(Self Released)

Release Date: 2011
Origin: Italy

Draugr is an Italian epic folk black metal band, coming from Abruzzo. They begun in 2002 and they had a much more old school black metal approach back then. After several promos the band released its debut album “Nocturnal Pagan Supremacy” with Christhunt Productions in 2006. It was a really good album of raw yet melodic epic pagan black metal with folk elements. Now, five years later, they return with their second release, but this time they decided to go on their own, without the support of any label.

“De Ferro Italico” begins with a soundtrack-like intro before the first song comes storming in. It doesn't take long to realize that the sound of the band is very different! This time they have chosen a much more “mainstream” approach, with a very good production (after all, the album was mastered by Mika Jussila at Finnvox Studios) and undeniable musical skills. Their music is still epic black metal, with many symphonic and folk elements in their sound. Except for the first song, everything else is sang in the Italian language, something that fits their concept very much. It is a very diverse album, with countless changes in its tempo and mood. The main “base” of their music is fast extreme melodic metal with a great vocal canvas, ranging from CoF style screams, to viking death metal growls and epic clean ones, while the use of Latin makes them even more distinctive. I believe Augur Svafnir does an excellent work on the vocals that is one of the band's strong cards. Synths and folk instruments enrich their sound, other times accompanying the guitars, other times used as instrumental interludes, giving the typical “Italian majestic symphonic” touch to their music. Their compositions are very complex, full of perfect melodies and innovative ideas and their bombastic music aspires to recreate the atmosphere of the glorious Roman Empire (very successfully in my opinion). Their lyrics are about nature, local folkore, history and legends and you can find them in the detailed booklet.

Overall Draugr have done an excellent job and “De Ferro Italico” really deserves the attention of epic folk pagan metal fans. The fact that it is self-released, shouldn't discourage you at all, since everything is very professional, from the production 'till the artwork and booklet design. I just hope for them to distribute it well... For more info and music samples you can visit their official site http://www.draugr.it, where you can also purchase this album, or their myspace web-page: http://www.myspace.com/furorepagano

dimiarch

(9/10)