Taking their name from the Indian deity of Destruction, Singapore’s underground legends Rudra returns with their tenth full-length album. Throughout their career, Rudra has never been content with simplistic notions, and Eight Mahavidyas is a concept album that explores eight female characters extending from ancient times till the 18th century who broke stereotypes and ended up being outstanding teachers of wisdom.
Each track is a lengthy incursion into the realms of extreme metal and its subject matter, whether it be the chanted invocations of ‘’The Sleepless Lullaby”’ and its shredding doom riff to the double kick mayhem and blasting of ‘’Resistance is Futile” and its mellow passages, the gravitas is tangible. The clipped, aggressive vocals of Kathir are delivered with a sense of urgency as on the excellent ‘’Venerating Primordial Passion’’.
He is excellently recorded with some great solo bass parts and cracking riffs that capture frenzied thrash glory through to black metal tremolo. Special mention must go to Shiva, and his excellent percussion work, the accuracy and power of the double kick work is searing and precise.
‘’Apprehending Through Negation’’ captures a cracking metal riff with an intensity that explodes into mayhem, and ‘’ Marching Against the Monarch’’ with its rhythmic stomping glory simply more highlights whilst closer ‘’ Auspicious Widow’’ is suitably fast-paced and full of explosive energy and some excellent guitar highlights.
Eight Mahavidyas is a complex journey full of rich tapestries and traditions.
Combined with musical excellence and the glorious Awakening Records treatment, it is an album to be savoured and experienced. It is the essence of brutality and beauty merged into a singular force with measured aggression and melody.
Rudra: Facebook
Release Year: 2022
Label: Awakening Records
Category: Album
Country: Singapore
Reviewed by Sparky
