28 March 2024

Draugnim – Vulturine

[schema type=”review” name=”Draugnim – Vulturine ” description=”Label: Debemur Morti Productions” author=”Basak Günel” pubdate=”11-03-2016″ ]

Draugnim is a blackened pagan metal band from Finland. Founded in 1999, the band started out as a one-man project by Morior. They have gone through many line-up changes, struggled with demo recordings and even split in 2004…. However, they have been rocking since 2007 with the 3 core members of the band. Their latest album “Vulturine” has been released this month!

Filled with atmospheric and melodic songs, “Vulturine” definitely pays tribute to the old pagan metal era but also keeps up with the pagan/black metal scene. The songs are just in the right dose; they are not too long and will satisfy the listeners who want to just close their eyes and get lost in the darkness of the music. The record is also dynamic in a way; although the tempo is not too fast most of the time, the brutality in the vocals forms this dynamic approach of the record. One thing that I noticed was the similarity of the band’s sound with some big names like Moonsorrow. However, the band has been active since 1999 and it might be fair to say that they have been around for a long time and they have a solid style and sound that has been formed.

Soundwise, the album’s production is quite raw for a record like this. I guess this was intended somehow; this gives the album its ‘return to the roots’ approach. I also found the harmony of the instruments – especially the synths and the guitars- quite nice. The vocals did not captivate me as much though; I always look for that spark and for me, the synths/keyboards did the trick. More choir and even clean vocals could have been perfect but nevertheless, I enjoyed the record overall! Especially considering the fact that the band has had many ups and downs, this record shows that they are motivated and do it from the heart!

“Vulturine” is pagan/black metal to the bone! Definitely recommended to the lovers of the genre.

Line-up:
Turms – bass
Morior – guitars, keyboards
Chimedra – vocals

 draugnim Tracklist:
01. That Name Is Hate
02. As In Hunger, So In Demise
03. A Passage In Fire
04. Grief Unsung
05. Drums of Black Death
06. Serpent Stone

Links:
Draugnim Facebook