Ur Draugr: With Hunger Undying

The cover art for this album depicts a mountain as an anthropomorphic shape. The creatures' left arm is stretched out and creates a steep trail for the passing traveler. More striking, the head is looking upward at an uncomfortable angle, forming a mountain crested by a pointy nose. In the background, two other figures, portrayed in the same posture, sit quietly. Painted by Jess Christensen, the image represents the way human civilization leads to a series of actions that put down agriculture and nomadism in favor of religion and civilization. As I looked over this picture, I thought of Thomas Cole's series of paintings from the 19th century that show the rise of civilization and the decline (but inevitable return) of nature.

The music on the album is heavy and intense, progressive and surprising. The band certainly has the chops and the energy for black metal but there's something more at play here. For the most part the so-called progressive elements come through as mellow sections, introductions or interludes that break up the intensity of the rest. Things slow down considerably on "Solace within Torpor," a delightful classical guitar solo that, frankly, I'd love to learn (I've been playing classical since 1984). This track changed the mood of the album and left me wanting more of this band's progressive touches.

Another highlight was the equally mellow "Lethe Drinker," an instrumental piece that references classical mythology to address the human tendency to seek out powerful, even addictive, sources of forgetfulness. Some forgetting is bliss, but too much is potentially harmful. I highlight this band's quieter moments because they stood out for their power and their quality. This band clearly wants something more from me than just an opportunity to melt my face off.

In addition to the tracks already highlighted, check out "With Hunger Undying," the album's closer.

On the whole, this is an impressive album, one that is both as strong and as mysterious as the figures depicted on its cover.

Track Listing:
1. Fertile Crescent
2. Seeds Sown in Famine
3. Rise of the Thaumaturge
4. Solace Within Torpor
5. Augur Incarnate (Distended Crown)
6. Cult of the Greatwurm
7. Lethe Drinker
8. With Hunger Undying

Added: March 26th 2016
Reviewer: Carl Sederholm
Score:
Related Link: Band Facebook Page
Hits: 1499
Language: english

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