DRUDKH — Пригорща зірок (Handful of Stars) (review)

DRUDKH — Пригорща зірок (Handful of Stars) album cover Album · 2010 · Atmospheric Black Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
Time Signature
Towards the light...

Genre: alternative (black) metal

I hope I will not offend any Drudkh fans or black metal fans in general with this statement, but I don't think that this is black metal at all. Apart from a couple of slow blastbeats and a slight underproduction, and perhaps the vocal style, I do not detect any black metal here (at least, I cannot fit this release into my stereotypical conception of what black metal sounds like - so, yes, maybe it's time for me to change my music prejudice).

It sounds to me as if Drudkh are drawing much more extensively on a more type of sludgy approach and also on the alternative rock and alternative metal of the 1990s. I certainly hear a lot of elements that remind me of the alternative rock bands of the 1990s such as the use of 8/8 and 16/16 octave chords flowing in harmony, and sometimes disharmony, with the underlying rhythm guitars. Actually, Drudkh are very good at using two guitars on this album, and I like the tension and dynamics between the guitars (that's probably my favorite aspect of this album). There is thus a lot of melancholic melody and atmosphere to this album which makes it quite pleasing to listen to musically.

The tracks are generally long and the listener may easily lose him- or herself in the music, which is not a bad thing at all.

A very interesting album which may, perhaps to their big surprise, appeal to fans of 1990s alternative rock of various types.
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The Angry Scotsman wrote:
more than 2 years ago
Agreed, this is quite distant from black metal IMO. Maybe post metal? It's taken on a more post, agalloch type style in a way. Regardless, I really liked this album and good review!

Interesting points made below about it become "Westernized" this is probably true and the Ukrainian in me aches for the good ol local influence, but bands have to mix it up ya know.


Time Signature wrote:
more than 2 years ago
There are two possible directins. I guess, in the globalization of metal: either it gets localized (infused with elements from the local culture) or it gets 'westernized'. I definitely think that the localization process results in some very interesting music - albeit sometimes sort of alien and difficult to comprehend at first - so it really becomes a learning experience.
Vehemency wrote:
more than 2 years ago
I'm missing all the natural, traditional Ukrainian atmosphere on this release, which makes this album fall into the category of rather generic atmospheric "BM" records without a true identity, somehow... Definitely Drudkh, but unpleasantly westernized. Still need to give this more listens, though, haven't heard it many times due to its negative first impression...
Stooge wrote:
more than 2 years ago
Interesting description. Based on that description, I might enjoy this one even though it deviates from their sound.

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