Review by Rexorcist for Drudkh - Autumn Aurora (2004)

I believe this is the third time I've heard this album.  I've given several Drudkh albums high marks as I was less experienced in atmo-black, and loved the production and the autumn vibes.  I don't feel like I forced myself to enjoy them, but now that I've heard more than enough metal for a couple lifetimes, going back to this album, I can see why people like it... but not why people love it.  The album's music is basically the equivalent of a musical white noise machine.  There's excellent percussions that are light, speedy and creative, backing up every perfectly produced piece of atmosphere.  Slow melodies can be hypnotic if you just want some slow melodies to send you into a state of total calm.  Drudkh is one of those bands that can make perfect examples of total calm with extreme metal last 40 minutes on end.  But as a guy who craves creativity, suffice it to say, while this album feels like it would be good for the brain and soul, nine minutes without changing pace, especially when all forty minutes of the album do this, doesn't necessarily say great things.  The band is good at this one thing that they can do, but now I don't feel any need to go back to this ever again if I want something calming yet more inventive.  Still, no fear factor, total atmosphere and an almost heavenly sound make this stand out amongst others who try the same thing, at least vibe and production-wise.

75