Originally from Kyrgyzstan but now residing in Germany Darkestrah have always been a fascinating band utilising traditional instruments into a black metal mainframe. You know that you are in for something a bit different when you actually have to look up what they play to get a better idea of just what it is and among the more expected here we have the likes of the Temir komuz the Tanbur, Divan, Cuatro, and Azeri tar. Active since 1999 and with six albums previous to this one along with various other releases there have been some changes in the line-up of late. Asbath has been with the group from the start but more recent additions since 2020 include Magus who is responsible for many of the above mentioned instruments and new vocalist Charuk who are both originally from Iran of all places. Nomad no doubt reflects the wanderings of this collective and naturally includes tales and spiritual quests derived from their homelands along with verses of Kyrgyz epic poetry. If you have never heard them before no doubt this is an intriguing proposition.
We are drawn into this odyssey via sounds of wind, plucked instrumentation and shamanic throat singing on opener ‘Journey Through Blue Nothingness.’ Scene set we have four epic tracks expanding things, all lengthy with plenty of compelling facets. The sound opens up and everything drops in on Kök-Oy which if you were wondering is a village in Talas Region of Kyrgyzstan. The musicianship sweeps magnificently across the tundra transporting you to another world. Once Charuk joins in with piercing sharp screams you get the full might and impact. There’s massive amounts of drama here as the lady rasps, screeches and even yodels through her parts. The production here is absolutely massive too and as the rhythm bounces up and down and it’s near impossible to sit still. The title track has the sound of horses cantering before the jaunty spring of the Temir komuz (which looks and sounds to me a bit like a jaw harp) twangs away and a stringed violin like instrument is also utilised. Those looking for somewhat lazy comparisons of what to expect here can (on the folk side) probably think along the lines of bands such as Tengger Cavalry (RIP) and Arkona (Rus) who are mentioned mainly due to the stand-out vocal performance. As far as the black riffing furrow, Drudkh and Moonsorrow spring to mind too. Put simply this is blackened folk-metal at it’s very best. A big patch of clean singing on this number, literally rolling off the tongue is particularly effective and whatever language you will find yourself wanting to chant along.
After some spoken word ‘Destroyer Of Obstacles’ thunders in and the drums pulverise everything in their path. Underlying rich symphonic parts sprawl out and those wild strident vocals add to the mania and the sheer frenzied drive. Talk about knocking you off your feet. Things calm a little and other undetermined instruments joust away in the background amidst the now fragrant clean and harsh vocal lines. The rugged grit and determination flows into the last of the epic tracks ‘Quest For The Soul’ which is full of life and energy before we arrive at shorter mystical number ‘The Dream of Kojojash’ (your gateway to the kyrgyz epic “kojojash) complete with bells and dour sounding premonitions and final outro ‘A Dream That Omens Death.’ I’m not explaining everything you should expect on these tracks as by now and if I have done my job properly you should be seeking this down yourself at all costs.
This is a fantastic album and one that could even start you off on a quest yourself wanting to learn all within its narrative as well as dip into the rest of this fascinating band’s back-catalogue. The score speaks for itself and this is nothing short of essential.
(9/10 Pete Woods)
Leave a Reply