Adnauseam, La Horde Noire website [France]:

Il semblerait qu'actuellement dans chaque pays on trouve un label pour perpétuer exclusivement la scene de sa région, et c'est le cas du label lithuanien Ledo Takas qui soutient la scene des pays baltes (Estonie, Lettonie, Lituanie) qui semble etre en pleine ébulition comme le montre Urskumug une jeune formation crée en 2001. Ce premier enregistrement pour Ledo Takas est en fait le second album du groupe succédant a "Pareja" un premier album autoproduit en 2003. C'est avec plaisir que j'ai pu constater qu'on retrouvait dans cette formation, l'ancien keybordiste et chanteur de l'excellent groupe Heresiarh qui se charge ici des synthés et de backing vocals. Il ne s'agit pas du meme style cependant, ni aucunement du meme concept. D'ailleurs, le concept de URSKUMUG a l'instar d'une autre formation de l'Est, Negura Bunget, est vraiment tres intéressant, le groupe semble d'ailleurs savoir de quoi il parle et bien le maitriser (ce qui est rare). Il ne s'agit pas d'un concept sur le paganisme mais carrément sur le pré-paganisme. Le nom du groupe provient d'une nouvelle d'un auteur anglais Robert Holdstock et évoque une sorte de créature moitié animal entre ourson et sanglier et moitié humaine qui représenterait en fait le premier moule humain. Le visuel du groupe est semblable a l'originalité du reste puisque faisant écho a la pochette. Ce groupe me fait vraiment penser a la démarche de Negura Bunget. Par-contre la musique ne fait pourtant pas écho a cette originalité et cette profondeur qui émane de Urskumug malheureusement. Il s'agit certes d'un black metal correct, tres puissant, le label parle d'un aspect tribal que je n'ai pas trop ressenti mais qui peut provenir de la boite a rythme. On a dans l'ensemble un black metal assez rentre-dedans qui manque d'originalité, un peu peut-etre comme les premiers NEGURA BUNGET avec ce décalage entre richesse conceptuelle et richesse musicale. Pourtant ca ne sonne pas fade, ce sont des morceaux bruts, assez directs, mais cependant pas assez (en fait tres peu voire pas) parsemés de parties ambiantes ou de folklore local ou ancestral, comme on pourrait s'y attendre (comme par exemple le ferait Darkestrah). C'est vraiment le coté black metal brut, rentre-dedans qui ressort, le synthé est d'ailleurs assez en retrait et les mélodies parfois bancales; on est pas la dans un black lancinant ou atmosphérique ou mélodique et ni aucunement dans du vieux black crade et malsain, mais dans un black direct et rapide, frénétique, parfois avec des riffs plaqués, saccadés, avec une voix peut-etre pas assez criée qui tend parfois vers une voix black tendance death, qui est peut-etre un peu monotone. Mais l'ensemble est tout a fait honorable et on sent que URSKUMUG a un potentiel de créativité mais qui reste a développer. [7 / 10]

 

Ajje, Metal Recensionen website [Sweden]:

Am Nodr är debut plattan av detta pagan Black Metal band från det baltiska landet Lettland. Just kvalitets metal från detta land har varit en bristvara. Det som varit bra inom den genren från landet kommer från samma bolag som Urskumug är på, det vill säga Ledo Takas. Så förhoppningar finns på denna skiva även fast det finns låttitlar såsom "~~~~" och "Talking As A Shaman's Son".
Efter det futuristiska introt "2012" som säkerligen anspelar på årtalet kommer albumets första "riktiga" låt vid titeln "Time Of The Jackdaw". Det är ett bra spår med bra gitarriff och rätt bra sång som påminner en del om Attila Csihar i mellan åt. Det som sänker helhetsintrycket av låten är maskintrummorna då de låter oerhört "tunna" och variationen är inte stor. "Beowulf" är inte en bättre version av det tidigare spåret snarare tvärtom om. Trummorna blir som en enda stor gröt i skallen och de tidigare bra riffen är som bortblåsta. Det positiva är sången. Den använder sig av ytterligare en stämma, en mörkare nästan dödsmetall lik sådan och självklart ger det en välbehövlig variation.
Så var vi framme till världens mest kreativa låttitel. "~~~~" heter den och jag undrar verkligen vad de tänkte på när de döpte låten. Det är som att döpa en unge till "det" eller "den" etc. Totalt värdelöst i min mening. Huvudsaken ju trots allt ifall låten i fråga är bra eller dålig. Tyvärr tillhör den den senare kategorin. Andra låten med en knepig titel är "Talking As A Shaman's Son". Till skillnad från "~~~~" så är denna låt faktiskt riktigt bra. Riffen låter skarpare och melodiösare än tidigare, sången verkar även den höja sig något snäpp och trummorna är inte heller lika irriterande. Kort och gott kan man säga att det är den bästa låten hittills. "The Guardian" blir ett tråkigare och sämre spår än vad "Talking As A Shaman's Son" var. Tempot är det samma hela vägen och trummorna är fruktansvärt monotona och tråkiga. Sången känns hämmad på något vis, som om han inte riktigt tar i till fullo.
Titelspåret är ytterliggare en uppryckning, kanske inte i klass med låt nummer fem men nästan. De andra låtarna har påmint en hel del om den norska scenen (speciellt Mayhem), men nu börjar jag även finna lite avtryck av den svenska. Och helt otvivelaktigt är det positivt. För första gången hörs även viss tempoväxling vilket saknas på de andra spåren och lite keybordeffekter hörs också för första gången, även det ett bra inslag. Sången är mycket bättre i jämförelse med det tidigare spåret och den tunga mörka growlen dyker återigen upp och köttar på. Ett gäng härliga riff bränns av från början på det sista spåret vid titeln "Mother Of Halfworld". Tyvärr hålls tempot nästan exakt likadant hela vägen vilket inte är till låtens favör. Vad som istället står i låtens favör är sången som ofta går till en dödsmetall stämma och det svarta gurglet ger mer uttryck än många gånger tidigare. Alltså ett rätt bra sätt att avsluta plattan på.
Sammanfattningsvis så kan man säga att det inte är ett dåligt album men inte heller ett höjdaralbum. Vad man istället kan säga är att skivan är väldigt jämn. Om man skulle betygsätta alla låtar skulle betyget hålla sig mellan fyra till sex, och det vill säga "dåligt" till "bra". En stor potential verkar finnas eftersom det krävs inte mycket mer än en ordentlig trummis, mer omväxling och självklart bättre låtmaterial för att de ska kunna släppa en riktigt bra skiva. Så nästa släpp blir trots allt intressant även om denna skiva enbart får en femma i betyget. [5 / 10]

 

Alessandro 'Ripe' Riperi, EUTK.net website [Italy]:

Negli ultimi anni l'etichetta lituana Ledo Takas Records si e segnalata per un interessante lavoro di valorizzazione del panorama underground delle tre repubbliche baltiche. Prima con gli ottimi estoni Loits, autori di quel "Vere Kutse Kohustab" che mi fece gridare al miracolo lo scorso Febbraio. Poi con gli storici lituani Dissimulation, band blasfema e controversa dedita sul suo "Prakeikimas" ad un thrash di taglio moderno. E ci riprova ora con la prima band del suo roaster proveniente dalla Lettonia: gli Urskumug. Che, a leggere dalla biografia, dovrebbero essere una band black metal tutta particolare, grazie all'inserimento di bizzarri break e al sapore di rituali tribali. Mi pare pero che la Ledo Takas stavolta abbia voluto fare il passo piu lungo della gamba, caratterizzando in questa maniera volutamente esagerata un gruppo che in realta si muove su coordinate black piuttosto canoniche. Una musica che, nei momenti piu atmosferici, si basa su un tappeto di tastiere in piena tradizione Emperor, ma che sa soprattutto proporre partiture epiche in stile Satyricon, dove anche la voce dura e gutturale ricorda un po il lavoro del gruppo norvegese. Di tribale ci resta qualche percussione, e un paio di inserimenti elettronici che dovrebbero sottolineare il carattere arcano di questa musica, ma che sono troppo vaghi e ininfluenti per lasciare il segno. Non che la musica degli Urskumug non sia piacevole, semplicemente dalla biografia e dal foglietto di accompagnamento mi aspettavo qualcosa di piu caratteristico. Rimane l'ottimo lavoro delle chitarre e soprattutto la perfetta programmazione di una drum machine che non fa mai rimpiangere un batterista in carne e ossa: praticamente perfetta! Per ora inferiori ai loro compagni di etichetta, gli Urskumug dovranno accentuare le coordinate su cui hanno puntato, oppure lasciar perdere l'aspetto tribale per concentrarsi su quelli che veramente sono gli aspetti positivi della loro musica. [6,5 / 10]

 

Alex, The Metal Observer website [Canada]:

2004. The debut album "Pareja" by Riga’s URSKUMUG arrives on my doorstep, good rough Melodic Black Metal. 2007. The Latvians sign a deal with Lithuanian Ledo Takas Records label and release their next album "Am Nodr". So far the timeline in the career of the gentlemen Krauklis, Maero, Balrogh, Mythago and Ilze.
The style definitely is Black Metal, it is melodic, yet at the same time it is not the usual symphonic sound we are treated to so often, but URSKUMUG sound a lot gruffer and rougher than the majority of comparable bands, even though the production is very clear and powerful. Instead the Latvians have a sort of primordial (no, not the band) quality to them, managing to weave unusual melodies and guitar runs into the wall of riffs and drums they erect, bludgeoning the listener and even utilize a mouth harp to add authenticity to their sound.
After the odd, almost Industrial like intro "2012" we get a heavy hit straight to the noggin with "Time Of The Jackdaw", partly atmospheric, partly pure blastbeat frenzy, so you can see, they are not just crashing full force ahead, but also know when to take out the tempo and the heaviness for best effect. The guitar sound is cold and has this Nordic touch and works well with the powerful compositions. "----" (yes, that is the title) even combines frantic blastbeats with mouth harp, while "The Guardian" pairs blastbeats and slower parts with mouth harp, while the title track covers an impressive spectrum from slow, intense and atmospheric over tribal-like percussion and light chanting up to powerful double-bass and blastbeats, this is one hell of a track!
It might take a little to get into URSKUMUG’s sound, as they are not very accessible, yet if you give them a little more time, then you’ll be rewarded with an original, powerful and still melodic Black Metal album that has character, something countless bands out there, something that should be honoured! [8 / 10]

 

Alvaro Pacheco, Burning Black webzine [Chile]:

This young Latvian band, formerly called Raven, took their name from a creature in Robert Holdstock fantasy novels that is one quarter bear, one quarter boar and half human. That's an interesting detail considering the shamanic approach of their concept (as you probably know, all shamanic cultures included attributing animal qualities or forms to human beings). Their music has been classified as “Tribal” or “Pre-Pagan” Black Metal, due its quite unusual pre-historic based concept, far from the common Satanist, Pagan or War-inspired Black Metal. But beside of their clear and pretty innovating concept, the music of Urskumug can be easily categorized as traditional sounding Black Metal, with strong and marked Scandinavian influences, names such Darkthrone and principally Enslaved will come to your mind when listen to “Am Nodr” (“The Other Side” translated). The music moves at full speed with sharpened guitar lines and sometimes chaotic programmed drums, which despite of the natural inconveniences of a drum machine, doesn't sound bad at all. The voices are also quite standard sounding, mixing black shrieks with low deathly grunts, nothing really original but fitting with the whole music and concept. The “Tribal” and “Pre-Pagan” elements appear once in a while as interesting background effects or short interludes adding a renewed touch to the typical chaotic, blasting Black Metal atmospheres. Considering “Am Nodr” is their first full-length and third release (counting the split demo with Medievil which contained their entire first demo 2004 “Pareja”), we can say it's a good album, nothing to get mad about, but pretty enjoyable… I think Urskumug can do it (even) better, the clear potential and the strong concept are there, waiting for a next chance…

 

Andi Bauer, Voices From The Darkside website [Germany]:

URSKUMUG are hailing from Letvia, released a CD-R called "Pareja" and some song-features on compilations prior to this album. "Am Nodr" offers basic, at times technical, Black / Death Metal music with tribal rhythms and percussion woven into the soundscape. This is also where the lyrical concept of URSKUMUG is heading to: baltic, pagan / "pre"-pagan themes and myths. The whole album is done with fine and skilled musicianship and is produced clearly and "fat". A good but not really ground-breaking output. To be really outstanding it features too much standard Black / Death Metal instead of the tribal influenced stuff which really sounded interesting. Nevertheless we could hear even more of URSKUMUG in the future.

 

Andre Aaslie, Scream magazine [Norway]:

[vertimas]
Kad grupės pavadinimas įkvėptas skandinaviškos metalinės scenos, nėra labai stebėtina. Kad muzika taipogi giminiuojasi su minėta scena, yra pozityvu, nors aš norėčiau didesnės savitumo dozės. Klausydamasis kiek nesuvokiu, kur grupė suka su savo ambicijomis. Rodos, kad ritmika čia besąlygiškai vyrauja visoje produkcijoje. Ji veikia tikrai puikiai, bet deja, ji viena nesukuria tikrai verto produkto. Tai talentinga grupė iš Latvijos, tačiau bijau, kad šį kartą muzika pilnai neatitinka vizijų. [3 / 6]

 

Anna Tergel, The Metallian website [Canada]:

Boy, the band's biography had me so wary of this album that nearly anything would have been a pleasant surprise after reading it, not to mention how Urskumug is in point of fact a fantastic brutal metal album of superlative proportions. Where the biography lists a keyboardist and two persons operating a drum machine, the band has a full, brutal and creative sound that will delight death metal and black metal fans. The amount of power generated by these Latvian four is enough to power a city-state. The band describes itself as a “pagan metal” band and titles like Talking As A Shaman's Son, Time Of The Jackdaw and Mother Of Halfworld pull no punches. The band is pretty intricate and mixes in many subtle elements in its music. One suspects that each subsequent listen might yield yet another little ditty not noticed before, yet Urskumug at its core is a blasting powerhouse with teeth. The grade should be more around the 75 mark, but the lack of a drummer and deference to ethnic customs and instrumentations are an annoyance. [70 / 100]

 

Arcane, Metalrage website [Netherlands]:

Latvia, even there live some black metalheads. It's always nice to see how black metal is spreading the dark over our doomed world.
Urskumug, a band I'd never heard of before. Am Nodr already is their 2nd full length release, and saw daylight in April of 2006. Umskumug describe their style as tribal black metal. The first band that came up in my mind was Sepultura, with Roots. I saw some Indians bashing on some tribal drums with some burning crosses on the background offering a sheep to some ancient god. No really, I didn't had the slightest idea what I could expect.
When I heard the first notes out of my speakers I was rather surprised. The intro song sounded very mechanical, it would fit very well on and album of Thorns, Dødheimsgard or The Kovenant. And the real 1st song, 'Time Of The Jackdaw' doesn't sound "tribal" to me at all. It just sounds like some decent Scandinavian black metal. Mostly up-tempo, some nice cold riffs, melodic licks and some solid vocals.
So I thought the tribal element would show up in the other songs, but it didn't. so you can forget tribal. But does that make this album less worth listening to? Not at all. Okay, they don't come up with some new idea's, but it sounds solid as a rock. A great production by Gints Lundsberg (Skyforger), some nice artwork and some strong black metal songs make this album worth buying. [72 / 100]

 

Astus, The Nocturnal Battle of Chariots webmagazine [Poland]:

No i kolejny zabojczy stuff z LEDO TAKAS!!!! Oto kolejni krajanie wytworni, no i kolejny wyjebany w kosmos band! Az szkoda, iz nie posiadam w tej chwili zbyt wiele info o tych chlopakach, bo plyta "Am Nord" jest wiecej, jak swietna. Wpierw rzucila mi sie w oko fajna oprawa graficzna, w zloto - brazowych kolorach, jakos tak jesiennie to wyglada. A strona muzyczna to czysta metalowa przyjemnosc!!! Najprosciej mozna okreslic ten album black metalowym, bardzo szybkim i bezkompromisowym, ale jednoczesnie zawierajacym sporo melodii i wolniejszych fragmentow. Jest to takze monumentalna i majestatyczna muzyka, pelna gniewu, ale i poganskiej atmosfery. Gitary prowadza ta muzyke z oryginalnie brzmiacymi melodiami, swietnie slyszalny jest bas, a wokale sa zroznicowane, poczawszy od skrzeku a'la KVIST az po gleboki growl. Wszystko idzie szybko do przodu, to jakby agresywna i niepowstrzymana kanonada! A fakt, iz kawalki maja po 5-6 minut swiadcza jedynie o tym, jak bogato zaaranzowane sa te numery, jak zroznicowane sa ich struktury. Sa tu nawet nieco dziwne momenty, jak w utworze tytulowym, kiedy pojawia sie wolny, ale jakby zupelnie inny rodzaj riffowania. Innym razem URSKUMUG uzywa dziwacznych instrumentow, ktore zajebiscie tu pasuja i dopelniaja cudownie ta masywna, silna sciane dzwieku. A koniec plyty dostarcza nostalgiczne solo gitarowe oraz dziwaczne outro. W wolnych fragmentach URSKUMUG przypomina mi ENSLAVED, w tych szybszych przypomina mi sie KVIST, ale generalnie to caly CD jest inny od wszystkiego, co do tej pory slyszalem. Moze przypomina tez troche SEAR BLISS? Tak czy siak, obie kapele maja swoja wlasna wizje black metalu, a "Am Nord" to zajebisty album!!! I tyle. [9 / 10]

 

Baltack, Pavillon 666 webzine [France]:

URSKUMUG est un groupe originaire de la Lettonie formé en 2001 et qui auparavant officiait sous le nom de Raven. Pratiquant un black métal atmosphérique, leur premier album auto-produit Pareja en 2003 recut un tres bon accueil et en fit un des groupes les plus populaires de métal dans leur pays natal! Un line-up stable voit le jour avec Krauklis (guitars, drum programming, vocals), Maero (guitars, drum programming), Draake (keys, effects, additionnal) et Krivisks (basse, effects). C’est en 2006 que URSKUMUG nous présente son véritable premier album "Am Nodr" signé chez le label Lituanien Ledo Takas Records!
Evoluant dans un style méconnu, le "tribal black métal" (?) je dirai que ce groupe nous offre un black métal puissant, rapide et atmosphérique...
"2012" premier morceau de cet album m'a fait un peu peur (son electro) qui de part l’atwork de la pochette ne me laissait pas présager une telle sonorité, mais des les premiers accords de "Time Of the Jackdow" j’ai été réconforté! "Beowulf" a démontré par le suite que je ne m’étais pas trompé… Tempos rapides, guitares acérées, vocaux puissants font que ce groupe exprime son art avec ferveur et donne a cet ensemble captivant de bonnes compostions. Melant un bon nombre d'instruments comme le dijiridou, la guimbarde ou encore des sons de clavier hypnotique, le potentiel de ce groupe est tres marqué. Une boite a rythme tres bien programmée qui nous fait oublier cette lacune (qui n’en ai pas forcement une: la preuve!) et une bonne maitrise des instruments donne le ton a ce "Am Nodr"! Empruntant principalement pour les textes des themes comme le shamanisme ou le temps, ce coté nature est vraiment présent dans la démarche artistique de ce groupe. Dommage que peu d’éléments musicaux penchants plus vers ce coté ne soient présents tout au long de l’album, mais laissons ce groupe se forger son identité dans ces futurs albums…
URSKUMUG fait partie de ces groupes qui va tres vite mais qui pourtant grace a ses atmospheres nous laisse tout au long de cet opus une sensation d’élévation musicale.
Un album a découvrir et un groupe a suivre! [7 / 10]

 

Ben, Heavymetal.hu website [Hungary]:

Kellemes meglepetest okozott a lett banda lemeze. 2002-ben alakultak es az Am Nodr az elso albumuk, amit egy kis kiadon (Ledo Takas) keresztul jelentettek meg. A zenekar informacioja szerint, gyors, atmoszferikus black metal a stilus, ami helytallo. A felallas nem hetkoznapi, mivel a 4 tagbol allo egyuttesben ketten felelosek a gitarert es dobprogramert. A basszer kezeli a szintetizatort a negyedik taggal, aki az eneken felul meg zajokkal, zorejekkel es effektusokkal gazdagitja a zenet. Tehat a nap vegen mindenki butykol valami billentyut! Azert a dolog nem megy at indusztrialis black stilusba!
A rigai Phoenix studioban rogzitett anyag aranyosan es tisztan szol, ami elismeres, hiszen kizart dolog, hogy a felvetelre csillagaszati osszeg allt volna rendelkezesre. Az album egy jol eltalalt ipari zajokat tartalmazo rovid gitar/dob bevezetessel kezdodik. Ezutan het, atlagosan 5-6 perc hosszu, atlathato dalszerkezetu black szam kovetkezik, ami elegendo idot ad a letteknek temaik reszletes kibontasara. A gyors tempot otletesen megtordelik egyeni atvezetesekkel, betetekkel vagy zuzos gitaralapon szolokkal.
Ilyenkor jelenik meg leggyakrabban a szintetizator, mint hangulati alafesto, de kozbeiktatnak rovidebb thrash/death riffeket is. A par masodperces anyanyelven bevezetett hatodik (The Guardian) szam kozepen pedig dorongot hallunk, ami nem egy hetkoznapi hangszer a mufajban. A legelso Solefald albumon hallottam utoljara. Az enek tipikus black karogas, helyenkent melyebb death horgessel fuszerezve.
Az igazi dobhangzast megkozelito dobgep egy kicsit kiszamithatova teszi az utemeket, viszont hallottam ennel sokkal sterilebbet is. A porgeteseket es valtasokat viszont otletesen kidolgoztak, amiert a hallgato nem erez egyhangusagot. Az utemek a gyors grind tempotol a tika-tikaig valtoznak, de tetszettek a szaggatott ketlabgepes temak is.
Az album boritoja, a kiolvashatatlan zenekari logoval, nem tipikus black metal. Egy, a szemlelore meredo ferfit abrazol csuha alol, aki akar lehet egy mezogazdasagi vallalkozo is!
A fo ok, amiert az anyag nem alapmu, az a gitartemakban rejlik. Nagyon hianyoltam egy-ket igazi dogos-szennyes, rockos black riffet a hosszadalmas es sablonszeruen ismetlodo gitarok helyett. Ezek foleg a lemez kozepen talalhatoak (Beowulf). A keves olykor tobb! Tovabba elfert volna meg tobb torzsi vagy indusztrialis elem is, amikkel a vontatott reszeket mellozni lehetett volna. Az album utolso ket tetele viszont ujbol erdeklodest valtott ki belolem. Stilusilag ez a ket szam elter a lemez egysegetol, mivel tobb billentyuvel, torzsi dobokkal es doom/death riffel, valamint egy nagyon eltalalt lassu zarassal fejezik be a muvet. Ha az utobbiak dominalnak, a zene teljesen mentes lett volna a sablontol! [7 / 10]

 

Birutė, Ferrum.lt portal [Lithuania]:

Ketvirtasis šių metų mėnuo pretenduoja tapti vienu gausiausių metalo scenos įvykiais. SODOM ir NILE šou mūsų žemelėje bei keletą smulkesnių koncertų apvainikuos dar ir naujo produkto pasirodymas. Tadas Ledas kaip tarė, taip ir padarė – po savo sparnu priglaudė vienus perspektyviausių latvių scenos juodulių URSKUMUG ir paskutinę balandžio dieną grasinasi išleisti jų antrąjį diską „Am Nodr“. Jau ne kartą teko juos matyti ir mūsų scenoje, neabejotinai dar ir teks, o kol kas pralenkime laiką ir pažiūrėkime, kas gi slepiasi „Kitoje pusėje“ (taip išvertus į gimtąją kalbą skamba šio tvarinio pavadinimas).
Pirmiausia verta priminti, kad pačios grupės pavadinimas reiškia mitologinį personažą, pusiau lokį ar šerną, pusiau žmogų, nužengusį iš Roberto Holdstock‘o fantastinių novelių. Na, o URSKUMUG kūrybos tekstai, kaip turbūt ir priklauso tribal / (pre-) pagan/black/atmospheric metalo išpažinėjams, yra gimtąja, t.y. latvių kalba, knygelėje išversta ir į anglų. Turint promo CD variantą, sunku pasakyti, apie ką byloja tamsioji lyrika, galima tik spėti – gentiniai karai, ugnys, ginklų žvangesys, ritualai... Tą išduoda nuožmus suodinas veidas, pridengtas maišinio audeklo gobtuvu – visai kaip sceniniame šou, kuris kai kam sukelia šypseną. Bet nesijuokit, pasiklausius „Am Nodr“ muzikos, suprantama ir šio įvaizdžio prasmė, ir dar kai kas...
Keturiais skaičiais pažymėtas intro, kupinas efektų, primenančių tiek DIMMU BORGIR užmačias, tiek radio eterio šnypštimus, po pusminutės perauga į ilgiausią šio disko kompoziciją, kuri tuo pačiu yra ir viena aršiausių – tikras grynakraujo, pirmapradžio, bekompromisio black metalo pavyzdys. Iš karto reikia pagirti „Phoenix“ studijos personalą, už beveik nepriekaištingą įrašo kokybę, aišku, ir pačius muzikantus – už gerą techniką. Na, skonio reikalas, bet aš asmeniškai teikiu pirmenybę „gyviems“ būgnams. URSKUMUG‘ams atrodo kitaip – jie manosi tokios muzikos dvasiai perteikti geriau tinkant programuojamą mašiną. Bet grįžkim prie “Time Of The Jackdaw”, kuris, be savo ekstremalumo, dar yra ir vienas įstabiausių albumo gabalų. „Beowulf“ tuo tarpu prasideda be jokios pertraukos, kaip paskui galima įsitikinti, ir kiti gabalai tarsi sujungti į vieną blekerišką ciklą. Šis gabalas smogia ne mažesne, nors ir trumpesne, jėga, pagal tikrai geriausius panašaus stiliaus pavyzdžius, bet, kas svarbiausia, ne standartus. O kūrinys „išsitrynusiu“ pavadinimu gali pakerėti techniškumu, tempu, įtaigia atmosfera ir... patikti OBTEST gerbėjams, sąšaukų su kurių muzika čia išties nemažai. Nieko keisto, juk broliai baltai, pagan idėjos, artimos sielos. Ypač čia išskirtinos gitaros, kurios bendram chaotiškam ir, matyt, specialiai kakofoniškam skambesiui, įneša tam tikros harmonijos. Toliau prabyla „Šamano sūnus“, kurio istorija neabejotinai yra antra iš patraukliausių disko vietų. Turinti didelę porciją Draake klavišinių, dviejų tembrų vokalinių partijų ir tikrą šėtonišką atmosferą, tvoskiančią paties pragaro gelmėmis. Čia reikia paminėti ilgą kompozicijų trukmę, kuri toli gražu ne dirbtinai ištempta, o pripildyta kokybiško, efektingo skambesio. „Sergėtojo“ pradžia savotiškai įdomi – prasideda šnekomis (o gal čia paskutiniai šamano žodžiai?). Bet netrukus irgi užsimoja nuožmia, karingos dvasios muzika, tik laikykis. Tiesa, šis kūrinys iš dalies lyg ir lėtesnis už kitus, bet kupinas įsimintinų Kriviks‘o boso gitaros ir abiejų gitaristų programuotos būgnų mašinos ritmų, įvairių efektų ir pikto vokalo. Tenka tik stebėtis, kaip liesutis Krauklis gali išgauti tokį kriokimą ir stūgavimą...
O tada prieina eilė titulinei kompozicijai. Turbūt nesumeluosiu sakydama, kad ši, priešpaskutinė, yra turbūt pati pati įspūdingiausia. Čia girdėti ir ritualinių būgnelių ritmų, ir dažna tempo bei įvairių motyvų kaita, ir apskritai – sunkiai nusakomas jausmas. Tai dar vienas patvirtinimas, kad praktiškai nė viena latvių grupė niekada kai ko nemalė, kokiu stiliumi begrotų. Galiausiai „Mother Of Halfworld“ priveda prie visiško nokdauno, nes vėlgi pažeria pykčio, aršumo, sunkumo. Nors tai jau kažkiek panašu ir į death ar net grind metalą, pagrindas vis tik black plotmėje. Pasigirsta ir moteriškos šnekos, kaip ir priklauso, kalbant apie „pusės pasaulio motiną“, o pabaigai gauname puikių gitarinių rifų dozę. Greičiau, prieš pabaigai, nes dar turime tamsių klavišinių fone skambančias šamanizmo apraiškas, kurios tarsi patvirtina muzikantų pasirinkimą – keliauti dvasiniais labirintais ir atskleisti laiko bei erdvės paslaptį. Telydi juos šešėliai. Telydi jie ir mus... [9 / 10]

 

Bjorn Springorum, Metal Glory website [Germany]:

Von der kleinen lettischen Produktionsschmiede Ledo Takas, die uns schon mit der letzten Loits-Platte ungemein erfreute, schneite dieser Tage das erste offizielle Werk von Urskumug bei uns herein. Unleserlich und unaussprechlich wie es sich für eine lettische Band gehört, fegen uns die Osteuropäer mit „Am Nodr“ ein ziemlich wütendes Album lettischen Tribal Black Metals um die Ohren. Über acht Songs bewegen sich Urskumung zwischen traditionellem, sehr von Emperor in der „Nightside“-Phase beeinflussten Black Metal, Pagan Metal-Versatzstücken im Sinne früher Moonsorrow sowie dezenten Death Metal-Anklängen, die in der ganzen Sache auch am ehesten als störend empfunden werden. Größtenteils in hohen Tempogefilden zu Hause, weiß man auch in Lettland, wie die Gitarren hübsch klirrend und der Gesang ordentlich brummig zu klingen hat. Soundmäßig vielleicht gar einen Tick zu sauber, hat man zudem altertümliche Instrumente wie Maultrommeln in die Stücke eingefügt, die aus der knappen Dreiviertelstunde eine überaus nette und kurzweilige Angelegenheit lettischen Black Metals machen. Dann und wann verrennen sich die lettischen Wilden zwar in dissonante und schräge Gitarrenharmonien, jedoch findet man stets den Weg in das nächste kleine Highlight. So finden sich im Titeltrack rituelle Gesänge, hypnotische Percussions und Wolfsgeheul, was den nordischen Black Metal ungemein auflockert und ihm die Essenz des Besonderen verleiht.
Ein Album mit kleinen Schwächen, das jedoch seine Zeit braucht, um zu wirken. [7 / 10]

 

Britton W. Dicks, Metal Coven webzine [USA]:

From the land of the Semigalls come Urskumug! Very little in this part of the world known as North America is known about the Latvian Metal scene aside from the mighty Skyforger, but Urskumug (a name taken from a creature in Robert Holdstock fantasy novels that is one quarter bear, one quarter boar and half human) sure has surprised the hell out of me with "Am Nodr", their second full length album of unique Pagan/Heathen Metal that is sure to make the masses take notice world-wide.
Being a fan of Folk, Viking and Pagan Metal, even I have to admit that these genres were starting to get a little... not stale... but, monotonous is the word I guess. I can never tire of Folk or Pagan Metal, but it sure is a nice change of pace when a band like Urskumug comes around and injects a bit of ingenuity into their music. "Am Nodr" (which translates into "The Other Side") is Heathen filled Pagan Black Metal done with amazing skill and precision. Seriously, the four members of this band are masters of their respective instruments to the utmost degree. The intricate riffing on this album has to be heard to be believed! The Black Metal is raw, yet never sloppy or out of time, and the sound drifts from atmospheric Black Metal to Thrash and has an almost technical quality. Imagine the early 90's Black Metal bands fused with the majesty of Pagan Metal guitar melodies and some Thrash riffing and you'll know what to expect. This sounds like nothing too clever or unique, eh? Well, the one thing that sets "Am Nodr" apart from other similar albums is the inclusion of tribal music. There's not a ton of it on the album, but it is there and is used to an awesome effect. There's also kick ass dissonant sound effects and ritual/ambient pieces throughout the duration of the album that lean the album at times in a sort of artsy direction which keeps you constantly trying to guess what is going to happen next. I love albums like this! I love not being able to predict the next few measures of music! The bio sheet that came with this promo said this album includes authentic instruments. I have no idea what these traditional instruments may be as I can't really hear them except in a few spots, but I think I do hear a jaw harp and some sort of whistle. The band uses a drum machine which I usally despise, but they use it as good or better than any other band I've ever heard. Honestly, if I didn't have the bio sheet in front of me saying this was done with a drum machine, I'd have swore it was a real drummer. There are some tribal percussion parts on the album that could have been done with this machine as well, but I'm pretty sure these are the real thing.
The lyrics were sadly not included with the promo I got, so I can't comment on what they are all about. I did find a little synopsis that says this album is about "Pre-Pagan" times and quote: "... representing a seeker's spiritual inner journey and exploring the subjects of Shamanism, Time and Shadow". While the promo sheet says all the lyrics are in the bands' native tongue, most of the song titles seem to be in English, which doesn't make sense. It also goes on to say that the real C.D. offers English translations to the lyrics, and all this does is make me wish more that they would have included the lyrics with the promo as they seem quite interesting. The vocals are done by Krauklis and Draake, and I'm assuming one guy does the Blackened style and the other does the few Death grunts found on the album. The Blackened style is actually done pretty damn well. It's mid-ranged, not "screechy" at all and in some odd way it is actually pleasant to listen to.
The production, engineering and mixing job on the C.D. is excellent.My one small complaint is that I wish the traditional instruments were brought out a little more in the mix, but I'm sure it was a conscious effort by the band to keep them in the background.
I can't comment much about the packaging of the C.D. as the promo just came in a cardboard sleeve case, but the cover is done very well and shows a really ancient looking Shaman dressed in a burlap styled robe of some sort. There's an LP version of this album coming out in June that supposedly has totally different layout.
I bow to thee, Urskumug. Few bands have impressed me over the last year as much as you have with "Am Nodr". Those Black Metal and Pagan influenced Black Metal fans will definitely want to buy this album and listen to it many times over. As great as this album was the first time I heard it, it's only gotten better and better with each consecutive listen. Just when you think Pagan Metal can't be taken anywhere else new, albums like this come out to make you realize that as long as there are bands like Urskumug around the possibilities are virtually limitless. [9 / 10]

 

BRN, Shapeless webzine [Italy]:

Gli Usrkumug provengono dalla Lettonia e si sono formati nel 2001 come gruppo black atmosferico, anche se l'attuale moniker e stato adottato soltanto a partire dal 2002. Dopo numerosi avvicendamenti di line-up, la band ha iniziato a suonare dal vivo ed ha anche registrato qualche brano in sala prove. Nel 2003 ha partecipato alla compilation "Melnā Piektdiena 5" (edita dalla Gothic Productions) con la canzone "When Water Became Ice"; nello stesso anno ha anche registrato il primo album, "Pāreja", presso i Phoenix studio di Riga e pubblicato in versione CDr. Dopo due anni trascorsi a comporre nuovi brani e suonare dal vivo, nel 2005 il gruppo partecipa ad altre due compilation, ovvero "Wood Brother" (per la Elegy Records) e "Tonal Two" (CDr pubblicato dalla Ixtlan Industries). In breve gli Urskumug ottengono un contratto discografico con l'etichetta lituana Ledo Takas Records, per la quale e da poco uscito il nuovo album "Am Nodr", titolo che dovrebbe significare qualcosa come "l'altra parte". La versione in vinile e invece prevista per questo mese.
Accanto ai chitarristi Krauklis e Maero, presenti gia nella formazione originale, troviamo ora coinvolti anche il bassista Kriviks e il tastierista Draake, che ha rimpiazzato Slayorda, uno dei membri fondatori. Su "Am Nodr" Krauklis e Maero si sono occupati anche della programmazione della batteria elettronica, mentre gli altri due degli effetti.
Il CD contiene sette canzoni abbastanza lunghe e strutturate piu una breve intro. Il genere proposto e un black metal dalle tinte atmosferiche, rese moderne da una registrazione potente e curata, dall'utilizzo della drum machine e dagli inserimenti sporadici di alcuni effetti. Il riffing, tendenzialmente tradizionale, non nasconde alcune soluzioni personali e al passo coi tempi, che sconfinano quasi nel death.
Quando sono le testiere tappeto ad essere in primo piano, il quartetto lettone richiama senza troppi pudori gli Emperor del primo album. La voce rauca e bassa, invece, si colloca a meta tra Satyricon e, soprattutto, Kvist. Fatti questi paragoni, uno potrebbe pensare all'ennesimo gruppo che si rifa alla scena norvegese o scandinava in generale. Chiaramente ci sono dei richiami, ma questo e un fatto marginale, dal momento che lo stile degli Urskumug e ricco di sfaccettature.
Gia l'intro "2012" lascia intendere che "Am Nodr" e un album moderno: sono infatti rumori meccanici e robotici quelli posti in apertura del CD. Con "Time Of The Jackdaw" queste sensazioni trovano piena conferma. E' una vera e propria tempesta quella creata dalle chitarre e dalle ritmiche serrate della drum machine, programmata e mixata davvero bene. Si tratta di un black metal furioso, potente ed ostile, che annichilisce con passaggi resi tesissimi dalle note veloci e acute delle sei corde.
"Beowulf" e un brano dapprima assai piu atmosferico e arioso, con tanto di tastiere in evidenza, ma in seguito si trasforma in una composizione dalle tinte marziali, prima di velocizzarsi ulteriormente. Cosi come per le tracce precedenti, pure qui vengono inseriti alcuni effetti che conferiscono alla canzone un volto del tutto moderno.
Piu tradizionale sembra essere "----", perfettamente ancorata ai canoni del miglior black metal scandinavo. Nella seconda meta, pero, anche questo brano lascia trasparire alcune soluzioni personali, tra riff che ricordano gli Ephel Duath di "Opera" e incursioni tastieristiche.
L'avvio di "Talking As A Shaman's Son" e senza dubbio straniante. Le ritmiche della drum machine variano con una certa frequenza, senza mai dar tregua, mentre le chitarre passano pian piano da riff taglienti ad altri piu monolitici. C'e da segnalare uno stacco abbastanza visionario, mentre le tastiere sono utilizzate in maniera singolare.
"The Guardian" e probabilmente il brano piu veloce, intransigente e senza pieta presente nell'album. Soluzioni chitarristiche paurosamente tese lasciano spazio ad un improvviso rallentamento, nel quale compare qualche accenno alla musica tradizionale (non so se fatto con strumenti popolari o con campionamenti), ben supportati da un riffing vigoroso. Anche questa canzone si rivela piuttosto varia e ricca di spunti.
E' ora la volta della title-track, brano evocativo e misterioso. Il break centrale con tanto di percussioni, sembra trarre spunto nuovamente dalla musica tribale, tuttavia ben presto l'incedere si fa violento e granitico, a meta tra black e death, mentre il cantato si trasforma in un growl profondo.
L'album termina con "Mother Of Halfworld", altra song impostata su ritmiche sostenute e riff black/death di stampo svedese che lasciano spazio ad un rallentamento, con tanto di arpeggi e chitarra solista. Proprio su queste note sfumate si conclude l'ascolto.
La registrazione, avvenuta ancora una volta presso i Phoenix studio, e senza dubbio un gradino sopra la media. I suoni sono ben bilanciati, decisamente potenti ed incisivi. Pure la veste grafica sembra curata ed affascinante, ma non posso essere molto preciso a riguardo, dal momento che ho tra le mani una copia promozionale.
"Am Nodr" e dunque un album valido, le cui caratteristiche principali sono la velocita, l'impatto e la varieta di soluzioni cui il gruppo ricorre. Nessuna canzone e inferiore alle altre, dal momento che tutte regalano qualche passaggio caratterizzante davvero ben riuscito. L'abilita degli Urskumug sta proprio nel saper differenziare i loro pezzi senza snaturarli, bensi mantenendo una continuita di stile. Uno stile che, di per se, non e originalissimo, ma e reso sufficientemente vario e personale. Il risultato e un album che, seppur non perfetto e senza staccarsi troppo da quanto gia sentito altrove, merita di essere acquistato. [8 / 10]

 

Carl, Lords Of Metal webzine [Netherlands]:

'Am Nodr' is the debut full-length CD of Urskumug. This Latvian band plays pre-pagan metal, which, according to the bio, has "very little to do with what is considered a standard heathen metal band." Well, their music seems to reflect a prehistoric force, but their cyclic melody lines and rolling drums add nothing shockingly new to the pagan metal scene of these days. Now and then we are treated to some moody rhythms played on the bongo's, but most of the times it is straightforward metal we hear.
With rather dull dynamics and on the whole up-tempo rhythms, 'Am Nodr' is nothing but a decent metal CD. The drummer's blast beats are very steady and also his extraordinary stamina deserves special mention. Nice. Not thrilling, but nice. [70 / 100]

 

Carlos, Lunar Hypnosis website [USA]:

Coming from Latvia and currently being touted as the second coming of the tribal black metal assault from that region, "Urskumug" presents here an amazing disc of fast, unrelenting and incredibly high quality black metal with incredible atmosphere.
The term "Urskumug" represents the primordial mythago and the earliest stage of the so-called “human mould” so whatever that means and whatever that bears on the "tribal" quality of the black metal presented here, you have been warned about. All I know is that this music is incredible. This music is full of interesting twists and hooks, and always keeps you interested.
If you read the bio and notice that there are not one, but two of the members doing the drum programming, don't be alarmed thinking this is going to be some sort of techno black metal. This is probably some of the best drum programming I have ever heard. Had I not known this was not a real drummer, I would have never suspected that this was done with a machine. The drum sequences are incredibly real and lifelike.
Having said that about the drums, the story is far from complete. The guitar work is as impressive with the music sounding always aggressive and poignant. I want to say that at times it resembles me a bit of the better parts of Bal sagoth minus all the fanfare they add to their music, so this has to be good news.
As far as the structure, the songs are not really your typical black metal in that they do not sound harsh, underproduced and with more or less the same tone and the same musical tempo on each track. The music is sometimes leaning heavily on death metal rather than black metal and it almost can be considered technical. As well, the vocals are not your typical high screech black metal type, and more times than not they are more typical of atmospheric death metal than black metal. Having said that though, this is still clearly black metal.
Whatever keyboards they use on this platter are not really used to create atmosphere as in haunting intros, slow and moody parts, etc. They are more used in terms of simply applying effects and a total atmosphere to the songs which I find very refreshing and at the same time very satisfying. This is clearly a music effort that does not need female vocals and it does not need "orchestrations", yet it sounds very lifelike and full of air and ambiance.
I really cannot find a fault on this recording and I am very glad it landed on my lap for review. As for its availability here in the US, I am not sure who will be distributing it, but I highly recommend it. There are no lyrics that came with this promo, so I really cannot comment about the content of the songs and their relativity to the paganism or lack there of, but nevertheless, this is an incredibly good album. Katatonic, explosive and combustive black metal is what this band brings to the table and this is just fine with me. I would really love to hear their self released first CD. [10 / 10]

 

Chris, Ad Noctum website [Germany]:

Urskumug kommen aus Lettland und spielen ziemlich stürmischen Black Metal. Aber damit hat es sich dann auch schon, denn obwohl das Album jetzt gar nicht mal schlecht ist, hat man sich an solchen Kompositionen mittlerweile satt gehört. Urskumug operieren zumeist im schnellen Tempo, die Drums poltern schön vor sich hin und bieten viel Freiraum für primitives Riffing. Wäre der Sound auf diesem Album nicht so gut, würden die Songs wahrscheinlich völlig in der Bedeutungslosigkeit untergehen, so bleibt zumindest ein gewisses Flair aufrecht stehen. Dennoch wird der anspruchsvolle Black Metal Fan hier nichts Neues mehr finden und es fragt sich, ob ein Kauf dieser Scheibe gerechtfertigt ist. Ich denke, dass muss jeder für sich entscheiden, aber man verpasst hier wirklich nicht viel - Urskumug ist Standard-Black Metal und nicht mehr.

 

DarkCruz, Ars Metallia website [Belgium]:

Urskumug (a vos souhaits!) est un groupe de black metal qui nous vient de Lituanie, ce qui nous change plus que surement de nos fournisseurs habituels de blasphemes que sont les norvégiens et les francais. «Am Nodr» est le second album de ce groupe qui n'est surement pas tres connu dans nos régions. Il faut avouer que c'est pas non plus avec ce «Am Nodr» qu'ils se feront remarquer! Cet album contient 8 morceaux d'un black metal de bonne facture mais tres classique et manquant de points d'accroches. Néamoins, le groupe a utilisé des sons un peu plus originaux que la plupart des groupes du style pour aggrémenter sa musique: sons indus ou tribaux. C'est dommage que ces sons ne sont pas tres bien intégrés, le groupe n'ayant pas, hélas, pousser l'idée assez loin. Au final, je dirais que cet album aura peu de chances de sortir du lot mais peut-etre que dans le futur, le groupe arrivera mieux a intégrer le coté indus et/ou tribal, ce qui lui permettra de se faire plus remarquer. [3 / 5]

 

Deimon, Stormbringer heavy zine [Austria]:

Bands aus dem Baltikum sind mir persönlich eher wenige bekannt, abgesehen von SKYFORGER spielen diese eher eine untergeordnete Rolle in der Black Metal Szene – zumindest bis jetzt, denn das kleine, aber feine Label Ledo Takas aus Litauen hat sich zur Aufgabe gemacht, herausragende Gruppierungen aus eben jenem Teil der Erde einer breiteren Masse zugänglich zu machen. Neben OBTEST und der Split-CD mit LUCTUS und ARGHARUS (Reviews an anderer Stelle) liegt mir mit „Am Nodr“ (übersetzt „Die andere Seite“) eine weitere überdurchschnittliche Scheibe vor, die es mehr als verdient, gehört zu werden.
Laut Labelinfo spielen URSKUMUG „Tribal Black Metal“, was ich zu 100 Prozent unterschreiben kann, verbindet die Band doch gekonnt harschen Schwarzmetall mit Soundcollagen und einigen ausgefallenen Instrumenten aus dem Baltikum. Weiters wird der elektronische Knüppler über die gesamte Albumdistanz ordentlich in die Mangel genommen, was aber nicht weiter stört, da er wirklich sehr gut programmiert wurde. Auch an der übrigen Instrumentalfront gibt’s nichts auszusetzen, hier sind wahre Könner am Werk. Der Sound ist mächtig druckvoll und klar und die Verpackung sehr stimmungsvoll – Respekt, meine Herren!
Was erwartet nun den Hörer? Los geht’s mit einem kurzen Industrial-Intro, ehe man bei „Time Of The Jackdaw“ anfänglich gemäßigt loslegt, nur um dann in einen wahren Geschwindigkeitsrausch zu verfallen – Blastbeats, Thrash- und Industrialparts und ruhige Synthi-Klänge geben sich die klinke in die Hand. Der Opener stellt gleich die ideale Blaupause zu den übrigen Tracks dar, immer wieder wird gekonnt gebreakt, gemetzelt und gethrasht, das es eine wahre Freude ist! Im Titelsong gibt’s dann gar die Tribal Drum Einlage.
Auch das Textkonzept scheint interessant zu sein, geht es doch um eine innere geistige Reise, um Schamanismus, Zeit und dunkle Dinge zu erforschen, also nicht der übliche Satanskram – manchmal sogar in der originalen Sprache der Band.
Wer also die Schnauze voll hat vom üblichen Schwarzwurzel-Einheitsbrei sollte sich mit dieser (und den anderen Veröffentlichungen von Ledo Takas) Scheibe mal näher beschäftigen! [4 / 5]

 

Demimortus, Allmetal website [Czechia]:

Lotyše URSKUMUG jsem prvne zaregistroval v Brne, na jejich společnem koncerte, po boku taktež propiranych LOITS. Akce to byla dosti zajimava a zabavna, at už hudebne, či co se show jednotlivych kapel tykalo. URSKUMUG tehdy šokovali všechny pritomne svou špinavou image. Vtrhli na podium odeni v platenych habitech s kapucemi, z nichž koukaly jen ušpinene tvare muzikantu. Krky a pasy ovešene kostmi, bose nohy a nekompromisni black metalova smršt. Pritel Torpik se posleze vrhnul na jejich palene demo CDR, leč po letmem poslechu v discmanu nakupu horce zalitoval, nebot zjistil, že na demu hraji klavesy dominantnejši ulohu, než tomu bylo pri žive prezentaci a to je pro nej neprekousnutelny orišek:). Zželelo se mi ho a pač demo neznelo zase tak zle, vzal jsem si ho ja. A nezalitoval jsem, protože i pres svou jednoduchost ma jiste osobite kouzlo a libi se mi.
Ubehlo par let a mam tu pred sebou debutni velke samostatne album URSKUMUG. Po prvnim letmem poslechu jsem zaregistroval hned nekolik zmen a tim prvnim je pochopitelne dosti lepši zvuk a hlavne take vyšši muzikantska a hlavne kompozični vyzralost sberatelu kosti. Zpočatku mi to prišlo malinko lito. Onen stary, naivni a jednoduchy sound kapely se mi zamlouval zčasti i svymi nedostatky. Ale postupne jsem albu „Am Nodr“ prišel na chut. Kapuce a umolousane tvare zustaly, to je patrne už z obalu. Zda se však, že diky intru s vymluvnym nazvem „ 2012“ a industrialnim znenim se dostavame spiš nekam do budoucnosti, než nekde do potemnelych lesnich blat. Nasleduji mrazive až psychoticke melodie ve strednich tempech a po chvili napinani se preci jen rozjede naplno fujavice, ve kterou se dalo doufat. Klavesy maji stale podobne jednoduše magicke zneni, ale jsou šikovneji včleneny a zatlačeny do pozadi, jen k dobarvovani atmosfery. URSKUMUG se neomezuji jen a pouze na black metal a misty zasahnou i do deathovych temat, leč vše je odeno stale v tom jejich rubaši, ktery je v ramci možnosti docela osobity a dovoluje i v tech nejvyššich rychlostech tlačit pod naporem silne motivy a melodie. Stale nikterak zvlašt složite, ale nekdy o to silnejši. Občas se vrati i nejaky ten elektronicky zvuk, ale to velmi sporadicky. Znatelny posun je hlavne v členitosti kompozic a v agresivite hudby, ktera je podstatne zurivejši a ničivejši, než driv. Krom intra tvori „Am Nodr“ pouze sedmero skladeb, ktere jsou však natolik propracovane a obsahle, že by mel byt milovnik černot spokojeny. Devizou URSKUMUG je osobitost. Nejsou tisici kopii a „dalši“ black metalovou kapelou. Snaži se do tradičnich postupu zabudovat sebe same a to se jim vyplaci. A ostatne i nam:).
Nakonec se prenesete i na onen dalny vychod, kde ješte lide chodi v kožešinach a kolem krku nosi medailony z kosti. Do krasne a divoke krajiny, ktera pusobi stejne jako i tvorba URSKUMUG.  V Rize se zrodilo silne dilko, ktere si zaslouži byt slyšeno... [4,9 / 6]

 

Diovis, Mroczna Strefa website [Poland]:

A to ci niespodzianka! No bo kto do tej pory slyszal o takim dziwactwie jak URSKUMUG? Lapki w gore! Cosik milczycie, wiec czym predzej z pewna taka ekscytacja przejde do meritum sprawy, czyli opisu drugiego wydawnictwa tej pochodzacej z Lotwy hordy. Pierwsza byl CDR "Pareja" wydany wlasnym sumptem przez muzykow, wiec sila rzeczy tylko nieliczni mieli szanse to poznac. Wraz z dolaczeniem do skromnej, ale zzytej z soba familii kapel zwiazanych z litewska Ledo Takas Records szansa na zapoznanie sie z ich tworczoscia z pewnoscia wzrosnie. A przynajmniej powinna, bo na jalowej, choc produkujacej setki bylejakich kapel blackmetalowej scenie narodzilo sie zjawisko nadzwyczaj oryginalne, a przy tym nie bawiace sie w kompromisy. Paradoksalnie, pomimo, ze Lotysze nie ida tropem takiej czy innej norweskiej grupy zespolow (czytaj: np. DARKTHRONE czy GORGOROTH), ich pokrecona, cholernie mroczna i nacechowana innowatorstwem muza powinna trafic nawet do najbardziej zatwardzialych zwolennikow surowego black'u, ale tez do poszukiwaczy rzeczy nowatorskich w muzycznej ekstremie. Wszystko to dzieki temu, ze nawet jesli inkorporuja do swoich dzwiekow dziwne sample, przeskakuja z jednego bieguna tego gatunku w inny (czytaj: gwaltowne wolty od MAYHEM do ABORYM), to "Am Nodr" jest diabelnie bezkompromisowa plyta, ktora mnie osobiscie wbija w ziemie jak przykladowo split LEVIATHAN/SAPTHURAN. Jakichkolwiek przymiotnikow tu uzywac (psychodeliczna, chora, plemienna, odrazajaca), ta muza oddaje ducha prawdziwego do szpiku kosci black metalu. A pomimo tego jest w niej tyle roznych nieoczekiwanych pomyslow, ktore moglyby wypelnic wiele, naprawde innych krazkow i podczas, gdy niektore z nich ma sie ochote wylaczyc juz podczas drugiego utworu, ten album ma sie ochote przesluchiwac wiele razy i za kazdym razem odnajduje sie cos nowego. Jesli ktos twierdzi, ze na gitarach odegralo sie juz wszystko, co mozliwe, grubo sie myli. Krauklis i Maero musieli chyba zakatowac swoje instrumenty podczas nagrywania tych siedmiu utworow (nie liczac eksperymentalnego intro), bo to, co z nimi wyczyniaja takie wlasnie sprawia wrazenie. Uzyskali przy tym niesamowite rezultaty, ktore w polaczeniu z odpowiednio dawkowanymi klawiszami, chorymi wokalami i klimatem calosci po prostu urywaja glowe, jaja i pozbawiaja mozliwosci uzyskania rownowagi, gdy juz wycichna ostatnie tony "Mother of Halfworld". Inaczej tego nie potrafie okreslic, bo najzwyczajniej w swiecie ciesze sie, ze sa jeszcze muzycy z taka wyobraznia, ktora w dodatku potrafia odpowiednio wykorzystac i przelac to w dziwaczne, fascynujace i wizjonerskie dzwieki jakby nie z tej planety, a to juz sztuka nie lada. Poszukajcie "Am Nodr" z logo URSKUMUG, a nie pozalujecie! PS. Okladka, mimo prostoty, jest porazajaca i przerazajaca. [9 / 10]

 

Dirk, Iron Pages website [Germany]:

Da liegt man dann bei URSKUMUG und deren CD »Am Nodr« besser. High Speed Black Metal mit einigen Tribal-Einflüssen entschwirrt dem Silberling. Ziemlich authentisch, teilweise mit old school Touch. Einige nette Ideen sind zu finden und lassen somit das Speedgeschmettere auch interessant erscheinen. Die Abnutzungserscheinungen sind minimal und die CD macht weitestgehend immer Freude. Für den internationalen Einstand der Band also ein guter Anfang.

 

Divine, Dagheisha website [Italy]:

Difficile giudicare questo disco visto che per poco piu di quaranta minuti si viene assaliti da un black metal confuso che invece di irrigidirsi sui comuni standard tenta di ammorbare l'ascoltatore con influenze definite 'tribali' che lasciano davvero il tempo che trovano. In piu il drum programming e lasciato andare senza alcun senso fino a divenire fastidioso. Sara la troppa carne al fuoco a rendere deficitario questa sorta di debutto per i lettoni Urksumug, che nel nel 2003 avevano pubblicato l'autoprodotto 'Pāreja' per poi trovare rifugio in casa Ledo Takas, ma mi auguro sinceramente che in futuro i risultati saranno diversi. Per il momento bocciatura totale.

 

ein Windir, Schwermetall website [Switzerland]:

"Am Nodr" heisst die zweite Veröffentlichung der lettischen "Tribal Black Metaller" von Urskumug. Mit den ebenfalls aus dem Baltikum stammenden Skyforger kann man diese Truppe jedoch nicht vergleichen - weder auf qualitativer noch auf musikalischer Ebene. Das Cover lässt einen zwar sofort an eine weitere, von heidnischen Klängen dominierte Platte denken, sieht man sich jedoch die beiden Liedtitel "~~~~" und "2012" an, werden diese Vermutungen postwendend zerstreut. Auf Grund des nach Industrial in Reinkultur klingenden Einklangs "2012" werden schon anfangs schlimme Vorahnungen geweckt. Wird sich hier an einem weiteren, neuem bekloppten Stil versucht? Futuristic - Cyberage - Pagan Metal? Dark - Wave - Nu - Black Metalcore? So schlimm ist es zum Glück nicht, aber überzeugen kann dieser Silberling trotzdem nicht.
Was gleich zu Beginn auffällt ist die produktionsbedingte Hervorhebung der relativ tiefen Stimme des Sängers. Etwas Besonderes ist sie zwar nicht, aber es wurde erfolgreich versucht, die Texte mit Betonungen und Variationen vom Blatt auf das Album zu befördern. Was die Saitenfraktion angeht: Hier gibt es mittel bis schnell gespielte Riffs, die zwar leicht zugänglich sind, aber leider nicht überraschen oder (bis auf ein paar Ausnahmen) gar mitreissen können. Oft wird auch nur ein einziger Akkord oder Bund gegriffen und dann rauf und runter gespielt, was der ansonsten wirklich dynamisch wirkenden Musik etwas an Vitalität raubt. In Anbetracht der hohen Anzahl an Musikern, denen man auf Grund mangelnder Motivation oder Unfähigkeit verbieten sollte einen Drumcomputer zu nutzen, muss man diese Band wirklich loben. Das Schlagzeug wird hier so eingesetzt, dass die restlichen Instrumente nicht eingeengt werden. Im Gegenteil, die treibende, wenn auch einfache Rhythmik des Schlagzeugs verleiht der ansonsten etwas kraftlosen Musik mehr Schlagkraft.
Um auf die eingangs erwähnte Befürchtung zurück zu kommen: So ganz konservativ ist diese Platte gewiss nicht. Dafür sind im besonderen zwei Faktoren verantwortlich. Eigentlich gibt es nichts gegen eine gute Produktion einzuwenden, wenn die Musik in ihrem eigentlichen Wesen dadurch nicht gestört wird - dummerweise wird sie dies hier. Ein wenig mehr Rohheit, Ecken und Kanten würden "Am Nodr" meiner Meinung nach gut stehen und die Atmosphäre würde nicht gleich im Keim erstickt werden. Der zweite Punkt ist der überflüssige Einsatz von elektronischen Klängen. Beispielsweise bei dem Stück "Talking As A Shaman's Son" dudelt im Hintergrund ein Keyboard mit, welches mich in 16-Bit Zeiten mit Super Mario und Donkey Kong zurückversetzt hat. Genau so etwas hat dem Pagan/Black Metal Gerne noch zur Perfektion gefehlt, nicht?
Eigentlich kann man die Scheibe – zumindest nebenbei – ganz gut anhören, problematisch wird es erst, wenn man etwas genauer hinhört. Dann klingt diese Veröffentlichung stellenweise zu sehr nach "Tralala-Pagan/Black Metal", wie es ein Bekannter treffend umschrieben hat. [6 / 13]

 

Eirik Jacobsen, Imhotep website [Norway]:

Urskumug is certainly an interesting listening.
The Latvians have captured the monotony of Darkthrone and mixed it with the pompous productions of Dimmu Borgir. Imagine “A Blaze In The Northern Sky” and “Transilvanian Hunger” having the sound quality of “Enthrone Darkness Triumphant”- then you're one step closer to “Am Nodr”!
Further more mix Fenriz's drumming with the tribal maestro from Brazil. Just check out “2012” and the title track “Am Nodr” and you'll find traces of Igor Cavalera's creativity. The former track also reminds me of Sepultura by its simplistic Andreas Kisser sound-alike guitar solos.
Vocally Urskumug is fairly close to Nocturno Culto just with a Latvian accent occasionally visiting the infamous death metal cellar. By adding harps, synthetics and samples you've entered the underworld of Urskumug.
Conclusion: The Baltic newcomers are certainly influenced by the Nordic BM scene but without being East European pirates. Enjoy the black pearl from Vilnius! [8 / 10]

 

Elimar Oliveira, Thundergod website [Brazil]:

Eis o album de estreia da horda Pagan Black Metal lituana Urskumug, que baseia suas letras em temas morbidos voltados ao paganismo, com a sonoridade galgada no Black Metal rapido, pesado e cadenciado, com uma certa tecnica. O album e iniciado por uma breve intro intitulada “2012” e seguida por “Time of the Jackdaw” uma das faixas de destaque do album, na sequencia “Beowulf” a que melhor resume a proposta musical dos lituanos e porque nao dizer que e tambem a melhor faixa do play? Mas os petardos fudidos nao param por ai, a quarta faixa que nao tem titulo tambem e muito foda! Completam o play “Talking as a Shaman's Son”, “The Guardian”, “Am Nodr” e “Mother of Halfworld”.

Eller, Amboss webmagazine [Germany]:

Das Label aus Litauen hat mit URSKUMUG seine erste lettische Verpflichtung getätigt, deren Debütalbum "Am Nodr" uns schnellen, abwechslungsreichen Black Metal beschert, der nicht ganz einfach zu konsumieren ist. Das schwarzmetallische Grundgerüst (norwegischer Art) wird durchzogen von überraschend gesetzten Breaks und zahlreichen nicht "alltäglichen" Einflüssen. Die Band nennt ihren Stil "Tribal Black Metal". Das passt zwar nicht ganz, zeigt aber, dass hier kein typisches Album entstanden ist. URSKUMUG arbeiten an ihrem eigenen Stil, scheinen dabei aber zwischenzeitlich etwas konfus. Nicht jedermanns Sache, wenn z.B. eine wild gespielte Maultrommel einen Song durchquert, ohne dass man jetzt weiß, wozu das eigentlich gut war. Und so wirkt das Album auf mich ein wenig zu Durcheinander, was für andere Hörer durchaus eine Herausforderung sein wird. Atmosphärisch ist auf jeden Fall alles im grünen Bereich und Black Metal Hörer mit Faible für den baltischen Raum werden hier sicher mal reinhören.

 

Eric, Franang magazine [France]:

The info sheet advises Urskumug as playing tribal B.M as the band concept goes back far deeper in time, where "pagan" turns into 'pre-pagan". Now, when it comes to the music, Urskumug are into Nordic B.M, sometime reminding me some of Helheim's ideas melted with Enslaved song structures but with some very Eastern way of sounding. The production is rather thin, even though really sounds Eastern a bit like Skyforger. Most of the tunes are full speed tempo such as 4th songs applying the violent ideas from tradition B.M. Actually even thought the band comes with an original concept, there's nothing that much news or thrilling in this release.

 

Erik, BloodDawn website [Germany]:

Wie lange muss man eigentlich warten, bis der Funke endlich überspringt? Ich warte jedenfalls schon ziemlich lange, aber so richtig kann ich mit "Am Nodr" einfach nicht warm werden. Und da ich mir wirklich alle Mühe gegeben habe, muss ich wohl oder übel zu dem Schluss kommen, dass das an Urskumug liegt.
Denn was uns Ledo Takas als "Tribal Black Metal" verkaufen will, ist lange nicht so interessant, wie das neugeschaffene Sub-Subgenre suggeriert. Vielmehr ist die von Urskumug fabrizierte Mischung aus vorwiegend schnellem Black und Death Metal mit ein paar klitzekleinen "Folk"-Einsprengseln weder originell genug, um eine neue Bezeichnung zu benötigen, noch ist das Material unterm Strich sonderlich aufregend. Schon die Produktion ist mir angesichts der stilistischen Ausrichtung zu klinisch und leblos ausgefallen, vor allem das arg nach Plaste klingende Schlagzeug fällt hierbei negativ auf.
Doch auch kompositorisch ist "Am Nodr" nur stellenweise gelungen, nämlich in den Abschnitten, die im Stil von etwa "Latvian Riflemen" von einer flotten Double-Bass-Einheit vorangetrieben werden. Dann gibt's sogar ein paar schöne, subtile Melodien zu geniessen. Ansonsten glänzen diese genauso wie gefällige Riffs durch Abwesenheit. Stattdessen gibt's stumpfes Geblaste mit noch stumpferem Gesäge und Geschrubbe, und das ist sowohl als Todesblei als auch im Schwarzmetallgewand wenig spannend. Atmosphäre will jedenfalls keine aufkommen, da helfen auch die Spielereien nicht, die dem Ganzen zum "Tribal"-Stempel verhelfen sollen. Zwar klingen diese gar nicht so übel, stehen aber inmitten der sonst vorherrschenden Belanglosigkeit auf verlorenem Posten. [2,5 / 5]

 

Erik Thomas, Metal Review website [USA]:

I generally enjoy all of Ledo Takas Records' releases, home to one of my favorite pagan bands Obtest, as their quality over quantity mantra holds true for their albums. However, after giving Latvia's self described ‘tribal black metal' band Urskumug considerable time to sink in, I came to the conclusion that Urskumug is Ledo's weakest release in quite some time.
Am Nodr, isn't a bad record per say, it's just a rather generic pagan black metal record that injects some really awkward tribal, programmed electronic injections, and it just does not work. Things go pear shaped right away for industrial opener “2012" and in the middle of the promisingly blazing “Time of The Jackdaw” where some solid Norwegian black metal is rudely littered with piercing droning. Just from looking at the cover and title like “Beowolf”, “The Guardian”, “Mother of Halfworld”, you'd think Urskumug would parley their black vision into epic, pagan drenched ferocity, but instead, the band's confused semi industrial tones clash awkwardly with more traditional black heathenry. I'm fine with black metal and industrial metal mixing, but pagan black metal and industrial/electronics don't seem suited as genre bed mates.
After the overly long “Time of the Jackdaw”, “Beowolf” has a more Eastern European black metal, traditional sound for its entirety, while the annoying staccato screech and robotic discordance of the unnamed fourth track wipes away anything I enjoyed in “Beowolf”. “Talking As a Shaman's Son” has a bit of a death metal lean, but again random stuff; (5:10) for no reason, derails the track for no reason. On the opposite end of the spectrum, “Guardian” with its wise old man talking intro, is pure pagan black metal. For a band describing themself as ‘tribal' black metal, it's sort of odd that the only tribal element is a brief section of the death metal vocalized title track.
Urskumug are a confused band, not sure what style they are playing - the thing is it sounds like they have the chops to play decent, scathing paganized black metal as “Mother of Halfworld” displays, but the band's annoying electric/programmed tinkering needs to either go or be fulled embraced as a complete cyber-black metal band, as this whole Vikings with lasers things isn't quite doing it for me. [production 4,0 / 6, songwriting 3,5 / 6, musicianship 4,0 / 6]

 

Erilar, Feindesland website [Germany]:

Eine musikalische Spurensuche.
Ganz interessant, was uns das (noch) kleine Label Ledotakas aus Estland in letzter Zeit so präsentiert hat. Mit Ausnahme von Skyforger ist das Baltikum z.Zt. doch noch eher Metal- Neuland, was bei diesen kleinen Ländern, die nach Jahrelanger sowjetischer Oberherrschaft nun langsam wieder versuchen ihre eigene kulturelle Identität wiederzugewinnen, auch gar kein Wunder ist. Das Schöne bei baltischen Bands, wie ich es bisher beobachten konnte, ist, daß sie sich dabei zwar ganz klar an westliche Vorbilder anlehnen, aber auch immer einen eigenständigen Sound erschaffen.
Ähnliches gilt natürlich auch in diesem Fall. Grundlage der Musik ist schneller Black/Death Metal, der ab und zu durch elektronische Effekte aufgelockert wird und dadurch auch den Charme des besonderen erhält. Das heißt aber nicht, daß hier ein Keyboard zentraler Bestandteil wäre... ich würde eher von "Soundtechnischen Gimmicks" sprechen.
Die Riffs sind ordentlich komponiert und zünden/knallen auch. Doch trotz des eigenständigen Sounds, den ich der Band schon zusprechen möchte, fehlt das wirklich Besondere. Intensive Momente kommen zwar vor, sind aber noch zu selten um die Platte wirklich aus dem Mittelmaß zu heben.
Textlich begibt man sich auf eine Spurensuche- und zwar weit zurück in der Zeit, wo aus dem Proto-"heidnischen" Glauben erst noch eine "heidnische" Religion werden musste. Ein Textblatt liegt mir nicht vor, so kann ich nur vermuten, daß man versucht sich an Schamanische/animistische Denkweisen anzunähern.
Die Musik spiegelt das aber kaum bis gar nicht wieder. So sucht man die üblichen Pagan Metal- Stilistiken vergeblich- da ist nur ein kurzes, archaisch anmutendes Intro und ein kleiner Maultrommeleinsatz bei Stück Nr. 6 ("The guardian") und ein kurzer Schamanentrommel-Part in Stück Nr. 7 ("Am Nodr"). Nein, hier gibt es fast nur Metal. Schade eigentlich, über ein paar Versuche WIRKLICH archaische Musik zu rekonstruieren hätte ich mich gefreut.
So bleibt am Ende trotz des interessanten Textkonzeptes, des guten Artworks und der baltischen Eigenständigkeit doch nur der Nachgeschmack von Mittelmaß.
Fazit: Kann man haben, muß man aber nicht. Einfach 'reinhören. Für eine Kaufempfehlung fehlt das Überdurchschnittliche Element, für einen Verriss ist die Platte zu gut... tja... [innovation: 10 / 15, gesamt: 8 / 15]

 

Even, The Streets webzine [Norway]:

Urskumug is a Latvian band and that is about all I know about these guys. Their music can simplified be described as a mixture of black metal and pagan metal, emphasizing on the first category. The songs are characterized by a cold and brutal, but yet evocative atmosphere. The same riffs tend to appear over and over again which makes the whole thing a bit monotonous and boring in the long run. I also suspect the drums to be programmed, but in this case the programmer has done a solid job so it actually sound quite good. The album has a few interesting songs but still the feeling monotony is creeping in over me all the time when listening to Am nodr. An average album that will probably appeal stronger to die hard fans of old school black meal and pagan metal than it did to me. [6 / 10]

 

Fabien, Metal Invasion radio show [France]:

URSKUMUG is a total discovery for us. What a discovery!!!! first, the band has got a killer sound, the production is clear and powerful. Of course we can feel the true spirit of old school black metal in it ! the arrangements are pretty good because the atmosphere is very unique and totally original. the riffs are very personal and I like their way to construct their songs! It's dark, pagan and epic! the artwork is very perfect for the concept. the result after 2 first listenings is EXCELLENT! once again i'm very surprised of the high quality and professional work for LEDO TAKAS and URSKUMUG.

 

Fernando Reis, Loud magazine [Portugal]:

Existe algo nos paises balticos que faz as suas bandas de black metal trocarem frequentamente um estilo mais "folk" por outro mais "ritualistico". Os exemplos maiores podem ser encontrados em bandas como Skyforger ou Negura Bunget, mas existem uma serie de outros grupos a praticar boas variantes do genero, a espera de serem exportados. Um desses grupos sao precisamente os Urskumug, jovem banda da Letonia que tem aqui o seu segundo lancamento. E notorio que o black metal rapido e brutal esta na base das influencias musicais do quarteto, mas o modo como os musicos atravessam influencias ritualisticas e quase hipnoticas no estilo principal que praticam faz com que a sua sonoridade ganhe uma terceira dimensao que, de outro modo, estaria ausente. Os Urskumug debatem-se ainda com algumas dificuldades do foro tecnico, que os faz ter uma bateria programada neste disco em vez de um baterista a serio, bem como apenas alguns dos instrumentos acusticos utilizados para fazer multiplicar o ambiente negro e magico dos temas, sendo que os outros sons nao passam de samples gravados. Ainda assim, e tendo e conta a paleta algo reduzida de recursos com que conta, a banda consegue transformar "Am Nodr" num trabalho muito interessante de black metal ritualista rapido, cruzando referencias - directas e indirectas - de uns Nokturnal Mortum, Negura Bunget, Skyforger e Heresiarh numa sonoridade que queima, induz ao hipnotismo e, ao mesmo tempo, pode provocar violentos headbangings. E certo que a componente "nao-metal" da musica de Urskumug e ainda algo modesta e insipida, reduzida a cinco ou seis apontamentos - quase todos brilhantes - mas chega para transformar esta seleccao em algo de original e, sobretudo, fora da rota "comercial" de metal que todas as bandas europeias parecem querer seguir cegamente. Uma banda-sonora para as escuras notices balticas, que pode fazer a delicia de quem gosta de musica intensa e, ao mesmo tempo, misteriosa. [7 / 10]

 

Fjordi, Tartarean Desire website [Sweden]:

Urskumug is a prominent band in the Latvian extreme landscape whose name had arrived to my ears some time ago. Now I've got the chance to check out what these guys are offering. The first thing to strike me is the absolute lack of similarities with Skyforger, the most known band from that country. In spite of imitating the homeland warriors, Urskumug is a sonic maelstrom which leaves the listener literally exhausted due to their fierce and restless black metal. Usually I say the typical “reference bands” and this time is no exception: Enslaved is the one which reminded me the most while listening to “Am Nodr”. The vocals shift between blacky shrieks and cookie monster-like a la death metal, the guitars follow the classic patterns set by Norse classic bands, namely cold melodies with long notes, steady paces and solid harmonies and the rhythm section is pounding like hell, despite Urskumug employ programmed drums. That's something I overtly dislike, in my opinion percussives must be played by hands and feet in order to convey the right feeling of anger, wrath and feeling to the music. Nevertheless, this drum machine sounds far better than other clinical batteries hanging around these days. If we pay attention to some human drums recorded in some studios –e.g. Abyss- the effect isn't certainly better... Some occasional effects under the shape of samples and synths are added to the sound from time to time without altering the basic black metal sound which stands rich and thick, helped by a clean sound and consistent compositions. Another good surprise from Baltic countries! [7 / 10]

 

Florian Rachieru, Florian Promotion website [Romania]:

Your ears better check this out! Straight from Latvia, the "human mould" impressed with their tribal black metal that scratches the surface more than incredible, an extra fine band that keeps your tasty dark feeling alive. The structures of the songs are well composed, but the drummachine is used here. Quite inventive! It's not a standard black metal album. Feel it with your own heart. It's a very good release, even the first impression was bad because of the name of the band that doesn't inspires me!

 

Froster, Froster webzine [Ukraine]:

Usually Latvian bands have been pleasing me very much. Amost always it was personal, original and interesting. Unfortunately, Urskumug, that was established in 2001, and have already realised until this Pareia album on their own in 2003, is not. Meanwhile they have just signed a contract with Ledo Takas for release of Am Nord, which has disappointed me. They perform too much cliche and trendy black metal, I have already heard all of this for 125 times in the end of 90-ies. Neither thought nor wish – they are playing like robots. Of course, everything is very ideological and true, but music is especially standard and dry. For diehard blackers only. [5 / 10]

 

George Grant, Ultimate Metal website [England]:

Forgive my ignorance, but an electronic buzzing alarm is hardly something I would expect to hear on a self-described “tribal black metal” album. Luckily for Latvia’s Urskumug, such mislabeling can ignored when the music really begins. What we have here is a very modern sounding black metal record, akin to Emperor’s IX Equilibrium album with a strong synthesis and blurring of the lines between black metal and death metal. The black metal influences take shape for the more vast and sweeping sections backed by a slight choral presence in the track '~~~~' (that’s actually the title), as well as the more death metal approach of the varied rhythmic interplay between guitar and drums as heard on the closing 'Mother of Halfworld.'
Obviously such variation in styles makes Am Nodr an excited listen, however, the band doesn’t stop there. Added to the mix are some unique melodies that can only be attributed to their Latvian origin. Don’t mistake this as a simple folk-like guitar part laid on top of the music. Urskumug actually takes the time to fit the melodies into the song and bind them to the theme, and such efforts pay off in the end.
Am Nodr isn’t a landmark album, but rather a very interesting listen. Urskumug has all the elements to make a masterpiece but they just haven’t reached that point, but if they continue down the path they have forged they could very well. This album is certainly worth a closer inspection.

 

Giorgio Fogliata, Silent Scream website [Italy]:

Quite an interesting project that comes from the baltic republics, this of Urskumug is a dedicated band to a raw inhuman black metal, tied a lot to the old traditions of the genre but also to the modern evolutions of it, and then to sampled sounds, enriched with a powerful electronic stratum that makes its fruition rather complex by the purists of the matter. Aborym is the first name popping up to mind listening to “Am Nodr”, but also realities like Anaal Nathrakh and Axis Of Perdition, for a gloomy mechanized sound that finds cracks in the obsessive repetition of the structure and in the continuous offering of alienating scores. The primal black metal remains well rooted in there, in the use of vocals and in the riffs too, but it’s the atmosphere to have changed, becoming even harder and more hostile, made dramatically heavy by the drum machine and by the large tempos that contrast with the furious riffing and the rhythmical itself, that always reaches some headache levels. The result is a violent album, directly beared by the dark Stygian waters and that takes us to pre-historical origins of the matter, so much that they like calling their music as “tribal black metal”, and for once we can totally agree with them. It’s not a simple work, but surely represents a huge proof for a band that has a lot to say. [7,5 / 10]

 

Goran, Fishcom Collective website [Belgium]:

Latvian formation Urskumug plays, due to their unique conceptual approach, something called 'pre-pagan tribal black metal'. Indeed the band succeeds in setting out a harsh and raw musical landscape, which is more than once veiled in a primitive atmosphere. The compositions know how to impress, the production delivers a powerful sound, and the instruments are tight and fast (even the drumcomputer is very, very well programmed, no remarks here whatsoever). Sporadically, the riffs tend to become a tad too repetitive, but that's the nature of black metal (which Urskumug basically still plays). I don't know an awful lot of bands from Eastern Europe, but getting to know this one already made me a lucky man. Definitely worth your time!

 

Gustavo C, Estigia webzine [Argentina]:

En los ultimos anos Lituania se esta transformando en un verdadero semillero en lo que a bandas extremas se refiere, y por suerte la calidad esta acompanando este crecimiento. Para comprobarlo no hay mas que chequear los ultimos lanzamientos de maravillas como Obtest, Skyforger, Luctus o Dissimulation; y tras la escucha de  este Am Nodr no queda otra opcion que agregar a Urskumug a esa lista.  Formados en el 2002 y con apenas un demo y un split compartido con los bielorrusos Medievil, la banda se despacho con un disco de Black metal (o mejor Tribal Black Metal, que es como ellos prefieren denominar el estilo que practican) que mezcla elementos compositivos propios del True Black noruego (sobre todo en los riffs), arreglos casi industriales absolutamente desconcertantes y percusion tribal y primitiva (de ahi el nombre del genero), realzado todo por una produccion y sonido cortesia de Gints Lundbergs (Skyforger, Dissimulation, etc.) que ya quisieran para si los grandes del genero. Conceptualmente Urskumug nos introduce con Am Nodr (que en lituano significa El otro Lado) en un viaje espiritual interior a las raices del Shamanismo y las culturas pre-paganas. Kruaklis (guitarra y voz) y Maero (guitarra) son los responsables principales de la banda, secundados en esta grabacion por Draake (teclados) y Kriviks (bajo), actualmente reemplazados por Ilse en las cuatro cuerdas y Mythago en teclas, mientras que la bateria que en el disco fue programada hoy es ocupada por Balrogh. Una obra que mezcla lo mejor del pasado y el presente del Metal Negro y aporta una cuota de originalidad en un genero que no deja de evolucionar.

 

Haavard Holm, Metal Norge website [Norway]:

Vi kan vitse om mangt fra Latvia, men de har begynt å komme seg, som jeg har nevnt før, på det musikalske plan. Mange gode band har dukket opp, og det er sjeldent det er mye direkte dårlig å melde om. Og selv med et så ukurrant navn som Urskumug, som jeg vel aldri kommer til å huske navnemessig, så er ikke bandets musikk så altfor ille.
Det vil si, det er helt grei skuring av Black Metal på det plankekjøring-nivået som de fleste band bedriver nå om dagen. Det er ikke dårlig, men det er så langt unna bra og orginalt som det kan komme. Dermed så arkiverer vi enkelt og greit denne under bare en ei plate som nok vil bli glemt av de fleste, da jeg tror at til og med de som har handlelister lengre enn et langt år av kjapp Black Metal finner denne til å være sånn akkurat midt på treet. Og det irriterer meg litt at plater er akkurat så middels som denne, det betyr at jeg sikkert har gitt den tjue runder i spilleren for mye. Snakk om å kaste tid utav vinduet! [5,5 / 10]

 

Ivan Tibos, Concrete website [Belgium]:

Urskumug is a name taken from a cycle of mytho-poetical fantasy novels, written by the UK-author Robert Holdstock. Urskumug is also the name of one of the most important bands from Latvia, maybe the best-known formation besides Skyforger and Neglected Fields. “Am Nodr” (meaning: ‘the Other Side’), the second official release (after the 2003-CD-R “Pareja”), is described as ‘Tribal Black Metal’, and I guess that’s right. The ‘tribal-ity’ means that the whole concept goes way beyond the ‘average’ Pagan-approach; this stuff is Black Metal with a shamanistic touch of natural darkness. “Am Nodr” brings rather primitive yet pretty fast and intense Black Metal, with a sound that is not that unusual in Eastern Europe (read: especially the Baltic countries). The songs are varying in both tempo (mostly fast, but ranging from doomy to blasting) and structures: epic, aggressive, undergroundish, both Nordic and Baltic, and all this comes with a heathen sound and lyrics in both English and Latvian. Line-up: Krauklis (v and g) and Maero (g), who both were in the band when it still was called Raven (2001-2002), Draake (k; ex-Heresiarh) and Kriviks (b; ex-Moonveil). Engineered by G. Lundbergs (Dissimulation, Skyforger). Total running time: 42 minutes. [83 / 100]

 

Jere Salonen, Noise website [Finland]:

Pakanahenkinen black metal – muusta kansanmusiikkivaikutteisesta hevistä puhumattakaan – on ollut nosteessa varsinkin idän suunnalta ponnistavien orkestereiden, kuten Skyforgerin, ansiosta. Samoilla linjoilla jatkaa latvialainen Urskumug, joka tosin osoittaa halua erottua massasta soittamalla pakanablackin sijaan tribaaliblackia: kyseessä on siis paluu aikaan ennen järjestäytyneitä pakanauskontoja niin musiikillisesti kuin teemallisestikin.
Heimovaikutteiden erottaminen sävellyksistä vaatii runsaasti mielikuvitusta, sillä muutamaa munniharpun päräystä ja huilun ujellusta lukuun ottamatta luvassa on varsin perinteistä riffivetoista mustametallia. Tiettyä Immortalin Battles in the Northin kaltaista askeettisuutta kappaleista voi tosin halutessaan löytää, ja kaipa musiikista huokuva aggressiivisuus jo itsessään on eräänlaista vapautumista modernin yhteiskunnan kahleista. Levyä kuunnellessa jää silti kaipaamaan teeman selkeämpää esiin tuomista.
Urskumugin idea ammoisten aikojen mielikuvien niputtamisesta yhteen primitiivisen takomisen kanssa on kieltämättä hyvä, mutta toteutus vaatii vielä hiomista. Toistaiseksi kokonaisuus kuulostaa vain kohtalaisen toimivalta black metalilta. [3 / 5]

 

Johnny Doom, Zero Tolerance magazine [England]:

Urskumug hail from Latvia and according to the press, play their own specific brand of "tribal pre-pagan black metal". On this premise, I was actually excited and interested to hear what these guys had concocted, that is until I actually heard it! Sure the production is big and the drums, although being a little clicky, sound great whipping all over your speakers. Even the guitars have a thick and resonant sound with some interesting little effects sitting nice and low in the mix. But really, my problem is judging this release in its entirety. It's a bit boring. It's a bit soulless. It is all too fast and technical. It also doesn't really do anything that you wouldn't expect it to do. Ultimately, the Urskumug are competent, they can produce some fine and quite technical black/death metal, but the problem is, so can a million bands. Also, here's a question for you all: why do ultra fast black metal bands always do a slow song at the end of the album as an outro which sounds one hundred times better than anything on the rest of the album? Grrrrr. [2 / 6]

 

K. Hutckins, Deadtide website [USA]:

Urskumug describe themselves as tribal black metal. I'm not really sure what that is supposed to mean, but this sounds like regular black metal to me. There are occasoinal outbursts of tribal drumming here, but for the most part this is solid fast-paced black metal. The drums aren't blasting the whole time a'la Marduk, but this is pretty fast stuff. There are some nice industrial touches on the record however. I am after all a sucker for industrial black. The songs for the most part, while solid are songs I've heard a million times. Immortal is the easiest comparison to make due to the vocals being very similar to those of Abbath. I honestly wish I had more to say about Urskumug but I really don't. If you're in the mood for really fast black metal then you will dig these guys. There is little in the way eerie atmosphere, just speed. The tempo varies enough that this isn't a boring record; I'm just too jaded to really go nuts for this.

 

Kim Kelly, Pivotal Alliance website [USA]:

The Baltic region is nestled between Poland, Belarus, and Russia, and lies a stone’s throw south of Finland’s southernmost shores. While Finnish metal has been all the rage for quite some time now, and Poland has become THE country of origin for brutal death metal, the Baltics’ other neighbors leave much to be desired by way of musical influence - Mother Russia seems as though she’d be less than fond of leather-jacketed longhairs with guitars and bad attitudes, and I challenge any of you to properly locate Belarus on a map. However, unfortunate geography besides, the region has slowly but surely began to make a name for itself in the international metal scene. The recent ten-year anniversary of Ledo Takas Records and success of Skyforger, Obtest, and Dissimulation (the latter two of which will be appearing at the Heathen Crusade Festival in Minnesota this year) has paved the way for a new crop of Baltic hopefuls that are trying their best to make it out of their area.
One such band, Urskumug, has just released their second full-length album on Ledo Takas, who are hyping Am Nodr as “the next Baltic entity to be reckoned with.” They fall under the self-assigned tag of “tribal black metal,” which means they basically sound like raw, thrashy BM with a few folky and atmospheric elements thrown in for flavor. Their lyrics apparently deal with the subject of Shamanism, alongside the concepts of Time and the Shadow, which automatically distances them from their more Satanic peers and sheds some light on the “tribal” association. Musically, Urskumug relies on a drum machine to keep pace and rather than being heavy-handed with the keyboards, they use them only to convey atmospheres, and by doing so, manage to nail down that elusive “cold” quality that black metal prizes so highly.  A grating electronic intro starts things off on a wrong note, then rights itself by segueing into the dark melody of  “Time of the Jackdaw,” which sets the tone for the rest of the album. Slight effects and ambient elements are added in to offset the ravishing grimness of it all, and contribute to Urskumug’s unique sound. They were unafraid to embrace melody on this album, and it’s a good thing, too; the haunting ambience adds to the music in a way that pure brutality wouldn’t have.
As grim and caustic as the vocals are, and despite the chainsaw guitar tone, Am Nodr is not a straight-up black metal records, or even a straight-up “tribal black metal” record (though for all I know, it could be; I’d never heard of that infinitely-specific subgenre before this band). Besides the aforementioned ambient bits’n’pieces, they integrate a lot of death metal into their blackened assault, mainly in the vocals and the bursts of technicality that can be found on Am Nodr. Krauklis’ vocals veer between a throat-shredding mid-level croak that’s reminiscent of Abbath at times, and beastly deeper growls that leave no room for clean singing or female vocals – added claptrap that has spoiled many a good black metal release. They do indulge in a bit of spoken-word, but it’s done in their native Latvian tongue, and, to be honest, sounds really cool. Same goes for the tribal drums and chants they employ in the background or during quiet moments; as gratuitous as such devices may seem, they really work here.  Overall, Am Nodr is an album worth owning, and Urskumug is definitely worth checking out. [4 / 5]

 

Kramthal, Friedhof webmagazine [Spain]:

Realmente original y novedoso es lo que nos ofrecen estos letones Urskumug, compatriotas de los paganos Skyforger, cuyo estilo podria bien denominarse y como ellos ya hicieron de antemano, Tribal Black Metal o Latvian Heathen Black Metal, para entendernos mejor. Sin duda estos letones se unen a esa retahila de bandas que ejecutan un Black Metal nada convencional con una interesante base de experimentacion y una musica nada ortodoxa en lo que respecta a los canones mas frecuentes de este genero. Entrando un poco en presentaciones, Urskumug ha editado hasta la fecha una demo en el 2003, titulada “Pāreja” y el trabajo que ahora toca, que por lo poco que he podido escuchar de dicha demo, supera con creces todas expectativas puestas en su dia en los letones. Entrando un poco en ambientes novelescos, Urskumug representa un ser mitologico medio-hombre, medio-oso creado por el novelista ingles Robert Holdstock en su novela “Mythago Wood”, por lo que toda la caracterizacion, musica y letras de estos letones se mueve alrededor de un mundo ficticio habitado por seres primigenios, tribus arcaicas con sus patriarcas y chamanes, ritos ancestrales y frondosos bosques flanqueados por las montanas donde moraban dichos personajes, centrando en general la lirica de su musica en una especie de pre-paganismo, todo escrito en su lengua nativa, incluyendo una traduccion en ingles.
Pero bien, entremos en materia musical que es lo que mas interesa. Partiendo del segundo corte, “Time of the Jackdaw“, empezamos a apreciar un Black Metal mistico y complejo con unos ritmos bastante variados, que en cierta manera llega a recordar al “Mardraum” de Enslaved, de hecho pienso que han sido una importante influencia, aunque mas adelante su sonido se va desmarcando de los noruegos, sonando mas acorde a su peculiar definicion tribalista. En cierta manera, tambien pueden evocarnos por su manera de ejecutar con las guitarras armonicos caoticos que van cruzandose o complementandose a los rumanos Negura Bunget o a unos menos conocidos Klabautamann, aunque salvando las notables diferencias y sin llegar a ser las melodias tan enrevesadas, simplemente recuerdan a ese tipo de personalidad musical compleja y tecnica a la par que caotica dentro del paganismo. Anadamos a esto sus peculiares riffs machacones a base de palm muting que llegan a sonar Death metaleros, todo al final aderezado por su particular atmosfera ritualistica tribal que rodea de forma inherente su musica a base de grunidos, rugidos, un esporadico birimbao, pasajes donde se oye la voz del anciano de la tribu, algun que otro sonidillo paranoico como en el comienzo del tema “Talking As A Shaman's Son” ademas como no, de las congas o timbales en el caso del curiosisimo tema “Am Nodr” que bien me ha recordado en un pasaje especifico al “Roots” de Sepultura, sin duda aqui crean una atmosfera de pelicula magistral.
Por otro lado y algo que me ha sorprendido bastante es el sonido y la ejecucion de la bateria que aunque es programada suena realista y muy variada, estando a la par con el resto de instrumentos que conforman un sonido general con fuerza y nitido que permite apreciar todos los detalles. La voz es otro aspecto notable, en especial por su variedad; por un lado tenemos el registro principal que suena rasgado pero con cierto toque a cascado, dandole un toque original entre la clasica Death y Black, sin embargo por otro lado tenemos una voz mas grave y gutural, lo que me hace pensar que dependiendo del registro nos encontramos ante un personaje u otro. Poco mas que decir (sobretodo para no liar mas la cosa), salvo que “Am Nodr” es un trabajo original y muy profesional que gustara a aquellos que disfruten de composiciones complejas y caoticas con una atmosfera pagana nada convencional. [8 / 10]

 

Lane, Archaic Metallurgy website [Finland]:

The name Urskumug reveals everything about the band; this is black metal. Even though the name's been taken from fantasy fiction novels, it's just so black metal, innit?! With 'Am Nodr', the Latvian quartet unleashes their power for larger audience for the first time (the self-released debut demo 'P?reja' came out in 2003).
The short intro '2012' consists of machine sounds, and portends some modern/futuristic black metal. This omen proves to be wrong for most of the time, though. Norwegian style old school black metal with modern implementation soundwise is what Urskumug offer, creating warped sharp soundscapes rather than play riffs. This ain't Burzum or Emperor! Electronics are in use, but usually awashed by other elements. Pace is fast or blasting for the most of time, sadly making it all quite dull. There's not much to catch during these 42 minutes, as it's just frantic mayhem (no pun intended). Okay, the band performs in frenzy, but I could use more catchiness! I mean I want to remember something about the songs when the album's over. Some compositional decision and note patterns sound funny, some burlesque. No, this ain't Arcturus either. There's some pagan elements also. I can't find the red thread in most of the songs, but Urskumug have succeeded a few times: 'Time of the Jackdaw', 'Talking as a Shaman's Son' (some Immortal influences on this one) and epic 'Am Nodr'.
The production job is very clear, airy, yet heavy. Actually fucking good, but still keeping some of the black metal spirit. Drums are programmed, but I didn't notice it, honestly. There could be human playing. The promotional copy has no lyrics (what a surprise), but some themes are said to be shamanism, time and death. The words are wheezed in the band's native language and in English. Anyways, maybe the lyrics would help me to find that red thread, who knows.
I certainly can't name any similar acts, so give this a try if you seek primitive, uneasy, vortex-like, sharp-edged black metal, which is performed with potency. Emperor maniacs especially are adviced to do so. There's potential bubbling in Urskumug, maybe loads of it, but still my heart isn't won with this. But, this neither leaves me cold, so maybe this just needs a lot of listening to get into. [5,5 / 10]

 

Larissa Glasser, Maelstrom webzine [USA]:

It’s interesting that this band’s prologue track is called "2012." Urskumug, a new rising force in the rising Baltic metal scene, pepper their pagan rites with sizable Rush influence. Assuredly, they don’t go for any of those Geddy Lee falsettos – Urskumug are deeply guttural. Their arrangements and instrumentation are very elaborate and progressive, in a Nile fashion.
However, with all of this going for it, Urskumug’s blade doesn’t break my skin. Tracks like "Time of the Jackdaw" and "The Guardian" are strong blasters, but the ambitious "Beowulf" loses me about halfway through. And that’s the one I so looking forward to hearing.
"~~~~" (that IS the title) is the best track of all, mostly due to its straightforward thrash-blast and Origin-like intensity. "Talking as a Shaman’s Son" maintains that remarkable intensity, but the title track, "Am Nodr," just bores with what seems like paint-by-numbers song structure. However, "Mother of the Halfword" closes this recording with strong, Hate Eternal-ish blasthate.
So although Urskumug don’t do it for me, people should preview their tracks on the Ledo Takas site, because Baltic Metal will not be denied. [5,5 / 10]

 

Lars Christiansen, Metal Crypt website [Canada]:

Latvian metal anyone? As great as the Baltic metal scene is as a whole, to be perfectly honest I've only really ever been aware of a single Latvian band ever (the fantastic Skyforger). In fact, I'd have bet my favorite testicle that if there were any others of worth that I've been missing all these years, you could've scribbled the whole list on the back of a postage stamp. Well, apparently I'm wrong. Latvia have a pretty strong scene going on by the looks of things, and Urskumug are here to shove that in everyone's faces with a pretty damn impressive debut release.
Getting the usual throwaway 'industrial' intro out of the way, the first true song begins with a beefed up, crushing riff (borrowing a few Voivod chords by the sound of things) that really made me sit up and take notice. Urskumug actually sound a fair bit like late Emperor at times, albeit a more anomalous and less progressive Empiric entity with really strange arrangements, shimmering arpeggios laden over tremolo picked natural harmonics (that's jangley bits over tootley bits for the non-musicians out there), and a hell of a lot of atmosphere. The production is top notch, helping the album to sound like full on battle involving legions of warriors as opposed to a drunken scuffle in a pub car park, and the musicianship is faultless throughout (again made more noticeable by the pristine studio sheen). Even with the perfect sound though, the album is still as raw as you could want, and barbaric as a barbarian covered in barbs, who works for Barbarian Wrath. Think of the new Merrimack album, and you'll have a rough idea what I'm rambling about. There's also some good use of synthesizer work throughout the more chilled sections, helping to bring the Latvian folk-vibe to the fore a lot more, which works really well when taken in context with the rest of music.
The band themselves say that they play 'Tribal Black Metal'. Well, personally I don't like that term, mainly for the fact it makes me think of Max Cavalera. No-one wants that nowadays. But rest assured, Urskumug are a breed apart from any dubious Portuguese grave translations, or flying souls for that matter (see what I did there? me clever). Go check 'em out. [4,25 / 5]

 

Le Scribe, Metalland webzine [France]:

Fidele a ses habitudes, le label Ledo Takas nous permet de decouvrir un groupe des pays Baltes, en l'occurrence URSKUMUG, de Lettonie. Et comme souvent, c'est dans un Black de tres bonne facture que ce groupe officie, puisant meme ses influences dans le Pagan. La production, carrement excellente pour un premier album et pour le style, rehausse bien la noirceur des compositions et du chant malsain delivre par Krauklis. Les morceaux sont suffisamment longs pour permettre d'instaurer de bonnes ambiances, glauques et virulentes a souhait, qui satisferont autant le fan de Black que l'amateur d'Extreme. Si vous ne connaissez pas de groupes de ce coin la, je pense qu'il est grand temps de vous lancer tant la qualite est souvent au rendez-vous, et quitte a y aller franchement, pourquoi ne pas debuter avec ce "Am Nodr" d'excellente facture?

 

Linda Ode, Rock My Monkey website [USA]:

Urskumug is, to quote, a "tribal black metal" duo from Latvia. These two, Krauklis and Maero, rely on atmosphere, fast guitars, and a programmed drum machine to bring us a sound that I really haven’t heard anything like before.
The vocals of Krauklis just kind of sear this evil feeling into your soul. It is a very gutteral growl, with some intermittent scream things thrown in for good measure. I did hear some lyrics in English. However, most of the singing is in such a growl that I didn’t really pay attention to the actual lyrics so much as to the pure evil coming from this man’s vocal chords.
It looks like they both do the programmed drumming. Most of the time it is just a barrage of fast, fast, fast. I don’t think the drum machine really takes a break. I’m not usually a fan of the drum machine sound, but the beats they use are just so difficult that I can see the necessity of such things. It would have to be a very energetic human to be able to keep up with the standard these two have set using a machine. I guess what I’m trying to say is that the beats they have programmed are pretty much too fast for any normal person to be able to do consistently, therefore giving this album a very interesting and energetic sound.
They also both play guitar and bass. I don’t know when or what songs they switch off in. These two must work really well together in that way, because I can’t tell any difference between the songs. They are all pretty much true to the sound that is established from the first seconds of this album. The guitars are really fast in riffage and chord changes. The song structures are really strong. I like the way they fit all the different pieces together. There is a great duel solo that is only about 10 seconds long in track five, “Talking as a Shaman’s Son.” The two guitars work nicely together. Usually one is just playing some background chords while the other one is going off on a super fast riff tangent. Then they even break it down a bit for us from time to time too.
There are also some atmospheric things going on in the background, but what I really like about that, is it’s not overbearing. It is just really there to enhance what is already going on with the guitars and drum machine.
In conclusion, pretty much if you like ridiculously fast riffs and drumming, with some evil gravelly vocals, you might want to give this band a try. There is something special going on here.

 

Loki, Metal Impact website [France]:

Originaires de Lettonie, les membres de URSKUMUG ont débuté leur carriere sous le patronyme de RAVEN en 2001 avant de changer de direction et de prendre un nom plus «local» et tribal en s'appelant URSKUMUG. A ses débuts, le quatuor Letton pratiquait un Black Metal atmosphérique, notamment avec l'utilisation de boites a rythmes, les batteries «classiques» ne trouvant pas grace a leurs yeux. C'est ce que l'on pouvait trouver sur leur premier album auto-produit Pareja en 2003. Celui-ci recut un tres bon accueil dans leurs terres et en fit un des groupes les plus populaires de Metal en Lettonie, bien que le Metal n'y soit pas tres représenté ou du moins populaire.
Signés chez le label Lituanien qui monte: Ledo Takas Records. Krauklis (guitares/voix), Slayorda (claviers) et leurs paires ont eu la chance de collaborer d'ores et déja avec ce label, qui peut etre a meme de booster leur carriere hors des frontieres des pays Baltes. Car, hormis la qualité de distribution, de production et de tout ce qui touche de pres ou de loin a URSKUMUG, n'oublions pas que les compositions proposées par Krauklis & ses amis Wendels a défaut d'etre originales par le contenu le sont par la forme. A la premiere écoute, on se rend compte que malgré huit titres, les compositions sont relativement longues et chargées (quarante minutes de Black Paien dans les oreilles!) L'emploi de rythmiques programmables apporte un aspect guerrier qui sied parfaitement aux morceaux. Le recours aux effets et aux claviers confere en plus cette petite touche atmosphérique qui plait tant a URSKUMUG meme si quarante minutes de boites a rythmes s'avere épuisant a la longue. Le titre d'ouverture «2012» annonce de suite la couleur générale de ce que proposera le combo Letton. Il est juste dommage que Krauklis et sa bande ne varie pas un tantinet le tempo et ose proposer des compositions plus axées sur le folklore local par exemple!
Des titres tels que «Time of The Jackdaw» ou «Talking As a Shaman's Son» auraient gagné a etre plus matures. Les titres comme «Beowulf», «Am Nodr» et «The Guardian» remontent le niveau et montrent tout le potentiel de cette formation Balte.
De plus aidés a la production par Gints Lundbergs (SKYFORGER, DISSIMULATION), URSKUMUG exploite un Black Metal Tribal explorant des themes comme le Shamanisme ou le Temps. Les propos du groupe se veulent donc proches de la Nature (la front cover de la pochette ne fera que confirmer cette idée montrant cet homme affublé d'une peau de bete).
L'avenement de URSKUMUG démontre bien que les pays Baltes sont friands de sonorités Black Metal et URSKUMUG s'annonce comme étant leur future porte drapeau version Lettone… [3 / 5]

 

Marcin, Panzerfaust zine [Poland]:

Just at the last moment of making this issue I got this new release from Ledo Takas Records (great label!!!). Ha, it seems URSKUMUG is Lithuanian, but unfortunately I've got no info about the band at all. But it will change soon, I need to get more info about them – simply because they're more than just worth of listening to. First I was really amazed by artwork for the album… Even on the promo copy it looks amazing, in great brown colours… And musically it's great stuff! Basically you could say it's black metal, very fast and uncompromising, but also with plenty of melody and slower fragments. This is monumental and majestic music, full of anger, but also the heathen atmosphere. The guitar leads the music with originally sounding melodies, bass is well heard and the vocals are well varied, from unique (Kvist-like) shriek to deeper growl. Everything is really straight forward, it's like aggressive, unstoppable, but not chaotic playing. There are also some different patterns, like in the title track, which is slower and based on completely different kind of riffing. Other time Urskumug used some weird, but great sounding instruments, which really fit to the overwhelming wall of massive, fast riffs. And the end of the album brings nostalgic, unusual guitar solo and strange outro. In slow fragments Urskumug could remind some Enslaved tracks, in faster ones the old atmosphere really gives me a memory of Kvist, but I think the entire album is like nothing else I heard so far. Somehow it could just reminds me of Sear Bliss, because both bands have their own, unique vision of black metal. Great stuff, very recommended then!!! [90 / 100]

 

Marian, Earshot website [Austria]:

Wem es gelungen ist, die Zungenknoten nach dem Aussprechen des Bandnamens wieder zu lösen, darf sich glücklich schätzen – und mit einer Portion Tribal Black Metal das wiedergewonnene Sprachvermögen feiern. Der nordische Krieger auf dem Cover lässt die Richtung, in die es bei URSKUMUG geht, ja bereits erahnen. Doch Achtung – hier wird mitunter recht wild experimentiert!
Das Siegel „Progressive“ möchte ich URSKUMUG nur bedingt aufdrücken, besteht das Skelett der Musik doch aus recht rohem und traditionellem Black Metal mittleren bis schnelleren Tempos. Dieser wird jedoch durch folkige Elemente, eine mitunter merkwürdig-absurde Melodieführung und Elektronik aufgebrezelt.
So entsteht zwar alles andere als leicht verdauliche, aber durchaus interessante und atmosphärisch dichte Musik. Nur etwas schade, dass ein steriler Computer-Zeugler die Urspünglichkeit etwas mindert – aber URSKUMUG stehen zu dieser Wahl. Für aufgeschlossene Pagan- und/oder Black-Freaks ist die Reise „Am Nodr“ einen Versuch wert. [5 / 7]

 

Marius Kristiansen, Icon webmagazine [Norway]:

Urskumug er intet mindre enn et Latvisk metal band og er for tiden aktuelle med sin andre full-lengder, deres forste på det Latviske selskapet Ledo Takas Records. Musikkstilen er i presseskrivet beskrevet som tribal black metal. Det går unna i et meget hoyt tempo når Urskumug setter i gang. Blastingen er dominerende og tilstede i enhver låt, men karene fra Latvia klarer likevel å skape litt variasjon gjennom å kombinere de kjappe partiene med noen roligere partier innimellom. Dette er nodvendig får å klare å holde interessen oppe gjennom hele skiva som tikker inn på droye 41 minutter.
Det er mye interessant riffing ute å går her, og det er det jeg vil trekke frem som albumets sterkeste side. Riffingen er av den litt spesielle sorten og gjor at det tar litt tid å få tak på denne plata, men når man får gitt den noen runder i spilleren så blir det bare bedre og bedre. Også det vokale er greit utfort. Her veksles det mellom en helt vanlig black metal vokal, som er den mest brukte, og en litt morkere death vokal. For min egen del synes jeg den ordinaere black vokalen er den som kler musikken best.
Urskumug benytter seg også av synth, men aldri som noe dominerende og ledende instrument. Her er synthen kun brukt som et stemningsskapende element. Den kan faktisk vaere litt vanskelig å legge merke til noen ganger ettersom den stort sett alltid ligger langt bak i miksen. Noe som trekker litt ned for min del er at det her brukes trommemaskin. Jeg er ingen stor fan av å bruke trommemaskin ettersom jeg ofte synes det odelegger litt av dynamikken i musikken. Dette er intet unntak på denne skiva. Hor bare ca 2 minutter å 55 sekunder ut i låt nummer tre. Det finnes mange slike eksempler, men det skal likevel sies at jeg har hort trommeprogrammeringer som er langt vaerre en dette!
Alt i alt er dette et meget bra album som vokser for hver gang man gir det en runde i cdspilleren, og det kan trygt anbefales til fans av velprodusert og kjapp black metal med et litt eget saerpreg. Det skal bli spennende å se hva Urskumug klarer å få til neste gang!
[7 / 10]

 

Mark Desgagne, Metal Universe website [Canada]:

C'est toujours agréable de découvrir de nouveaux groupes a travers le monde et je dois dire que Urskumug a été une belle surprise. Dans une ere moderne ou les groupes connus viennent principalement des pays majeurs en Europe, nous pourrions etre surpris d'apprendre que cette formation-ci nous provient de la Lettonie. On ne doit pas oublier qu'il est distribué par la compagnie de metal extreme Ledo Takas Records qui est située en Lithuanie. Meme si le groupe oeuvre dans un pays qui n'est pas reconnu pour la popularité du style musical, le son de Urskumug n'est pas le plus original que nous pouvons trouver sur le marché. Ils nous offrent un mélange entre le black metal et quelques influences death metal. Cependant, la particularité du groupe se situe au niveau de la langue de quelques pieces et en ce qui concerne les fondements de Urskumug.
Premierement, lorsque je fais référence aux fondements, il est question du theme abordé, qui est le coté ténebreux des croyances paiennes. Quelques légeres narrations viennent soutenir cette base avant de tomber dans un black metal rapide, "blast beat" et une double-caisse qui attaque avec fureur. Que ce soit l'introduction ou lors de la piece "The Guardian", nous avons également entendre des effets sonores spéciaux qui sont en mesure d'attirer notre attention. En général, les pieces "Time Of The Jackdaw", "----" et "Am Nodr" démontrent a leur tour de belles choses. La qualité des musiciens et la puissance du vocal se méritent une bonne note tout au long du disque. "Am Nodr" possede meme une légere chorale, qui ne prend trop de place et qui se mixe a la brutalité proposer par Urskumug et met beaucoup en vedette l'aspect tribal. Cet aspect est présent régulierement au cours de l'album.
En fait, avec tout le travail qui a été mis en place et en raison de la qualité du disque, le groupe aurait fort a gagner de mettre encore plus l'accent sur les sonorités tribales a travers leurs morceaux. Le tout se fait sentir, mais le son global plus générique de cette formation aura peut-etre un peu de difficulté a pouvoir se distinguer sur le marché black metal qui est déja tres développée. Par contre, "Am Nodr" est leur premier album, alors pour un début, c'est tres solide. Coté production, il n'y a rien de tres mal a dire, puisque la grande majorité des instruments se font bien entendre et la structure générale est fort respectable. Évidemment, certaines parties du "growls" semblent parfois éloignées, mais ce n'est rien de catastrophique et c'est surement un peu l'effet désiré a la base.
En conclusion, ce sont des passages comme ceux a la fin de la piece "Mother Of Halfworld" qui auraient du etre insérés régulierement a l'intérieur de leur musique. Ils ont peut-etre tenté de séparer de facon abusive les éléments de son tribal en les placant soit au début, au milieu ou a la fin seulement des pieces. Le fait de mélanger toutes les sonorités, effets sonores, et narrations a l'intérieur meme de leur musique aurait pu permettre a Urskumug de se distinguer beaucoup plus. Il s'agit d'un bon album dans la moyenne et la piece titre "Am Nodr" possede une authenticité particuliere qui devrait satisfaire la plupart des fans de black metal. Je vous recommande vraiment une écoute de ce disque et il sera intéressant de voir si Urskumug va décider d'élaborer encore davantage ce concept. [7,5 / 10]

 

Marko, Overhook website [Finland]:

Baltian metal scene represents another fairly new band, this time Urskumug from Latvia. They're also the second Latvian band I've ever come across with (Neglected Fields being the first) and the first one from that same country on Ledo Takas Records. Their second album (after the self-financed debut) bears the name Am Nodr (meaning The Other Side).
According to the promo sheet, this four-piece band plays some tribal black metal. Well, those tribal elements are not shown very clearly, but a sharp listener will found them easily, especially in the title track those elements are clearly found. It seems that the band hasn't got a drummer, so the two guitarists have programmed the drums. The result sounds surprisingly good and is on the same level with those machine-like top drummers. As expected, the tempo stays pretty high and there's not much room for any slower moments.
The band has also used some electronics and samples to spice up the sound. Especially the intro 2012 sounds pretty futuristic and the few moments of ~~~~ also. These create some much-needed variation, since the songs don't have that much of a difference compared to similar bands. Overall, the songs are pretty good and the album entertains from start to finish, so they deserve a chance to be heard. It doesn't hurt to try, does it? [3,5 / 5]

 

Martin Nilsson, First Play's website [Sweden]:

Rakt på och rakt igenom, total kross överallt. Total ösig blackmetal med några knasiga avbrott som ger oss en resa till den äldre skolan av blackmetal samtidigt som själva helheten blir morgondagens blackmetal. Vore det inte för att ljudbilden blir för grötig i mellan åt skulle det Urskumugs Am Nodr vara ett klockrent blackmetal släpp. [4 / 5]

 

Matma, Blackmetal Online website [Italy]:

Gli Urskumug sono una band relativamente giovane, nati nel 2001 sono una delle poche bands provenienti dalla Lettonia che suonino metal estremo, insieme ad altri nomi piu o meno noti venuti alla ribalta sul panorama europeo come Skyforger, Nycticorax e Neglected Fields; ed approdano subito all'attivissima etichetta lituana Ledo Takas dopo un solo cdr uscito nel 2003 ("Pareja") grazie ad una personalita e ad una capacita tecnica davvero niente male. La musica proposta ci viene indicata come "Tribal Black Metal", ma il termine pui trarre in inganno facendo pensare a qualcosa di folkeggiante o pagan, invece il termine "tribal" e riferito di piu alle tematiche trattate, che pare prendano in esame appunto credenze pagane Lettoni, dico pare perche non ho i testi e perche il cantato e alternato tra l'ingles