Artist: Drudkh
Title: Eternal Turn Of The Wheel
Genre: Black Metal
Release Date: 24th February 2012
Label: Season Of Mist
Album Review
Just two years after the release of their eighth studio album, Heathen Black Metal artist DRUDKH graces fans with another listen of well charged atmosphere. The band took a bit more time on this album than they did in the past, focusing on a concept of the four seasons in an epic, but well compacted album. Over time it seemed like average fan was beginning to get a bit tired of how rushed the music felt as less and less time was spent between albums while the hardcore believers stuck by no matter what. Here, instead of being a rehash, DRUDKH seem to even take a bit of step back to an older sound of harsh, crisp Black Metal while still adding in the Folk Elements that make them so popular. ‘Eternal Turn Of The Wheel’ begins with the brief acoustic ‘Eternal Circle’, a fine intro for what is to come. Of course ‘Breath Of Cold Black Soil’ is an excellent showcase of what DRUDKH’s staple sound it about. Opening with a fast smattering of drums, quick tremolo picking, and anguished vocals that have a bit more life than the typical Black Metal shriek, DRUDKH can be compared to the likes of groups such as TAAKE and ARCKANUM. The track is epic but has plenty of rhythm to it so it doesn’t feel like it blurs by or relies too much on the same riff over and over. Like many of the tracks here things will slow down halfway or near the end while still remaining harsh and the keyboards (sounding a bit like a bell chime here) can be heard, which certainly help with the atmosphere.
Other tracks like ‘When Gods Leave Their Emerald Halls’ have even more interesting interludes and almost reach that quiet, peaceful acoustic sound that was featured on the introduction. At the same time fans may notice that many of these moments are somewhat repetitive, or sound similar - the guitar interlude on this track sounds almost exactly like what is on ‘Breath Of Cold Black Soil’ - but considering this a concept album it helps the entire album flow together, with only the nature sounds in between certain tracks to serve as pauses, such as footsteps in the snow, crow caws, or other elements that help enhance the Folk elements of the music. The keyboards have a haunting presence that isn’t quite XASTHUR scary but will keep listeners on their toes, such as on ‘Farewell To Autumn’s…’ Overall DRUDKH captures the entire nature theme of the seasons in each track and follows the concept perfectly without being overly cliché such as throwing in chanting clean vocals or violins and mandolins; something a lot of Blackened Folk Metal artists do a bit too much. With the blend they have here both fans of the harsher side of Black Metal can enjoy the music just as much as those who like the softer, more atmospheric side, such as that heard on artists like AGALLOCH.
Tracklist
01. Eternal Circle - 1:17
02. Breath of Cold Black Soil - 10:04
03. When Gods Leave Their Emerald Halls - 9:39
04. Farewell to Autumn's Sorrowful Birds - 8:02
05. Night Woven of Snow, Winds and Grey-Haired Stars - 8:12
Line-up
Roman – guitar
Thurios – vocals, guitar
Krechet – bass
Vlad – drums, keyboards
Website
www.myspace.comdrudkhofficial
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 8
Sound: 8
Total: 8 / 10
Buy the album here!
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