Drudkh Estrangement
Supernal Music FERLY049 August 31, 2007
By Jason Jordan
Another year, another Drudkh album, eh? Not that Im complaining, but it has come to the point where these workaholic Ukrainians should consider resting on their laurels for a spell. With that out of the way, Estrangement is interesting insofar as its more in tune with their early efforts Forgotten Legends and Autumn Aurora, rather than The Swan Road, Blood in Our Wells, and acoustic offshoot Songs of Grief and Solitude. Though a worthwhile endeavor, Estrangement isnt the gem of their collection.
Except for the moving, four-minute Only the Wind Remembers My Name, which brings the ceremony to a close, the others Solitary Endless Path, Skies at Our Feet, and Where Horizons End each last upwards of 11 minutes. And if youre keen on Drudkh already, theres honestly nothing here that hasnt been explored previously. There are still numerous, lengthy instrumental sections, and, unfortunately, a few instances that are too loose for comfort portions of the last two minutes of Skies at Our Feet particularly. Though the guitar solos are underwhelming on the whole, the bass shines through like it never has before. Drudkh remain atmospheric, emotive, and rousing, nevetheless.
Estrangement may seem like the logical conclusion to the legacy, but its impact essentially boils down to which Drudkh era you prefer. Chances are, if you cling to FL and AA, this will be more rewarding to you than to those who swear by TSR and BiOW. There are anomalies of course, though I must admit Id place myself in the latter camp. I greatly enjoyed the direction they were pursuing on Blood in Our Wells, and feel they should continue to move with it, but thats evidently not in the cards.
Official Supernal Music Website
Supernal Music FERLY049 August 31, 2007
By Jason Jordan
Another year, another Drudkh album, eh? Not that Im complaining, but it has come to the point where these workaholic Ukrainians should consider resting on their laurels for a spell. With that out of the way, Estrangement is interesting insofar as its more in tune with their early efforts Forgotten Legends and Autumn Aurora, rather than The Swan Road, Blood in Our Wells, and acoustic offshoot Songs of Grief and Solitude. Though a worthwhile endeavor, Estrangement isnt the gem of their collection.
Except for the moving, four-minute Only the Wind Remembers My Name, which brings the ceremony to a close, the others Solitary Endless Path, Skies at Our Feet, and Where Horizons End each last upwards of 11 minutes. And if youre keen on Drudkh already, theres honestly nothing here that hasnt been explored previously. There are still numerous, lengthy instrumental sections, and, unfortunately, a few instances that are too loose for comfort portions of the last two minutes of Skies at Our Feet particularly. Though the guitar solos are underwhelming on the whole, the bass shines through like it never has before. Drudkh remain atmospheric, emotive, and rousing, nevetheless.
Estrangement may seem like the logical conclusion to the legacy, but its impact essentially boils down to which Drudkh era you prefer. Chances are, if you cling to FL and AA, this will be more rewarding to you than to those who swear by TSR and BiOW. There are anomalies of course, though I must admit Id place myself in the latter camp. I greatly enjoyed the direction they were pursuing on Blood in Our Wells, and feel they should continue to move with it, but thats evidently not in the cards.
Official Supernal Music Website
