The background story here is practically one of legend itself. Humble beginnings saw Wiccan Rede develop into Negura Bunget. Their music introduced many to the realms of traditionalism and folkloric music from Romania where it was married to blackened extremity and rose to triumph, hitting a pinnacle by the time they released landmark album ‘Om’ in 2006. It all hinted at a career that would go from strength to strength until sadly divisiveness and acrimony set in between the key founding members and then tragedy with the passing of Negru in 2017. It’s been well documented and the only really positive to take from it all is the amount of groups that sprang up in the wake of their demise from the varied cast-list involved. Probably most well-known are the other aforementioned founder Hupogrammas led Dordeduh, but also continuing down similar paths we have Sur Austru who contain three ex members along with Neguru’s obviously defunct Din Brad project in their ranks.

Now presenting their third album I have to admit that Sur Austru have largely passed me by but one thing I quickly noted is how much they flung me back to the base components of where they had originated from. Firstly, this “Gift of Scarecrows” is steeped in the mythology of its host country and tales of the Apocalypse brought on by ‘magical beings.’ On the musical side of things there are many consistent elements from the traditional sound of instruments such as the reedy call of pipes, to the percussive tapping on block of wood and the harmonies and melodies within the song’s framework over the expansive near hour length of the album. It’s kind of like being thrown back down a hole in time and fires off memories of what has gone before and is to many greatly missed.

‘Revealing’ may well be the translation of first title here but due to being versed in natural tongue via somewhat craggy delivery from main vocalist Tibor Kati, the air of mystery is very much retained. With spoken word parts presented on ‘Salba Hiara’ it is obvious there is a tale being told here but it is one we are largely not privy to. Still the naturistic effects of wind and thunder are on hand to expose us to the elements. Misty mountains and vast landscapes are very much brought to mind on listening here and expressed by music that largely concentrates on folk and progressive elements rather than anything that could really be described as black metal. I guess you need to really immerse yourself into the actual mythology around the fabulous beasts of the region such as ‘The Bad Ones’ and ‘The Brown Ones’ who both get a track dedicated to them (Cele Rele and Cele Brune) for further insight but without it is for the imagination to interpret. Despite alluding to “ancient beasts annihilating mankind” the flow of the album is largely a calm and mesmerising one with plenty of tranquil passages and little in the way of destructive parts. That said you certainly wouldn’t want to spend a night on the Carpathians with the fantastical creatures on the cover-art illustrated by Bogdan Țigan.

Essentially this is an enthralling album and one which musically will sit very comfortably with those who have followed the creators at its heart through time. On the other hand it could well lead you down a path of discovery if you are looking for lyrical insight attributed to Călin Miclauș, which apparently took years of dedicated study to formulate.

(8/10 Pete Woods)

https://www.facebook.com/SurAustruOfficial

https://avantgardemusic.bandcamp.com/album/datura-str-hiarelor