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From the land of the Semigalls come Urskumug! Very little in this part of the world known as North America is known about the Latvian Metal scene aside from the mighty Skyforger, but Urskumug (a name taken from a creature in Robert Holdstock fantasy novels that is one quarter bear, one quarter boar and half human) sure has surprised the hell out of me with "Am Nodr", their second full length album of unique Pagan/Heathen Metal that is sure to make the masses take notice world-wide.
Being a fan of Folk, Viking and Pagan Metal, even I have to admit that these genres were starting to get a little... not stale... but, monotonous is the word I guess. I can never tire of Folk or Pagan Metal, but it sure is a nice change of pace when a band like Urskumug comes around and injects a bit of ingenuity into their music. "Am Nodr" (which translates into "The Other Side") is Heathen filled Pagan Black Metal done with amazing skill and precision. Seriously, the four members of this band are masters of their respective instruments to the utmost degree. The intricate riffing on this album has to be heard to be believed! The Black Metal is raw, yet never sloppy or out of time, and the sound drifts from atmospheric Black Metal to Thrash and has an almost technical quality. Imagine the early 90's Black Metal bands fused with the majesty of Pagan Metal guitar melodies and some Thrash riffing and you'll know what to expect. This sounds like nothing too clever or unique, eh? Well, the one thing that sets "Am Nodr" apart from other similar albums is the inclusion of tribal music. There's not a ton of it on the album, but it is there and is used to an awesome effect. There's also kick ass dissonant sound effects and ritual/ambient pieces throughout the duration of the album that lean the album at times in a sort of artsy direction which keeps you constantly trying to guess what is going to happen next. I love albums like this! I love not being able to predict the next few measures of music! The bio sheet that came with this promo said this album includes authentic instruments. I have no idea what these traditional instruments may be as I can't really hear them except in a few spots, but I think I do hear a jaw harp and some sort of whistle. The band uses a drum machine which I usally despise, but they use it as good or better than any other band I've ever heard. Honestly, if I didn't have the bio sheet in front of me saying this was done with a drum machine, I'd have swore it was a real drummer. There are some tribal percussion parts on the album that could have been done with this machine as well, but I'm pretty sure these are the real thing. The lyrics were sadly not included with the promo I got, so I can't comment on what they are all about. I did find a little synopsis that says this album is about "Pre-Pagan" times and quote: "... representing a seeker's spiritual inner journey and exploring the subjects of Shamanism, Time and Shadow". While the promo sheet says all the lyrics are in the bands' native tongue, most of the song titles seem to be in English, which doesn't make sense. It also goes on to say that the real C.D. offers English translations to the lyrics, and all this does is make me wish more that they would have included the lyrics with the promo as they seem quite interesting. The vocals are done by Krauklis and Draake, and I'm assuming one guy does the Blackened style and the other does the few Death grunts found on the album. The Blackened style is actually done pretty damn well. It's mid-ranged, not "screechy" at all and in some odd way it is actually pleasant to listen to. The production, engineering and mixing job on the C.D. is excellent.My one small complaint is that I wish the traditional instruments were brought out a little more in the mix, but I'm sure it was a conscious effort by the band to keep them in the background. I can't comment much about the packaging of the C.D. as the promo just came in a cardboard sleeve case, but the cover is done very well and shows a really ancient looking Shaman dressed in a burlap styled robe of some sort. There's an LP version of this album coming out in June that supposedly has totally different layout. I bow to thee, Urskumug. Few bands have impressed me over the last year as much as you have with "Am Nodr". Those Black Metal and Pagan influenced Black Metal fans will definitely want to buy this album and listen to it many times over. As great as this album was the first time I heard it, it's only gotten better and better with each consecutive listen. Just when you think Pagan Metal can't be taken anywhere else new, albums like this come out to make you realize that as long as there are bands like Urskumug around the possibilities are virtually limitless. | |
