Drudkh – Autumn Aurora

I am looking for a copy of this Supernal pressing on CD. If anybody has one for sale please dm me. thanks.

we need a lp rp with the original artwork !

I was introduced to Drudkh by none other than Vinterbris’ vocalist, after doing an interview with him earlier this year. They have a vast number of albums, and their style is greatly varied. A well welcomed addition to important bands to me. I have spent some time listening through all of them, and this has become my favourite release so far. It was the second album under the Drudkh moniker, and the first to utilize synthesizers to enhance the sound.

Being from Ukraine, naturally I thought of the distant howls of the Carpathian Forest when I prepped my ears for listening. And I was not disappointed. An introductory guitar strumming along to a set of chirping birds sets off the album, hinting at the bands past appearance in Hate Forest. A gentle melody is repeated before it fades away to the chirping.
“Summoning of the Rain” starts with a synth overlay along with drums to drive the song forward. After a while the guitar sound is altered, becoming a shred fest with a very special sound to it. It’s a mix of a cry in agony and a statement of importance. After a while, the core melody becoming appearent: A droning guitar over somewhat chaotic drums. The resulting sound is something that make me bob my head, close my eyes, and enjoy the wall of sound that washes over me. When the vicious vocals of Thurios penetrates my ears, I can sense the sorrow and futility, yet the lyrics remain a mystery. The addition of a synth makes this release sound more dense than the previous material. Of course there’s a level of variety on display; on several occasions the instrumentation takes a step down in density, and gives way to beautiful acoustic guitar solo sections.

What amazes me with Drudkh are their level of diversity. I’ve sat through all their albums, and not once has it become tedious. Some of the songs incorporate folky, almost danceable, themes, and others maintain a rougher style more Black Metal sounding. And of course there’s the slow, droney pieces that takes me far away. To the point; I feel this is the album that incorporates most of the musical aspects that I like. It’s a sincere, yet playful approach to the genre. A blend of tastes that stands out from the rest. The droney, raw, metallic guitars are ever present, and Thurios shouts angrily in a perfect contrast to the toned down instruments.

The closing track is a fix for melancholy, as I am gently swept away on a blanket of shreds unto the world beyond this. A tranquil melody haunts me as I journey into the new realm. I feel myself drifting farther and farther away from consciousness, hypnotized by the elegant melody. My eyes are getting heavier, and as this journey comes to an end I find myself in a state of awe.

This is not an album you’d want to miss out on. Drudkh in their finest hour, at their darkest, most sincere. The overhanging darkness is a constant reminder of this, even though the instrumentation’s playfulness suggests otherwise.