Either Drudkh suffer from a serious case of stylistic ADD, or they’re in the midst of the most elaborate meta-joke in black metal history. Since the Ukrainian quartet don’t grant press photos or interviews, we’re gonna go with the former. Still, the fact remains that with each record, the mystery men have wavered between atmospheric black metal, dreamy post-rock, and even traditional folk. And so it goes, another year, another comment by Rush Limbaugh that will force a collective facepalm from conservatives nationwide, another NCAA men’s basketball tournament that begins with everyone rooting for the Cinderella teams but inevitably ends with either North Carolina, Kentucky, Kansas, Duke, or Connecticut cutting down the nets, and another Drudkh album that varies wildly from its predecessor. It’s an event you can practically set your calendar to, like the changing of the seasons the band so passionately champions.
This time, the joke’s on us, as Eternal Turn of the Wheel not only directly references the seasonal ebb and flow through its four main songs’ subtexts labeled as different months, but it also grabs a title from the band’s debut, Forgotten Legends. It’s an appropriate bit of self-reference given the shift back from the dreamy Alcest-isms of A Handful of Stars to straight black metal. Which means blast beats, and a lot of ‘em. Weird ones, too. Vlad’s time-shifting stick work on “When Gods Leave Their Golden Halls” fulfills the quiet evolution his drumming has been undergoing since early discography highlight’s The Swan Road. It’s the kind of slow burn to full blossom not seen since Aaron Harris’ commanding role on Isis’ In the Absence of Truth, subtle double bass fills, muscular cymbal battery and all.
Which isn’t to say the rest of the band isn’t in fine form, either. If critical opinion dictates Drudkh have been in a slump the past few years (they have), Turn sees them bring back the passion, the intensity, the metal we (read: I) have missed since 2007’s excellent Estrangement. While there aren’t any flashy guitar solos to air-shred along to, this thing’s about 90% out-and-out viciousness, as the nine solid minutes of continuous riffage on the first song proper, “Breath of Black Cold Soil”, so emphatically proves. If you’re of the camp who thinks Drudkh’s elongated take on the genre has been boring from the get-go, Turn won’t do much to change your mind. But if you were a fan and lost your way somewhere along the trail, you’re liable to be nudged back on track after “Night Woven of Snow, Winds and Grey-haired Stars” ends its undulating bass dirge (its audible again!) with alternating gnashing/pretty riffing that’ll make you bypass wishing for the good ol’ days to feeling like they never left.
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HEAR ETERNAL TURN OF THE WHEEL
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Drudkh – “When Gods Leave Their Emerald Halls”
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Drudkh – “Eternal Circle”
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BUY ETERNAL TURN OF THE WHEEL
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I think the ‘decline’ of Drudkh has been over-stated, probably because I thought Microcosmos was an outstanding album. Therefore it was only really Handful of Stars that saw the quality dip for me. In truth I don’t think the new one is as good as Microcosmos but it’s certainly better than Handful. Autumn Aurora still remains their classic.
I like everything they’ve done. Blood in Our Wells is my personal favourite. I understand why Handful of Stars wasn’t better received, but I still like it, even if it is at the bottom of the list. But anyway, Eternal Turn of the Wheel is excellent.
Well shoot, eMusic is selling this album for a whopping $2.45 ($1.96 if I skip the intro track). Probably not going to make my 2012 top 10 list, but at that price how can I resist?
THANK YOU for giving Estrangement the nod in this review. It’s easily one of the greatest Drudkh albums. Good review.
I’m liking what I’m hearing. Swan Road was my introduction, Blood in Our Wells is my favourite and I definitely lost them at Handful of Stars. Looking forward to getting my hands on this.
the production and aggression is definitely a continuation from where estrangement left off. welcome back, drudkh.
I think this is one of the best Drudkh albums, I really liked Blood in Our Wells,
yes there was a small decline, but this album is a real comeback
I never much cared for this band ,i wanted to since they’re totally kvlt n shit, but i really dig this album .amazing stuff.
Eh, I don’t know what it is for me. They just can’t seem to recapture the epic-ness of Blood in Our Wells. Arrangements are bland. This album, and all others since BIOW has been background music.
I should check this out. My favourite Drudkh release would be Forgotten Legends and Anti Urban. I couldn’t really enjoy the more elaborate Drudkh releases.
The album is available on the newly opened Season of Mist Bandcamp!
I added it to Metal Bandcamp here
Ugh, Vlad wasn’t the drummer on The Swan Road, Amorth was.
Also, Handful of Stars is the BEST drudkh album.