Date: 2021
Total Time: 52:40
Label: Self-Financed
After the demo “Towards Subterranean Realms” in 2018, the Armenian Folk/Black metallers are releasing one of the best records of this scene and more specifically in underground.
Taking their name from the ancient name of the second largest river in Armenia, the quartet with the duduks (Armenian wind flutes) it uses in the beginning and the Armenian bagpipes later, shows that it intends to take us to a journey through the tradition of their ancient world. Balancing between the Northern European Pagan Black (which hardly forgets the melodies) looking at bands like KAMPFAR, the modern extreme melodic Metal of the Greek Metal stars Rotting Christ and other similar Black Metal bands like DISSECTION, without ever forgetting the melody and atmospheres, the listener of those styles, should not ignore the Armenians. The atmosphere, the spirituality is present everywhere. The ancient castles, the ancient temples of an ancient civilization constantly look down and “sprinkle” the music with the tradition. The melodies seldom cease to exist and the riffs are very reminiscent of ROTTING CHRIST. As the album progresses to the end, the speed is constantly rising and the primordial feeling prevails over all, to show that we are talking about extreme Black Metal. The vocals are the necessary skits required for the genre and all the instruments and the production is perfectly executed.
The fact that various Black Metal bands are introducing the melody (and also the atmosphere) in their music is becoming more and more intense. There is tremendous inspiration in the album while ILDARUNI continue the musical tradition of bands like SAOR. All their elements are tied in a harmonious degree and, most importantly, those elements really give something more to the music.
The listener receives a mystagogy of a culture that lasts 3,500 years. Holding the flag of tradition, atmosphere and melodic Pagan/Black Metal high, ILDARUNI is a name that we should all remember for years to come.
Rating: 7/10
Editor: Giannis Michailidis
Related Link: ILDARUNI – Bandcamp Page
