lotus |via=burninthepit.com }}</ref> Sean Richardson of [[The Phoenix (newspaper)|''The Boston Phoenix'']] remarked that the song was "as ferocious and ugly as commercial rock gets".{{Sfn|Richardson|2002}} "T.R.I.C." combines hip hop and death metal{{Sfn|Richardson|2002}} and features references to [[David and Goliath]], [[Babylon]], and [[Armageddon]].{{Sfn|Kosek|2023|p=286}} "My Confession" sees Shamaya outline her insecurities before exploding into "purposeful anger and exudes strength", according to Amy Steele of ''[[The Boston Globe]]''.{{Sfn|Steele|2002}} "Sacreliege" and "Battle Ready" are both hip-hop influenced songs<ref name="AM" /> that attack organized religion.<ref name="MTV" /><ref name=":2" /> Shamaya viewed the latter as a call for "artistic solidarity";{{Sfn|Campagna|2002|p=34}} Gil Kaufman of ''[[MTV News]]'' considered it an anthem for Otep's fanbase, the Shadow Soldiers.<ref name="MTV" /> "Emtee" details abuse<ref name="MTV" /> amidst eerie vocals and melodies.{{Sfn|Steele|2002}} "Thots" is an improvised [[Jam session|jam]] stemming from a beat played by Bistany{{Sfn|Campagna|2002|p=34}} similar in style to the ''Jihad'' track "Germ",{{Sfn|Larsson|2002|p=58}} over which Shamaya gives her thoughts on the perpetrators of the [[September 11 attacks]] and "people that do the same sort of attacks on a smaller scale on their own communities every day".<ref>{{Cite web |last=G. |first=Ben |date=2007-05-10 |title=Interview with Otep Shamaya |url=https://www.metalunderground.com/interviews/details.cfm?newsid=26113 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012184646/https://www.metalunderground.com/interviews/details.cfm?newsid=26113 |archive-date=2007-10-12 |access-date=2025-09-03 |website=Metal Underground}}</ref>