Draugr rises once more.
With this second album, titled Ahnenfeuer – Ginnungagap Chaos Pt. 1, Kälte (vocals, Firunwinta, Per Noctem et Nebulam), Malphas (guitar, Verba Serpentis, ex-Scion of Darkness), Manuel Kraßnitzer (guitar, Verba Serpentis, ex-Scion of Darkness), David Kraßnitzer (bass, Verba Serpentis, ex-Scion of Darkness, ex-Altar of I), and Asator (drums, Plaguepreacher, ex-Scion of Darkness) have signed with Immortal Frost Productions.
The band immediately immerses us in its coldness with Loki Galdr – Loka Daun, a visceral and piercing opening track featuring not only furious vocals but also meticulous attention to the drums, regardless of the tempo. It’s impossible not to be swept away by the band’s torrent of darkness; they never hesitate to slow down only to rev up the machine again and carry us along with them toward Surturs Zorn, a composition that’s extremely melodious and intoxicating at first listen but ultimately reveals itself to be incredibly violent. Double kick and blast beats follow one another to provide a fierce foundation for the roars and furious riffs, but the mix also subsides for a moment to set the stage for the final blaze that leads into the ethereal introduction of Sols Richter, which quickly takes on a majestic, albeit somewhat heavy distortion. As expected, the band won’t stay calm for very long, developing a hypnotic approach between bursts of dark violence that also winds down toward the end, becoming deeply haunting and echoing the opening moments of Der Kenazfeuer Pfad, where a sense of unease reigns. While the rhythm section is similar to that of previous tracks, the vocalist surprises with an incredible and infectious intensity that fits perfectly with this melancholic track and its Old School roots that will be even more furious and prominent on Flammenmeer, a track where the band is joined by Ragnar (Theotoxin, Demersus ad Nihilum, ex-Schattenfall…) to reinforce the vocal assault. It’s worth noting that the track is a bit more varied, particularly in its slower sections, but it’s only after a final eruption that it gives way to Chaossplitter and its occult tones which are also relatively languid—that may become livelier later on but still retain that hint of mesmerizing apathy right up until the very end.
Discovering Draugr was a very enjoyable experience, as their Black Metal is visceral and, above all, icy. From what I understand, Ahnenfeuer – Ginnungagap Chaos Pt. 1 is just the beginning of a new era for the band, and I’m already looking forward to what’s next.
90/100
