Much like exalted labels such as Dark Descent, Norma Evangelium Diaboli, Daemon Worship and Eisenwald, Debemur Morti are one of those stables that simply demand attention. Applying rigorous standards to their signing policy and allying it to a focussed sense of aesthetics, they are one of the few labels that are as close to a guarantee of quality as it is possible to be. In the decade-plus years of their existence, Debemur Morti’s focus has been on the more esoteric, discordant side of black metal – jagged, dripping with abyssal atmosphere and reeking of a palpable sense of inhuman darkness. So to Draugnim – with its nihilistic songtitles (‘That Name is Hate’, ‘Black Drums of Death’) and the suitably morbid Cold Poison artwork, loins are very much guarded for six tracks of dissonant viciousness.
It is with some surprise therefore that I can report that the Finnish outfit actually tend to specialise in a form of supremely melodic, soaring and galloping black metal laced with synths and some truly stirring refrains. In terms of riffage, early Primordial is one of the closest references here with ‘As in Hunger, So in Demise’ delivering the furious folksy swing so beloved of the Irishmen. Draugnim tend to favour a more frenetic delivery but there is something genuinely stirring amongst the layers of guitar slashing across the soundscape courtesy of mailman Morior.
Kataxu are another outfit that spring to mind too with the billowing synths that decorate parts of the album recalling more than once the minor classic ‘Hunger of Elements’. That the passionate, low-toned roar of vocalist Chimedra is a dead ringer of Kataxu’s Paimon only serves to underline the comparison. Chimedra however is no one-trick pony and the impressive, sorrow-laden clean choir-like refrains that resound across the colossal lamentation-strewn epic ‘Grief Unsung’ are one of the record’s highlights.
Stirring sorrow is the name of the game of album closer ‘Serpent Stone’ too, a track that revolves around a defiant lead guitar hook and the tempo of the funeral march. If this is all sounding a little too light for the more violently-attuned amongst you, fear not – the frantic blastbeats that cannonade across ‘A Passage in Fire’ demonstrate that Draugnim are certainly capable of delivering the aggressive goods when required.
As is obvious, it’s a varied mix in terms of pacing and dynamics but the whole record hangs together through a constancy in texture and tone. Adding to this a full, warm production and we have a pretty complete package on our hands. Draugnim are experts in weaving waves of enveloping melodic riffage and for those with a taste for the more melodic side of what the more underground regions of the black metal genre can offer, ‘Vulturine’ offers a potential wealth of riches.
(8.5/10 Frank Allain)
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