UMUR "Stratum" is the 2nd full-length studio album by Norwegian extreme metal act Drottnar. The album was released through Endtime Productions in October 2012. It´s been six long years since the release of "Welterwerk (2006)", and I was beginning to think that Drottnar had folded, but they return on "Stratum" with exactly the same quintet lineup who recorded "Welterwerk (2006)".

Stylistically the material on "Stratum" continue in a similar technical black metal style to the style on "Welterwerk (2006)". The world war II themed lyrical concept is gone here though, and the lyrics on "Stratum" are more focused on despair and philosophy. The latter with a Christian angle, although the lyrics aren´t preachy or tasteless praises to the Lord. They do suggest though that believing in something greater than yourself could be a way out of the despair and sadness of this world. Wether you believe in that attitude or not, I think it´s a fair opinion and personally I don´t feel like I`m being preached to.

I remember listening to "Welterwerk (2006)" and experiencing a sense of disbelief that I was listening to a technical black metal release. That´s not something you´ll hear everyday. Not that black metal can´t be well played and quite technical in nature, but it´s seldom one of the primary focuses of the style. Drottnar are a very different beast though and there is great focus on technical fusion influenced playing on both "Welterwerk (2006)" and on "Stratum". Although not as obviously jazzy (nor as insanely complex), a black metal version of Atheist isn´t the worst comparison I could make. The unfortunately rather obscure Polish band Shadows Land is another valid reference.

Drottnar are not only a very well playing unit, handling quite technical playing with what seems like ease, but they also write some pretty intriguing music. Loads of tempo changes and breaks, odd fast-paced technical moments (which sometimes remind me of early Mastodon), dissonance, and the rare more atmospheric section. The vocals are a blackened type of aggressive snarling. "Stratum" features a powerful, raw, and detailed sounding production too, so upon conclusion it´s a high quality release by Drottnar. I´m not sure why it took 6 years to release (apparently it was already recorced in 2009), but it was worth the wait. A 4 star (80%) rating is deserved.

Kev Rowland It has been seven years since Drottnar’s debut ‘Welterwerk’, but at long last the Norwegians are back with their second. This is a highly impressive album, bringing together elements of technical, black, death, industrial, avant-garde and just about every form of extreme metal one can think of into something that is colossal in so many ways. The sound is incredible, large, loud and incredibly clear and concise so that one can hear just how much the bass is adding in terms of nuance, and all power to Tom Kvålsvoll (Emperor, Arcturus, Borknagar) for a wonderful job on the mastering. Although this album is technical on so many levels, with a cold bleakness that makes me think of an industrial complex in the middle of winter, there is also something that is inviting – as if there is a fire made of burning branches to welcome in the traveller.

The complexity of this music cannot be understated, with incredible note density that can give way to emotion and angst, or dischord that can almost (but never quite) give way to harmony. It is frightening; it is compelling, schizophrenic and all encompassing. This is not music for everyone, as its’ very nature will push many away, but if you want your music to be extreme yet always maintain a sensibility and power then look no further. The very first time I played this I was incredibly impressed, and repeated plays have only cemented that opinion. This could well be the extreme metal album of the year….. www.drottnar.com