Drunemeton is a project that continues to surprise and impress me as it progresses, and this release is no exception, being as it may be sole member Grannus’ best output yet. Drunemeton started out playing a Black/Pagan Metal style, oftentimes comparable to Graveland, Moonsorrow, or Helheim.
However, ‘Dweller of Carcosa’ displays some new and interesting European Power Metal influence, in the vein of stuff like Blind Guardian and Elvenking, where harmonized leads over palm-muted riffs are the forefront of each song, accompanied by electric symphonic and folk bits that give the production a mysterious atmospheric element. There is a lot of focus on the hooks and catchier elements of each song, where chants and choruses repeat and demand your attention (‘Where Waters Dream’ especially). The leads are perfectly weaved and backed by choral hymns, sounding transcendental, fading in and out between sections where bouncy riffs pull you back in.
The two covers at the end offer a unique and beautiful take on songs from classic bands that undeniably influenced this Drunemeton record, and the clean vocals really shine.
While Nokturnal Mortum may not do anything new for a while, we can be satisfied knowing Drunemeton has taken up the torch in true Symphonic Pagan Metal!
