Drudkh – A Furrow Cut Short
I remember when I first heard a creation by Roman Saenko and Thurios, the début Hate Forest full-length album “The Most Ancient Ones” back in 2002, I believe, when the CD version came to light. There was something special about what I heard, the mystery, the imposing atmosphere, I was indeed stunned. And I had this hunger of getting to know more about their works, when I “discovered” Drudkh and its “Forgotten Legends”. Ever since this day, both bands have been among the ones that I regard the most. In 2015, Drudkh returns with “Борозна обірвалася” or “A Furrow Cut Short”, their tenth full-length album in a very prolific and respected career.
Deeply rooted in Ukraine’s culture, the band takes inspiration from 20th century Ukrainian poetry once more, which often deal with the bloody struggle of this old country to build a nation from foreign oppression. And masterfully, Drudkh manages to transmit the struggles through their music. I feel that they draw desolate landscapes throughout their creations, identifying the sorrowful sentiments of the many challenges that their people have faced, but, at the same time, conducting in their compositions feelings of patriotism and pride.
Mesmerizing, that’s the word I believe I would choose to sum up my feelings towards “A Furrow Cut Short”. In my humble opinion, this is, truthfully, one of the best Drudkh releases; utterly alluring and exquisite, you are able to enjoy the hypnotic atmosphere that is truly a trademark of the band. The emotional tremolo riffs are simply breathtaking, mysterious and monumental, crafted with dissonant shapes. It is interesting to see how Drudkh manages to create mystical experiences, as, while listening to “A Furrow Cut Short”, I felt like I was under a spell, savoring all the graceful elements of the harmonies exuded in this work of extreme metal art.
Another aspect that you can sense in “A Furrow Cut Short” is that the music is strikingly beautiful, atmospheric and dense, fierce and soothing, genuine, creative and honest. The epic mood is also to be praised, baronial and elevated, the compositions radiates haunting grandeur. And so are present the melancholy and gloominess of the glorious past of Drudkh. In my modest view, all instruments shine, helping to conceive the enchanting and yet ominous performance.
When it comes to the production of “A Furrow Cut Short”, the work here is also splendid. All very well-recorded, mixed as well as well balanced, which obviously turns the whole listening experience into an even more pleasurable. So, my dear friends, these are my sincere thoughts about Drudkh’s latest album. I am highly impressed with it and invite you all to check their music, which is being streamed legally and, if you like it, please, I urge you all to support and, if you can, promote in any way this band.
Until next time.
Grade: 10/10
Band: Drudkh
Album: Борозна обірвалася (A Furrow Cut Short) (2015)
Label: Season of Mist
Tracklist:
- Прокляті сини I (Cursed Sons I)
- Прокляті сини II (Cursed Sons II)
- Епосі нескорених поетів (To the Epoch of Unbowed Poets)
- Тліючий попіл (Embers)
- Безчестя I (Dishonour I)
- Безчестя II (Dishonour II)
- Поки не засиплють чужою землею очі (Till Foreign Ground Shall Cover Eyes)
Drudkh is:
Krechet – Bass, Keyboards
Roman Saenko – Guitars, Bass
Thurios – Vocals, Keyboards
Vlad – Drums, Keyboards
Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Drudkh.Official
Official Bandcamp: https://drudkh.bandcamp.com/
All photos belong to their rightful owners.
April 20, 2015