This is a band as old as the whole black metal movement, at least the second wave: Sauron, black metal act from Radom, Poland, formed back in 1991. Despite the long career, the first album Hornology came only in 2007; the sophomore album Unholy Man was released in 2015 and the latest Land of Dead Sun is from this year, but it consists of material recorded in 1997. The real new album will be released later this year.
It is evident in my opinion that Land of Dead Sun is made up of old material in the fact that this album does not have so many innovations compared to the formerly released albums, except perhaps a more atmospheric approach. When “Menhir”, the first track, starts, a certain atmosphere in the vein of old Drudkh emerges; of course Sauron added something personal to it, such as some groove, as in “... to Flames”, an epic touch, as in “Wanda”, or high-paced tempos, as in “In the Shadow of Svantevit”. It is above all the mild distortion that reminds me of Ukrainian Drudkh, but this can be just a personal impression; apart from this, this kind of sound gives the whole a more atmospheric feel, instead of a raw and furious one.
Unfortunately, released today, Land of Dead Sun does not have the same interest or impact that it would have had if it had been released in 1997, but it is a good album and it is more than worth a listen!
Notes:
Land of Dead Sun was released February 29 2016 on Wheelwright Productions, but it was recorded in 1997. The digital and physical album can be purchased through the Bandcamp player below. The newly recorded album is scheduled for release in September 2016.
Personnel:
P.W.: Bass, Vocals
Evil: Guitars
Blady: Drums
Text by Herjann
herjann@unholyblackmetal.com
It is evident in my opinion that Land of Dead Sun is made up of old material in the fact that this album does not have so many innovations compared to the formerly released albums, except perhaps a more atmospheric approach. When “Menhir”, the first track, starts, a certain atmosphere in the vein of old Drudkh emerges; of course Sauron added something personal to it, such as some groove, as in “... to Flames”, an epic touch, as in “Wanda”, or high-paced tempos, as in “In the Shadow of Svantevit”. It is above all the mild distortion that reminds me of Ukrainian Drudkh, but this can be just a personal impression; apart from this, this kind of sound gives the whole a more atmospheric feel, instead of a raw and furious one.
Unfortunately, released today, Land of Dead Sun does not have the same interest or impact that it would have had if it had been released in 1997, but it is a good album and it is more than worth a listen!
Notes:
Land of Dead Sun was released February 29 2016 on Wheelwright Productions, but it was recorded in 1997. The digital and physical album can be purchased through the Bandcamp player below. The newly recorded album is scheduled for release in September 2016.
Personnel:
P.W.: Bass, Vocals
Evil: Guitars
Blady: Drums
Text by Herjann
herjann@unholyblackmetal.com
