Loathfinder / Druj - Aspects of Oblation

LOATHFINDER / DRUJ - Aspects of Oblation (GODZ OV WAR - CD 2019)

Here's split CD called "Aspects of Oblation" from Godz ov War and for me it was a good opportunity to check two bands, which I only knew by name, but I didn’t have a chance to hear their previous recordings (which were also released for Godz ov War, by the way). Their names are Loathfinder and Druj. 

And the Polish band opens the split... I have to say that I like Loathfinder’s music more. They play quite interesting mixture of doom, death, black metal, but in that kind of more progressive way, as nothing in their music is simple and foreseeable. There's a whole lot of unique arrangements, great diversity in the riffage and style - from fast opening part of "Soil of the Starving" to the sludgy, instrumental parts of songs like "The Ugliest Crown". This is where the atmosphere calms down, giving a listener a nice mesmerizing feel, what always sounds great, when is aside to more aggressive and furious black / death metal riffage. I would prefer to avoid describing some of these parts as post metal, but that comparison comes to my mind immediately just as much as sludge does, so I don't care, I did it. And as a result, I think we get pretty solid three songs, which did interest me a bit, even if it’s not a style of music, which I would listen to often and be my favourite. But it’s decent. 

As for American Druj, their music disappointed me strongly and to be honest, I think this band is just forgettable. Not only the production of their part of the split is not so good, but the songwriting and everything else about their music is boring and unimpressive. They're more death metal band, with a hint of doom, which can sometimes remind you bands from the Incantation worship circle. Well, normally I would love that kind of obscure death metal. But not this time, because Druj bores me. Maybe it’s only because of weak production, which is a reason why these riffs do not crush with a massive punch just as they normally should. Or maybe it’s because these riffs are not that interesting (very few are)... Your ears won’t bleed this time. All in all, Druj music is mediocre at best. There are many similar bands around these days, which are simply better than there’s no point troubling your mind with this particular act. 

Neither of these two bands managed to impress me 100%, but Loathfinder at least sounds interesting. Druj is nothing special, which is a shame. In the end I think that "Aspects of Oblation" is not a mandatory release, but one for the devoted underground metal collectors only. I won't be playing it often in the future, I'm afraid. I hoped for something better. 

Verdict: 60/100