GARDARIKA — Chthonica (review)

GARDARIKA — Chthonica album cover Album · 2012 · Thrash Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
UMUR
"Chthonica" is the 2nd full-length studio album by Russian, Moscow based metal act Gardarika. The album was released through the band´s Bandcamp profile at a "Name Your Price" tag in October 2012. Even though Gardarika have only released two full-lengths at this point, they are quite a seasoned act, having existed since 1995.

...and that is quite apparent when listening to "Chthonica". The musicianship is excellent and the interplay between the band members is strong. Lead vocalist Alexandr Izgarniy has a voice that reminds me slightly of Blaze Bayley (Wolfsbane, Iron Maiden, solo), albeit with a pretty thick accent. It´s rather charming though and not at all an issue. The music is not easy to describe, but if you picture "Angel Rat (1991)"-era Voivod or maybe their self-titled from 2003 and mix it up with some traditional heavy metal elements, some old school thrash metal elements, a slight folk influence in the melody lines and some progressive ideas you´re half way there. Gardarika are generally very well playing and we´re treated to some nice solos and solid rythm work. It´s the rather original vocal rythm patterns that make the band´s music stand out the most though. Sometimes I´m not even sure it´s intentional, but perhaps more a matter of Alexandr Izgarniy not mastering the English language to an extent where he puts the pressure on the right syllables in the words. No matter what the cause is for the unusual vocal patterns, the music is as a consequence highly original sounding.

The material are overall of high quality even though I could have wished for more tracks to stand out. "Chthonica" is however still an interesting album all the way through the 49:09 minutes long playing time and repeated listens of course also reveal more hooks. The album is packed in a powerful and detailed sound production that suits the music well. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.
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UMUR wrote:
more than 2 years ago
Yeah they are definitely an aquired taste. I´m not sure why, but I find his delivery charming...
J-Man wrote:
more than 2 years ago
I've been spinning this lately, and although I agree with you on most fronts, the vocals sound rather lifeless to these ears. Definitely unique, but they seem like the weak link here IMO.

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