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Downfall Of Nur - Umbras De Barbagia review




Bandcamp music player
Reviewer:
9.0

109 users:
8.29
Band: Downfall Of Nur
Album: Umbras De Barbagia
Release date: March 2015


01. I - Intro
02. II - The Golden Age
03. III - The Downfall Of Nur
04. IV - Ashes
05. V - Umbras De Barbagia

Few since early Agalloch have written such a stunning soundtrack to your contemplation of the meaning of life, nature, and darkness. Atmospheric, folk-oriented black metal like this can be simultaneously beautiful and ominous. There are things on this earth that are very, very old.

Beware, this music will lead you directly to a life of solitude in the forest, living the bare and contented life of the hermit, brought to dwell on the mountainside. While the folk music is not outwardly dominant, the massive and crushing mood will have you feel the cool air on your cheeks and the icy stream running between your fingers as easily as if you were already outside, far from anyone but the tall trees.

The cello near the end of the title track will be your piper, leading you mysteriously away to this contemplative life. The bass represents the heaviness of the earth and the ancient spirits who reside within, while the guitars and folk instruments have their moments to soar above at just the right moments. These songs flow easily like a soothing morning fog and never stay overly long in one place. The up-tempo sections are just brilliant, but still better was the journey to find them. The 17-minute opener develops slowly and purposefully, with the guitars tracing and developing patterns in the rhythms that only build anticipation for what's to come. Despite some hefty track lengths and many slow tempos, this record never bores.

Vocals are primarily raw, pained shrieks and act simply as a rich texture to support the dominant guitars and folk instruments, which are slow building and mesmerizing. While the vocals take their time in presenting themselves and they are rarely in the spotlight, they're vital in completing this satisfyingly harsh reality.

I was surprised to learn that Downfall Of Nur is a one-man band. This record crushes like 5-6 very determined musicians telling a heavy and complex story. Our hero, Antonio Sanna, was born and raised in Sardinia, Italy and now lives in Argentina. Umbras De Barbagia's lyrics primarily relate the folklore of Sardinia.

Contemplate the meaning of life, nature, and darkness, while listening to Umbras De Barbagia at Bandcamp.

Correction: Since publishing the original text above I've learned that while Downfall Of Nur is a one-man band, the vocals were all performed by guest Dany Tee, who also co-produced the album.





Written on 28.03.2015 by Susan appreciates quality metal regardless of sub-genre. Metal Storm Staff since 2006.

Twitter: @HeavyMetalSusan


Comments

Comments: 20   Visited by: 342 users
29.03.2015 - 09:21
Rating: 9
flightoficarus
Stamp Tramp
Thank you for putting this one up. I've been listening to this for weeks and it just keeps getting better.
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Daily underground metal recommendations at Metal Trenches.
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29.03.2015 - 09:24
Rating: 9
flightoficarus
Stamp Tramp
One correction from my interactions on FB: he was quick to state that although he writes all the music, he did not do the vocals. The name escapes me at the moment.
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Daily underground metal recommendations at Metal Trenches.
Listen to the Trench Talk podcast.
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29.03.2015 - 14:21
Rating: 8
Draugen

I just recently discovered this band and this album is one of the best atmospheric black metal releases I've heard in quite some time. Impressive debut to say the least.
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29.03.2015 - 14:36
Auntie Sahar
Drone Empress
I saw this while browsing the new releases yesterday and the cover looked interesting, so I'll definitely be checking it out now!
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I am the Magician and the Exorcist. I am the axle of the wheel, and the cube in the circle. “Come unto me” is a foolish word: for it is I that go.

~ II. VII
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29.03.2015 - 19:07
Rating: 6
Ag Fox
Angel No More
Wow, susan reviewing a black metal album. Need to check it out haha
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loves 小巫
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29.03.2015 - 20:34
Auntie Sahar
Drone Empress
Yeah, this is some pretty good shit. The vocals remind me a lot of Svartidaudi
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I am the Magician and the Exorcist. I am the axle of the wheel, and the cube in the circle. “Come unto me” is a foolish word: for it is I that go.

~ II. VII
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29.03.2015 - 20:49
Ras

Very strong review of a very good album. Black Flame's _Origin of Fire_, also recently released on Avantgarde, is worth a listen as well. The quality of this particular album distracted me from listening to it for a while, but gave it several consecutive spins last night.
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29.03.2015 - 20:51
Rating: 9
Susan
Smeghead
Hi All, I edited the review to include the following correction:

Since publishing the original text above I've learned that while Downfall Of Nur is a one-man band, the vocals were all performed by guest Dany Tee, who also co-produced the album.

And what an excellent job he did!!!
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"A life all mine
Is what I choose
At the end of my days"
--The Gathering "A Life All Mine" from Souvenirs
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30.03.2015 - 00:57
Vombatus
Potorro
Written by Auntie Sahar on 29.03.2015 at 20:34

The vocals remind me a lot of Svartidaudi


Thought the same!


The cover got my attention but the music itself is quite awesome, love track nº 2 and the use of flutes on it.
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30.03.2015 - 00:59
Bad English
Tage Westerlund
Maybe I should check this, since seems from your review its like you wonder in dead Nordic forest and there are elf village, fire camp and they are playing music similar as Agalloch
Sounds great
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30.03.2015 - 01:32
corrupt
With a lowercase c
I was checking this one out - as I admit to my shame - for the Agalloch reference in here. I find it interesting you chose them for a comparison because they have similarities mainly on a meta level. It's more about feeling than actual music.
I still wasn't disappointed though. This is excellent music. Maybe a bit too monotonous in drum works. I feel he could have achieved a more complex atmosphere with softer, more accented rythms instead of typical four-on-the-floor variations we here so often. That, after all, is what made Agalloch so special when they still had Chris Greene.
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30.03.2015 - 01:46
Rating: 9
Susan
Smeghead
Written by corrupt on 30.03.2015 at 01:32

I find it interesting you chose them for a comparison because they have similarities mainly on a meta level. It's more about feeling than actual music.


Thank you, this is exactly what I was going for. I didn't say they sounded alike, which is what everyone will assume just by seeing their name. I said they make you contemplate the same stuff. Hell, even a thrash band has the potential to make one contemplate something; doesn't mean they sound alike

Listening to The Mantle and parts of Marrow conjure up similarly strong and specific feelings as this record. They do not sound alike. They FEEL alike
----
"A life all mine
Is what I choose
At the end of my days"
--The Gathering "A Life All Mine" from Souvenirs
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30.03.2015 - 16:32
corrupt
With a lowercase c
Written by Susan on 30.03.2015 at 01:46
Thank you, this is exactly what I was going for. I didn't say they sounded alike, which is what everyone will assume just by seeing their name. I said they make you contemplate the same stuff. Hell, even a thrash band has the potential to make one contemplate something; doesn't mean they sound alike

Agalloch are one of the most dangerous descriptors the metal scene has. Most of us like them a lot, there are a select few bands like them out there and since they changed their style so radically in recent years, anyone - including me - will jump at every chance they get to find something even remotely similar. I wouldn't be surprised if many people stopped right at the word 'Agalloch' and started listening right away
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30.03.2015 - 16:37
Rating: 9
barnesy

Preordered this on Bandcamp and I've been listening steadily ever since its release. Interestingly, in my quip to the band I wrote how it makes me feel like I'm walking through a dead dark forest. Furthermore however, the atmosphere is despairingly mournful and puts me to the day when I'm near death on my last walk through said forest.
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31.03.2015 - 03:57
tea[m]ster
Au Pays Natal
This shit is about as "black" as I go. Excellent review Susan and thanks.
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rekt
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02.04.2015 - 22:25
Rating: 10
MHShokuhi

Written by corrupt on 30.03.2015 at 16:32

I wouldn't be surprised if many people stopped right at the word 'Agalloch' and started listening right away

i was one of them i even told one of my friends before listening to the record
great review though, i have to listen more but it seems very promising and interesting...
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Shake the silence and hear what it say ~In Flames
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06.04.2015 - 03:46
no one
Account deleted
Now this how i like my folk, dark as fuck with a lot of atmosphere. The vocals sound like something from a depressive ambient band but actually blend in quite well.
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21.04.2015 - 12:35
Rating: 8
Daniell
_爱情_
Now we know where Dani Filth sings while we wait for a new Cradle of Filth album...

Jokes aside, you made me want to listen to the album a.s.a.p. The Agalloch reference is spot on! The only grievance I have here is the drumming. The guy could really use a session drummer. Such slow, atmospheric songs simply beg for interesting drum parts. What we get quite often is too simple - it stands out in a negative way. But it's a minor annoyance, because the rest of the music makes up for it. A strong contender for debut album of the year.
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26.04.2015 - 17:13
Darkside Momo
Retired
Great review for a great listen indeed
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05.05.2015 - 05:46
Alakazam
spendin' cheese
I'm sorry, but the vocals are starting to remind me of Anal Cunt
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I may not have the largest collection but I certainly have the absolute best

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