Year: 2022
Label: Pest Productions
Rating: 8,4/10
I didn't expect that this would ever happen, but in the summer of 2021, the second album of the Chinese project BORKR was quietly and imperceptibly released, 9 years after the debut. Unfortunately, this is not really a “new” album, but also an old record that has been lying on the shelf for a long time. And, even worse, it was part of the planned autumnal trilogy of BORKR, the third part of which, as I understood from the press release, was not recorded. Therefore, it is unlikely that we will hear anything else from this melancholic Chinese, but two albums are still better than one.
Let me remind you that ”Amber", the debut album of BORKR, was the shameless clone of the great ”Forgotten Legends" of DRUDKH. On the one hand, it's a little indecent to clone someone else's style, and on the other, for 20 years there has not been a single album in this world that could convey the unique amber warmth that “Forgotten Legends" was imbued with. At least I don't know about them. Only BORKR succeeded in that direction. At one time, I tried very actively to advertise “Amber”, but, obviously, in vain; the print run of hasn't been sold at label to this very day. It's a shame, of course. Taking this opportunity, I urge you to listen and buy the album!
As for the second record, it turned out to be more independent musically. DRUDKH is still strong with this one, but it's not a clone anymore. Here you can find elements of the sound of albums from the period 2006-2009, and the overall feeling that the album evokes has become darker, characteristic of a rainy late autumn. That is, copper. I really liked the peculiar sound in which each instrument stands out in its own interesting way. Bass, drums and guitars work each in their own direction, but somehow they manage to create an unbroken musical panorama. It is also interesting that the bass works almost as the main instrument; it is always present at the forefront. The guitar voices are a little sparse, but bold; the musician quite often allows himself to play a solo on top of a rhythm guitar. Vocals do not spoil the overall impression, and it is even possible to make out individual statements on different natural themes. As a result, we have classic atmospheric metal in the best traditions of DRUDKH, which Ukrainians themselves have not played for a long time. Rejoice and support it.
English (UK) 
Крыўская