Year: 2025
Label: La Caverna Records
Rating: 7,6 / 10
Eight years ago, the album by the Colombian band CÓNDOR made a very pleasant and unexpected impression on me, and last year they finally released the next one. "Aurë Entuluva“, except for the last track, is based on the William Yeats poem ”The Hosting of the Sidhe", but performed in the native language of the Colombians. This is already a pretty strong start for an intelligent album, and I can confidently say that CÓNDOR did not disappoint in that regard.
The main parameters of "Aurë Entuluva" coincide with those that I described in the review of the previous album. It's also multi-genre metal with a doomy basis and a very warm old-fashioned sound in the style of ROTTING CHRIST albums from the mid-90s. Metal Archives users brought up the US CEREMONIUM to the top of “similar bands” section; I checked it out and noticed a certain similarity, but only in terms of playing techniques. In terms of feelings and atmosphere, CÓNDOR is completely different. Their music is not merciless and cold, but thoughtful, uplifting, somehow close to that of the Argentinians GENUFLEXIÓN, and probably a little anxious. CÓNDOR are in no hurry and do not try to impress anyone with their heaviness. Beautiful leads and solos are spread over carefully played slow and medium tempo riffs. Vocals try to take up as little time as possible so as not to distract attention from the music. Despite their slow pace, CÓNDOR do not let the listener get bored, as their musical solutions are far from Doom Metal standards. It's more like Heavy Metal, made in doomy forms, because it's very diverse. It should be noted that CÓNDOR music does not work at high speed. The track ”La muerte de José María Córdova" is 70% Speed Metal of some weird sort; it sounds absolutely ridiculous and even funny. Because of this track, I immediately lowered the rating of the entire record. Why did they even think that it was a good idea! But don't let it distract you from the main point: “Aurë Entuluva" is a must-listen, because it's a soulful album with a very interesting sound.
