Describing and presenting a Drudkh album is a complex, if not impossible, task. How does one capture the full spectrum of emotions and the mesmerizing energy that permeates every song? How can one put into words the sheer intensity and the clear, powerful messages that strike like a storm on a summer day? True art often eludes the perfect words, but that should never deter one from attempting to grasp its essence.
Drudkh’s thirteenth album, “Гра Тiней (Shadow Play)”, is a fusion of beautiful haunting melancholy and monolithic weight. Longer than its predecessor, “Всі належать ночі (All Belong to the Night)”, this new release unfolds through six towering compositions. While “All Belong to the Night” carried deep somber themes, “Shadow Play” radiates resilience, courage, and a dreamlike essence—like a breath of hope, as if the sun rises after days of impenetrable darkness. It is no coincidence that the album will be released on March 21st, the Spring Equinox—a time when nature awakens to new life. That is exactly how this album feels.
Beginning with the sound of resounding footsteps through a cold field, the opening track “Scattering the Ashes” evokes vivid images from the past, especially as the melancholic guitars and keyboards softly emerge in the background. As you listen, the imagery of ashes being scattered by a greeving mother becomes clear in your mind. With no vocals, the focus shifts entirely to the ambient experience—the very sensation of hearing the movement of the main character. As the ashes disperse and dissolve into the air, the guitars resonate as symbols of hope and love. It is deeply symbolic.
“Гра Тiней (Shadow Play)” is undeniably a profound embrace of the finest moments in Drudkh’s creative history. In particular, the subtle yet poignant echoes of the melancholic beauty found in the first works of the band – like “Autumn Aurora” or “Forgotten Legends”, resonate deeply within “April”, “The Eve”, and “The Thirst”. The keyboards in these pieces somehow serve as a powerful tribute to the legacy of the late Микола Состін (Mykola Sostin), which I find really fascinating. The delicate interplay of those lush, atmospheric melodies serves as a reminder of the timeless connection between past and present, honoring both the music and the spirit.
As tradition dictates, Drudkh immerse the listener into an enchanting finale with “The Thirst”—an ethereal, drifting composition that conjures the echoes of the unseen, manifested through haunting choral moments that float just beneath the surface, almost concealed within the mix. The final chapter unfolds as both monolithic and uplifting, much like the serene yet powerful atmosphere of dawn, when the first glimmers of sunlight break free from the horizon. In that fleeting moment, you are filled with a surge of vitality , ready to face the world with renewed strength and purpose. The song doesn’t simply end the album; it elevates the soul, leaving you with a lasting sense of spiritual rebirth and invigorating hope.
Drudkh is one of the rare bands capable of making a monolithic 12-minute track pass by without you even realizing it. Flowing like a breeze yet also crashing like a powerful storm, “Shadow Play” is a raw expression of souls that have seen the darkest of times, yet keep their gaze fixed on the beauty of the dawn of a new day.
What also stands out to me is the more personal message conveyed by the musicians. While I can’t speak for every lyric, there are certainly pieces within this album that aren’t the works of old Ukrainian poets this time , but are instead penned by the very hands of Drudkh themselves.
With “Гра Тiней (Shadow Play)”, Drudkh invite us into a realm of timelessness beyond the mortal coil, allowing us to drift between the contrasting forces that define our very essence—darkness and light, stillness and fury, life and death. These forces intertwine in a shadowed dance, much like the one of the branches of trees swaying in the midday hours. The album feels intensely personal and beautifully crafted, capable of leaving you speechless. As always, Drudkh’s soulful approach is immeasurable, transcending the boundaries of mere music.
Witness the premiere of the song “The Exile” below:
Listen to the previously released song, “The
Eve”:
Album: “Shadow Play”
Band: Drudkh
Country: Ukraine
Release Date: March 21st, 2025
Label: Season of Mist Underground Activists
Pre-order: https://orcd.co/drudkhshadowplay.
Mother of THE VOID.
Underground music is the ultimate weapon against mediocrity.
