Embrace of Memory

Being somewhat psyched by this release and especially the band itself, not to mention the drastic increace of urge I got by reading the first (and at this time only) submitted review on this page, I almost jumped through the cealing when I saw the CD in a metal bunker-shop in St. Petersburg, Russia (this band has not yet reached Sweden). The band itself is not Kyrgyz, it is accually operating in the country of Germany (historically, there has been some notable exchange in migration between these countries in both directions). The frontman however, is of Kyrgyz descent, but the nationality of the others are unclear (but they are mostly germans). Why does this matter? Well I'll tell you, Kyrgysztan ist fucking krieg!

Anyhow, the band is claimed to play "Pagan Black Metal", which is my favoruite genre. But I'm not sure this CD is outstandingly "pagan sounding" or folkish. There is some folk instruments (or sound-alikes) but very limited. It's mostly heavy, old-school buzzsaw riffs.

Still, this is a O.K. release. The mixing is in typical "dirty"-sounding, "Burzumesque" style; rough, but not bad. Riffs are solid and classic but offers little unique creations even though the folkish and pagan influences upon the frontman does bring out some moments of freshness with unexpected turns and melody lines. Drumming is not outstanding but very well done. The drummer would fit in any band of modern standards. Straight forward, war-drumming of great consistency and stability, but still no real show-offs. Doubble-pedal keeps pounding alot and all the strikes are in their place. Being a drummer myself, I would say it's maybe not the most stunning performance but it is genius in it's low profile and steadiness. Black metal of this certain type requires not crazy Abigor or Emperor drumming, but a real heavy grinding and steady mid-tempos and this drummer lives up to expectations with good marginals.

Artwork is limited but genuine in style. Lyrics are somewhat poor, but still truly black metal. The clandestine approach of the band and realese adds alot more to the concept of black metal: underground and mystic.

Tracks are quite alike and delivers a flow of destructive black metal, well done and heavy as hell (the base register is waaay up!). Sythesizers are used to limited extent and are mostly perfoming atmosphere than melodies and leads. Cello is used but also very limited. It is not mentioned on this homepage, but it is also supposed to appear some other native kyrgyz instrument(-s), accordingly performed by the frontman himself, but the underground mixing makes it hard to notice something that could not be keyboards as well. Vocals are mixed low and quite indestinct, sounds more like a hiss than a scream even though on closer listening it's more of a scream. Little variation in the vocal parts but not boring. Making out any words is almost impossible. No clean vocals appear on this release. Last track is a cover but I have not heard of the original so it's hard to review that part. It sound like someting that would fit the rest of the record.

Conclusion: It's good, if you find it cheap it's a fail-safe buy. A classic black metal piece, true to it's roots and with a genuine "feel" for the art. But don't get all wet because of the 100% review posted on this page as well; it's good and it's heavy and hard as hell but it's not THAT good. Excellent atmospheric, hypnotic sort of background music but no pary-starter if you catch my drift.

After I've heard the preceding album (Sary Oy) of this kyrgizien band, which was very great anyway, I've got curious about their new album, so I've bought it as soon as I could.

And I can tell only one thing about it: It is totally amazing!!! The shamanistic atmosphere of the whole album is absolutely awesome, in my opinion no other band could do this so authentically as Darkestrah.

The first track called Embrace of Memory is like an intro for the upcoming feelings, it's very dark and frightning with some flutes and a folk instrument playing.

The other songs are all very good midtempo black metal songs with very original riffs. They finally have a real drummer who plays very well, he always succesfully tried to be interesting in drum-themes. The other musicians are done their work well, too. The sounding is as perfect as the music. Everything sounds at the best way it could.

There are two songs which I have to speak separately. The first is called Akyr Zaman, which I've heard in a previous sample version before I get the album, but that was only the second half of the song, and of course the album has the full-length version. It starts with a beautiful intro where a night-time bird and a cello makes melodies, which, after a short while, turns into black metal, but the cello is still playing in the background. The song has a cathartic and sorrowful ending, it's totally incredible.

The other very special song is Marching of the Hordes, which starts with an authentic ancient shamanistic drumming, which has a fascinating feeling with a wolf's howling in the background. Then comes a riff part and the song ends up with a nice keyboard theme.

At the end I can say only that this is one of the best black metal albums I've ever heard, this band is absolutely unique, and they have made their second masterpiece. Hardly recommended!!!