Drudkh – Shadow play 8/10
From the Whispering winds of Ukraine is Drudkh, an atmospheric pagan black metal entity that invites you to a realm where the boundaries between the corporeal and the ethereal blur. Shadow play is their twelfth all-encompassing release that is evocative and emotive.
Capturing the essence of life’s fragility, its origins and ultimately its ending. ‘’April “and its duality captures this beautifully, Shadow Play is an album that captures the essence of second-wave black metal and pagan influences with its sharp edges and bleakness yet where power of the riff and its repetition creates a hypnic atmosphere that is undeniable as the connection to the seasons and to life . ‘’Fallen Blossom” continues the build towards the inevitable crescendo and poignancy. There is an underlying tension within the album that lurks and surfaces in the rhythms, the at times murky production requires repeated listens and perhaps that is the intent, Drudkh don’t make albums for casual listening, they are immersive thought-provoking pieces of extreme black metal art that take commitment and concentration. Epic closer ‘’The Thirst “concludes the cycle, its poetry given voice by the throat of Thurios.
Shadow Play adds to the mystery and allure that is Drudkh, confrontational where the individual must confront the shadows and accept the fleeting beauty of time passing. Explorative and expansive, the hidden melodies within the mid-tempo black metal are but brief glimmers of light cast amongst the darkness and bleak atmosphere. Illuminating, introspective and part revelatory Shadow Play is its own unique experience.
Khors – Letters to the Future Self 8/10
Khors is one of Ukraine’s long-standing Black metal bands. Letters To the Future Self is their eighth magnum opus, with work beginning on it in 2021 and it carries the voices of those for whom time has stopped forever in 2022.
Composed against a backdrop of constant violence and war , there is a palpable tension that runs thick throughout Letters to the Future Self, from the opener “On the Wings of Despair and Burning Enmity” with its speed tempered by a strong sense of melancholy. ‘’Another Year “offers a different vocal approach with the clean vocals echoing the personal thoughts and feelings, it’s a gradual crescendo of clean picking and double kicks, with a strong presence of pure metal ethos. “Perseverance is the Essence’’ is another highlight with the varying vocal patterns and strong arrangement, the keyboards are ever present yet not overbearing, it’s tough and dynamic that “Zimeyevi Valy” takes it to the next level with its excellent combination of blast beats and harmonies. Its melodious yet never weak built around an almost classical composition that burns with an intensity that the subject matter demands. “Gods are Watching” is simply Epic stuff and Pure Khors with its ability to surprise yet never lose focus with its excellent musicianship and ability to surprise
Uncompromising, honest and challenging, Khors have created a unique though provoking piece of art that reflects their environment and the band’s own dark atmosphere. Letters To the Future Self is a candle of remembrance and a burning flame against oppression. Recoomended!
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