All this tawdry theory yours truly has just portrayed here is also proper for "underground" bands like Drudkh. Yes, we're talking about a band without an official website nor myspace account (and that thing alone makes them really interesting and praiseworthy), but fan phenomenon is present here as well. All this comes to answer the tremendously high notes bands like these receive even though most of the times their albums are far from being milestones of the genre, if not just crap. Remember, past and memories don't feed anyone, and as it's said in my homeland, "past water doesn't make the mill run" (lithe translation). Blood In Our Wells was an astounding album, epic, solemn and overwhelming, surely my best pick of the year it was out in stores. Because of that, Estrangement was a long-awaited collection of songs I purchased with no doubt, especially since Supernal Music released a special limited edition with English translations of the Ukrainian lyrics and in a bigger jewel box. Note the fact I haven't mentioned the folk album Songs Of Grief And Solitude and the Anti-Human EP, released between the mentioned CDs; I haven't had the chance of hear them, so you've got my silence regarding them.

Several listenings have taken place before I write this review, a personal habit. And in a certain way, most of my first impressions haven't fled. I had the feeling this album was sort of an amalgam of various Drudkh albums. The sound of the fast part on "Skies at Our Feet" sounds like the speedy passage on "Eternal Sun"--but without that excellent lead guitar; the first riff of the album is a small variation of the debut album's "Forests In Fire And Gold"; several mid-tempo parts are very similar to "Blood In Our Wells"... All in all it looks like a self-homage, or something like that! Here and there I find some beautiful melodies, and technically speaking this album is a step further in terms of drum skills, bass lines and improved guitar solos. The sound is a bit cleaner and the treble is louder than before. The mix is however unstable; hi-hat is too high, the fast parts bring imbalance in the sound favouring drums and cymbals. Hi-hat is too high, and the bass has been also put up, I think. Anyway, I don't mean the sound is weak whatsoever. It's just a demanding analysis. Great bands are the ones able to make great things. Drudkh is one of these. Nevertheless, unlike previous releases that left a significant trace on me after the album was played, this time I can't harvest an overall sentiment, a personality behind the album. It's just about four songs; enjoyable, correct, competent. Not a solid album that can bring something on its own. It's good, I like it, but it's below what Drudkh are capable of doing.

written by Fjordi

Playing time: 36:32