Draugr
De Ferro Italico

Second full-length for the Abruzzese Pagan Metal band and a second bullseye hit. After "Nocturnal Pagan Supremacy" in 2006, comes in 2011 "De Ferro Italico," an entirely Italian concept that oozes passion, history, and epicness.

Let's start by saying that the trend of bands playing Pagan is now widespread, but these Draugr truly have an extra gear; there's little else to say. It is demonstrated by the fact that a para-historical concept like the one developed by Draugr has no weak points, neither sonically nor lyrically. "De Ferro Italico" represents a masterpiece in its over 60 minutes and forces the listener on a veritable journey, through bloody scenarios and battles of proud warriors.
They bring to the stage Italian culture and the history of their region, Abruzzo, without ever appearing facetious or superficial, but perfectly integrating the musical parts with the "fabled" ones. Talking about Pagan Metal is limiting and limiting; with a review like this, one might mislead a hypothetical visitor. Indeed, in Draugr's sound, the Pagan part is present, but there are also many other significant influences, such as Melodic Black Metal, '90s Thrash, and the timeless '80s Heavy. I challenge anyone to say otherwise; the solos come from that school! The only perhaps debatable flaw is the choice of an opener like "The Vitulean Empire," indeed pumped but hardly fits because it's the only one sung in English, while the remaining album is all unraveled in the mother tongue and even hints at Osco, an ancient Italic language.

Very few bands can boast of having written a concept that, in addition to being masterfully connected musically, has lyrics that fit perfectly and excellently tell the deeds of the pagan Abruzzese people trying to fight with all means Emperor Theodosius, who proclaimed through an edict the abolition of the pagan religion. Difficult to list the peak episode of the album, after the intro "Where Italy Was Born," "The Vitulean Empire" strikes the first deadly blow with a piece halfway between melodic black and thrash. The guitars are masterful, chasing each other relentlessly. A forest sound and a flute introduce us to "L'Augure e il Lupo", and it is here that Draugr's personality begins to push relentlessly. With a folk flavor, the Italian language stands out greatly, and Svafnir's interpretation supports an imperturbable sound wall.

"...The wind whispers words and sentences, the voice of the gods!
Clouds illustrating two wolves fighting and lightning tearing the sky..."

The guitars always work excellent melodies, and the voice of the Augur rages on the piece like a spear thrown at the enemy; the keyboards relax the atmosphere for a few seconds, and shortly after, there's a grandiose black outburst of the old style. Currently among my favorite tracks.

Among the next 7 episodes, only masterpieces on masterpieces!! "Ver Sacrum" starts festive and develops on exceptional heavy patterns. Between one glass and another, Draugr take us with them to the tavern and envelop our imagination with epic visions. Excellent.
One of the peaks is reached with the over 9 minutes of "Suovetaurilia." Black Metal, Folk, Pagan, Heavy, Thrash, and more. The background of the 6 Abruzzi converges into a deadly mix and between violent attacks and soothing flutes, they tell us the purification rite where a bull, a ram, and a pig were sacrificed to Mars.

"From Italic lands, a cry will rise
of a free people that will bring down the cross,
wolves howl, beasts growl,
they wear weapons and shields of the Sabellian tribes."

"Legio Linteata" literally lands us with a very fast starting piece (devastating Jonny behind the skins) and powerful in its following progress. Let's emphasize here the presence of Lore from Folkstone who duets with the splendid Abruzzese organetto before launching into a live anthem, a refrain as convincing as it is powerful.
For the one writing, the concept of masterpiece is already signed here, but it's not enough; there's still plenty to go through.

"Abruzzo Pagano!!!"

Helsior and his keyboard relax the spirits with the instrumental "Ballata d'Autunno" and make an atmosphere that now carries only death and the stench of blood in the wind more serene. It's very suitable for easing, before the extremely violent "Inverno."
It is undeniable that with this song, Draugr literally kidnapped my heart, plunging it into one of the crevices of the Abruzzi mountains. Power and epicness, two sides of the same coin. Black Metal but not only! Good taste, arrangements of rare beauty, convincing refrain, nothing is missing. The voice of the Augur breaks in with a long scream and freezes the blood in the body; the guitars steal all possible imaginative spaces while on the side this time, we find the keyboards, which indeed in this episode would have been excessive. For fans of extreme metal and beyond, this piece is indispensable.

"An unchanged past sculpted by invisible forces,
sanguine deity-killing of the non-devotee to nature,
I will not endure the cold,
the caresses of my true mother,
I observe in the snow the armor of my great lord,
on the throne of eternal ice, cold and lethal,
indifferent crystal and blade of impetuous force,
in this dark night of immortal ardor fury,
I proudly sit on the eternal Samnite rock."

The arpeggiated break at three and a half minutes envelops us under a blanket of snow. Immense musically and in unmatchable lyrics. It is undeniable the good taste and arrangement of ours, which every band aspires to at least once in a lifetime. "Roma Ferro Ignique" projects us into an epic and extreme soundtrack. The keyboards support a dark and sinister scenario, while by now the small army enters the gates of Rome and prepares for the massacre.
"De Ferro Italico" ends in great style with its 10-plus minutes. The exceptional spirit of great musicians merges into a complete and refined work like "De Ferro Italico," where the most extreme metal merges perfectly with orchestration sometimes tragic, sometimes epic, and never intrusive. These are Draugr, among the greatest auditory experiences I've had in 2011.

I won't add any more; excellent graphics and sounds (Mika Jussila took care of the album's mastering at the glorious Finnvox Studios in Helsinki), everything is excellent.
A must-have. 

""I reject a reality of slavery and hypocrisy,
I accept my fate, whatever it may be,
ready to fight for the ultimate ideal,
for a new tomorrow, like a shining dawn"
The quick reflection of the sun on the Samnite shield,
blinds the general, his guard is now gone!
"Caligat in Sole!"

5/5