Drudkh - A Furrow Cut Short (2015) [FLAC] V01dV

Drudkh is a Ukrainian metal band that mixes elements of folk metal and black metal. They were formed by Roman Saenko, prolific metal musician, the leading member of Hate Forest, Dark Ages and Blood of Kingu; Thurios, the leading member of Astrofaes and, with Saenko, a former member of Hate Forest; and Yuriy Synytsky, of Lucifugum (session drummer) and Definition Sane. Their lyrical contents embrace Slavic mythology, seasons and poetry. Many of the band's lyrics are derived from the works of nineteenth- and twentieth-century Ukrainian poets, especially Taras Shevchenko.

Drudkh have been particularly secretive throughout the course of their career, even for a black metal band, giving no interviews and not releasing the lyrics to several of their albums. They have also disavowed radical politics.

From their conception until 2009, Drudkh did not have any official website, but in May 2009 Season of Mist launched an official Myspace, operated not by bandmates, but by workers of the label.


Drudkh Bandcamp





2015 A Furrow Cut Short


Tracklist:

1. Прокляті Сини I
2. Прокляті Сини II
3. Епосі Нескорених Поетів
4. Тліючий Попіл
5. Безчестя I
6. Безчестя II
7. Поки Не Засиплють Чужою Землею Очі

Label: Season of Mist


If there is one black metal album in 2015 you have to get your hand on it’s this one. Thurios proves he can do no wrong taking over the vocals teaming up again with the usual suspects, Roman Sayenko also on guitar, Krechet on bass and Vlad on drums and keyboards. These fine musicians brought out my favourite black metal album of last year with their other band Blood of Kingu, with the cleverly titled, Dark Star on the Right Horn of the Crescent Moon. I didn’t think it was possible, but this album may be just as good if not slightly better.

This is black metal in its truest form, you won’t find no clean singing here. Drudkh don’t do interviews, take photos or perform live. Roman is inspired in his lyrics from 20th century Ukrainian poetry, dealing with the bloody struggle of this old country to build a nation from foreign oppression. The band let the music do the talking with well-constructed compositions. Here we have 7 faultless black metal tracks.

Thurios gives a powerhouse performance on his screams from the get go, the rest of the band giving their all creating a real deep soundscape. Roman and Thurios lay down some pulverising riffs on the guitar. There is so much to take in. First two tracks, Cursed Sons I, and Cursed Sons II, make way for what is sure to be an epic album.

Blast-beats continue with third track, To the Epoch of Unbowed Poets. This is a very emotional track and it differs from Cursed Sons. Vlad is a beast behind the kit and Kretchet can be heard pummelling away on the bass. The song has a strong groove to it three quarters in and it leads up nicely to the shortest song on the album, still going for just under six and a half minutes, being Embers. Most songs just go under the ten minute mark. This is a more upbeat number and will have you banging your head. Those distinct riffs provided by both Roman and Thurios create that evil feel and it is something you only feel from black metal, Drudkh in particular.

For just under the next twenty minutes Dishonour I and Dishonour II kick in, which is probably my favourite part of the album at the moment and this record has not left my player since I received it. These are the two songs I keep coming back to. Don’t get me wrong the album has to be heard in full, but these songs are DRUDKH at their ferocious best. The way Thurios delivers his screams is straight from the black metal heart. All band members can be heard. Kretchet shines through belting away on the bass while Vlad gives some of his best drum work. The guitar riff on Dishonour II is infectious.

Ending with a cracker of a track, Till Foreign Ground Shall Cover Eyes, Drudkh let you know they aren’t letting anyone off that easily. High praises to Drudkh for releasing black metal the way it should be.