www.myspace.com/draupnirsanctuary
France is one European country that hasn’t particularly been famed for its Black Metal scene unlike its European ounterparts, such as Norway and even countries within the Eastern Block (Ukraine etc) despite having a famous long running BM label based in France, Osmose, who is responsible for releasing some of Immortal’s albums as well as Frances’ own Anorexia Nervosa.
With a press release that states a list of all the predictable influences for any Melodic Black Metal act including Dimmu Borgir, Emperor and a strong emphasis on classical composers Chopin, Rachmaninov, Bach and Prokofiev, it’s a not very challenging to know what to expect with these Frenchmen.
It is surprising Tchaikovski isn’t mentioned in their extensive list of influences as they pay an obvious tribute to ‘The Nutcracker’ in the instrumental piece ‘Children’s Dream’.
The dynamics in ‘Black And Vicious’ are much like early Dimmu Borgir (For All Tid & Stormblast) just without the terribly flat production. The majority of tracks opt to open with classical keyboard melodies or slow wistful synthesised intros before going into the meat of the tracks, which retain the speedier elements of BM without having a single blast beat. Also Draupnir possess commendable technical musicianship, ‘Adoration Of Satanism’ and ‘Black Blood’ being an excellent example, the drum rhythms being predominantly impressive.
In a scene inundated with bands of Draupnir’s manner and with such a dated, tried and tested approach to BM it’s going to be hard to step out of the shadow of bands such as Dimmu Borgir. For a debut, it isn’t too shabby and will definitely get them a little recognition, all that needs to be adjusted is a more individual approach to song structures and we could be seeing stronger releases from Draupnir.
Black And Vicious
1. Apocalypse Knights
2. Dying Monarch
3. Black And Vicious
4. In The Pleasure Of Incest
5. Filthy Jehova
6. Welcome In Necrophilia
7. Black Blood
8. Vertu De Putain
9. Children’s Dream
10. Adoration Of Satanism
11. Wyrd
|
