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3.7 (4 votes) | :
Draugveil‘s Cruel World of Dreams and Fears is an epic 90s black metal album that wasn’t released in the 90s; although, it could’ve easily passed for such an album, (if it were at all possible to have) released it back in the early-to-mid 90s era of black metal… This album (is) that precision-point perfect.
There are two things that I want to discuss in my review… the album as a whole, and then the controversy surrounding the album. But first, the album…
So, here we have the album cover… and a very unique one at that! Yevhen Konovalov (a.k.a. Draugveil) is wearing a suit of armour, laying (more like posing) on the ground, in a “bed of red roses” with a sword stuck into the ground in front of him. It’s a very extraordinary, eye-catching piece, and it’s most definitely a conversation-starter; that’s for sure!
The music on the album is heavy-laden with romanticism, which is obviously a rare find in black metal. Not all the songs, mind you, are… but most of the album very much is.
The heavy, intense atmosphere of Cruel World of Dreams and Fears preludes with the first track “Knight Without a Name”… This song is so immersive and compelling, I fucking (feel) it so Goddamn much! The drumming holds a fast, mesmerisingly impressive, unrelenting thumping beat that masterfully unwaivers throughout (not just with this track alone; but for most of the album’s duration). It’s a feeling that persists all the way through, even when it isn’t at all present. The harrowing singing and screaming on this track that Yevhen conveys is otherworldly! Passionate scream-singing that flows so smoothly and effortlessly… like a river of melted, shimmering gold. When he’s singing, you can feel the pain and intense emotions in his voice… it’s just that dynamic! Yevhen’s vocals throughout, while most definitely black metal, and by no means “clean singing”… even without reading the lyrics, you know, and can feel his immense plight! It’s overwhelmingly very understandable. The chorus is addictively prominent; while the riffs carry strong, persistent, addictive melodies throughout. The ending riffs… so cold, it freezes you all over with such an embracing chill.
Upon the first note, “Moonlit Resurrection” immediately transports the listener back into the 90s era of black metal… especially how the drumming on this particular track pummels throughout; it harbors such vast chaos within! And the way this man screams is on a whole other level of high-powered epicness!
“Griefmarch” is a really short, fast-paced marching type of song… With fast, excessive, rhythmical beats, you’ll find yourself being pulled vehemently into it! It’s an epically addictive as hell song to listen to!
“My Sword Points to the Past” is an extremely short, yet effectively alluring (instrumental) keyboard piece, that from the very moment I heard it, I was swept up and taken back in time to what was my introduction into black metal… Dimmu Borgir’s ‘Stormblåst’, with that epic (obviously) plagiarized instrumental piece by (Stian Aarstad). Draugveil’s song very strongly reminds me of that very beautiful piece of music; as well as his is just as equally beautiful. While not near as long as “Sorgens Kammer”, Yevhen’s piece has that same overtly chilling essence, while maintaining his own direct style… evocative… cold… desolate… spellbinding… It literally sends chills all over your body whilst listening to it!
A more melancholic, slower-paced song, “Wolves Feast on Forgotten Dreams” seems to go by a whole lot faster than it should. With faint guitars echoing, it’s very reminiscent of a wintry night sky, while on the ground below, an isolated wolf howls, complacent in the shadows of a blistering, snow-covered forest. Definitely some epic, serious thought-provision here.
“Etched Oath” is remarkably reminiscent of “Moonlit Resurrection”… guiding itself beautifully towards the next track “Soiltear”…
“Soiltear” is not only beautiful, but “Chef’s kiss” epic and is my favorite track of the whole album! It’s one of the most all-consuming atmospheric black metal songs that I have, quite honestly, ever had the utmost pleasure of hearing! An atmosphere so clutching, it’s like a painful chill of brisk autumn winds clashing heavily into winter… a winter that exudes a blistering cold, desolate, harrowing essence! Permeated chilling riffs embody the entirety of this song. But, it’s the ending riffs clouded with such a harsh, wintry ‘feel’ that heavily heightens the endarkened grey undertones within. “Soiltear” is a very emotional, almost painfully exhausting song; but it’s perfectly beautiful… To be quite honest here, I was completely unaware of Selvnatt until listening to this song. I will say it’s a very nice pairing between Yevhen and Selvnatt; as well as to give due credit to Selvnatt for writing the lyrics.
With “Beneath the Armor I Rot” (which is another instrumental piece) reminds me yet again, so much of early Dimmu Borgir… not at all the same in any way… just wistful ‘hints’ of an era long gone.
“Vortex” goes in for the kill… fast… fast as all hell… A vortex within its own vortex that pulls you up inside of itself! It’s so unrelentingly violent, it suffocates you completely, making it impossible to even breathe… The darkened whirlwind of sound and voice surrounds you like a stronghold, and doesn’t let up… not even for a second… until it drops you hard to the ground at the end. Absolutely beyond epic!
And, lastly… “When Silence Became My Kingdom” is very Morbid Angel-esque… not in the way that you’d think… their instrumental piece “Dreaming” is what I’m very highly reminded of when listening to this song. What makes this song even more unique is… if you really listen close enough, you can hear vinyl record ‘pops’ all throughout. A true ‘classic’ sound… I love it!
So, now I’d like to delve just briefly into the (in my honest opinion) absolutely inane controversy that shrouds Draugveil’s debut release…
…is the album cover art AI? Are the music and lyrics AI? If you ask me my honest take on either, my answer is unequivocally… no.
The album cover art, as wild as it is, I honestly believe it to be real. Photoshopping a bit, sure, probably. Yes, I know that roses do not grow up from the ground like that. The album art I’m sure is real; with images placed around where they’re needed to be, for the achieved, desired effect. Well, that’s what my thoughts are on it, anyway. It was without a doubt meant to grab people’s attention; and it did. It’s immensely just too creative an art piece to be AI.
About the music and lyrics!? So, it seems controversial for rhymed poetry to exist in black metal? It must be AI! It has to be AI! No, AI is completely and totally void of any kind of actual realistic feeling. Draugveil’s songs genuinely harbor so much intense, raw passion! If you actually delve deep into each actual song, you can hear that unwavering rawness of emotion. I do not believe, not even for one second, that Draugveil’s songs are AI.
Yevhen Konovalov, at 23 years of age, is an absolute genius! For not even being around in the time period he’s seemingly, masterfully recreating… he’s unquestionably doing a damn fine job of it. Draugveil knows how to transport the listener back into a time that had so much of some of the best black metal to offer… and keeps you there for the entire album’s run time. Truly an extraordinary accomplishment!
Cruel World of Dreams and Fears… Pure 90s-esque black metal perfection… earns the second “Chef’s kiss” I’ve ever given to an album. Vicarivs Filii Dei’s album ‘Ecclesiam Salus Non Est’ was the first, back in 2020.
Draugveil’s magnum opus of an album is massively addictive to listen to; as well as it’s epically beautiful! From the day Black Metal Promotion had it uploaded.. I was hooked instantly! And since that day, I’m sure I’ve listened to it well over a hundred times by now! I can concretely say that this album is my Album of the Year in 2025… and there’s still half a year left to go!
https://www.instagram.com/draugveil
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