Let’s step into the world of Duir.
Formed in Italy, the project remained independent until the release of its debut album, nine years after its inception. Now signed to AOP Records, MK (guitar), Vox in Umbra (vocals), Skryer (guitar), TZ. (flute/bagpipes/hurdy-gurdy), and P. (drums) are releasing their second album, Catarsi, mixed and mastered by P.G. (Groza) at Ad Nauseam Sounds.
While the Italian vocals may come as a surprise at the start of Manifesto, the opening track, their aggressive tones blend perfectly with the dark, ethereal atmosphere of the rhythm that suddenly fills the air, revealing intoxicating, icy Old School roots. Folk instruments naturally develop the dissonant and haunting touch of this very long, fast-paced track, which still offers a few slower, brighter moments as well as purely Folk-inspired sections, such as the finale, before the darkness ignites to lead into Di Nessuno. This second track is shorter, but still makes use of long instrumental passages to weave its majestic sounds, which contrast with the striking screams that haunt this sumptuous tableau in which we lose ourselves until we reach Impeto, a track that is much heavier right from its introduction. It’s also worth noting that it features rougher, more aggressive elements, as well as a certain ethereal melancholy, before introducing L.G. (Ellende) to reinforce the surrounding darkness that suffocates us and into which we drift, finally reaching Della Notte, the album’s shortest yet most incisive all-instrumental track, which lets its piercing leads wander as they please. It’s easy to let oneself be lulled by the enchanting riffs, but Del Giorno ultimately brings back the vocal parts that darken the soothing introduction before the rhythm section settles in alongside it, immediately darkening the atmosphere as the band struggles to unleash its hypnotic touch without denying the omnipresent violence. The album is already drawing to a close with Oltre l’Alba, the final track that lets us regain our composure by intoxicating us with the bagpipes before unleashing its wave of darkness filled with growls, bringing a touch of violence to this as intriguing as fascinating ocean of beauty but one whose shore we will inevitably reach, bringing the adventure to an end.
Duir was completely unknown to me, but with Catarsi, I discovered sounds capable of transporting my mind to landscapes as majestic as they are desolate. If you have a penchant for darkness and ethereal tones, this intense album will captivate you in an instant.
95/100
