ALBUM REVIEW: Ulkum - "Ulkum"

By: Ernesto Aguilar

Album Type: Full length

Date Released:08/11/2017

Label: Live Fast Die Records

Songs like II" has an intelligent build up on the way to a pulsing tone that creates the sort of dread that the best doom can conjure.  Should you love that description, this album will be the red meat you're waiting for.

 

“Ulkum”CS//DD track listing

1. Rehearsal I

2. Rehearsal II

3. Rehearsal III

4. Clothed in the Ashes of Fallen Brethren

5. Breathe Darkness, Swallow Light         

6. Children of Ulkum

The Review:

How many funeral doom bands can you think of that make their primary business live performances? Certainly a few, but the majority seem to be studio acts. That is because this particular subgenre is so much about atmosphere that it is rare to really be able to strike that mood in a bar, or with restless attendees, even ones who are into it.

In the case of Minneapolisfour-piece Ulkum, its trial by fire has been largely on the performance circuit. Its debut album, "First Prophecy" from October, was a live performance on community radio station KFAI. Before that debut, Ulkumreleased a demo, "Demonstration," in January of this year. Now back with its eponymous full length, which features its three tracks from the demo and three fresh editions of songs from the live album, fans finally get a sense of what the group can truly do.

Ulkum is composed of some of the region's experienced musicians, including bassist Jesse Geirr Conaway of the black metal band Drona; drummer Jonathon Andrew Roll, formerly of black/death metal outfit Autumnal Winds and black metal group Feral Light; lead guitarist Aaron Lott of progressive metal crew Chaos Frame and melodic death metal act Pestifere; and vocalist Joshua Ans of death metal performers Fallen Empire. Given its lineage, Ulkum'sform of doom has had prominent black metal and death metal influences, as well as a lo-fi aesthetic that audiences caught on that original demo. Should you love that description, this album will be the red meat you're waiting for.

If you caught the group's initial release, the first three cuts will be your reminder of Ulkum'ssound. Those cuts, titled "I" to "III," are tighter versions of the "Demonstration" sessions that are still raw, decidedly on the low-end and muddy. It may have been challenging to figure out if that was purposeful, or just a casualty of austere recording, but there are plenty of dark glimmers to nevertheless appreciate. In particular, "II" has an intelligent build up on the way to a pulsing tone that creates the sort of dread that the best doom can conjure. If you are familiar with the previous songs, these renditions are particularly strong, and perhaps even better, than the originals.

The second half of "Ulkum" covers the cuts from "First Prophecy." The tracks released from that October performance gave listeners glimpses of growth from the band. There is perceptibly more mature compositions between a song like "I" and "Clothed in the Ashes of Fallen Brethren." On this album, the versions of "First Prophecy" songs feel almost identical, beyond a few touches. This is a positive thing. In fact, if you owned or streamed "Demonstration," this is a good chance to own the most quality versions of those cuts, plus the even better versions of tracks from "First Prophecy."

"Ulkum" is available here

Band info: bandcamp || facebook