Fascinating metal innovators DORDEDUH have unveiled a new live video for the track ‘Timpul întâilor‘, which was recorded during their show at the prestigious ProgPower Europe festival at the Sjiwa in Baarlo, the Netherlands in 2023.
While the Romanians were playing, their compatriot and renowned artist Costin Chioreanu created a live painting at the venue, which was directly inspired by the music. His artistic process was projected onto the backdrop behind the band.
The video ‘Timpul întâilor (live at ProgPower 2023 feat. Costin Chioreanu)‘ is available for immediate publication via this link: https://youtu.be/l6YM1MgQFQo
DORDEDUH comment: “First I need to mention that ProgPower is a very special festival with a particularly nice vibe to it”, frontman Edmond “Hupogrammos” Karban writes. “It is very intimate but feels like a big family meeting. There were great shows and great bands, but the afterparty at that castle-like hotel that accommodates both the musicians and the audience is something else entirely. We had a really great time there. Therefore, I am especially glad that we did something special there with our amazing friend of so many years now, Costin Chioreanu. Everybody involved deserves that and we are grateful for this opportunity. This kind of memory, this kind of beautiful moment will stay in our memories. Luckily, this one memory got immortalised for all to see in this video. Hopefully, you will enjoy it, too!”
The track ‘Timpul întâilor‘ is taken from the album “Har“. Please see below for album details, streaming link, and biographical information.
Tracklist “Har”
1. Timpul întâilor
2. În vieliștea uitării
3. Descânt
4. Calea magilor
5. Vraci de nord
6. Desferecat
7. De neam vergur
8. Văznesit
With their sophomore full-length, “Har”, Romania’s DORDEDUH have created a rare and unique metal record that defies easy categorisation, pushes boundaries, and offers something new and previously unheard. Dropping names of such game changing artists as FAITH NO MORE, CELTIC FROST, and DEVIN TOWNSEND is by no means intended as a musical comparison, but rather used to indicate the astonishing level of innovation offered by “Har”.
Based on previous experience, guitarists and founders Edmond “Hupogrammos” Karban and Sol Faur aka Cristian Popescu were expected to deliver an album oscillating in the musical space between dark folk and black metal. While they did indeed draw from those sources, they also fearlessly incorporated electronic, gothic, rock, psychedelic, prog, and even pop elements without prejudice.
This open-minded approach resulted in a stunning artistic achievement, from the fierce and epic opening track ‘Timpul întâilor’ to the catchy ‘Descânt’ to percussive interludes like ‘Calea magilor’ and cinematic blockbusters such as ‘Vraci de nord’. “Har” stubbornly resists any attempt of an easy stylistic categorisation. Each song has its own distinct personality, but all are tied together by DORDEDUH walking an artistic left-hand path. A lurking sense of occult mystery and underlying darkness permeate even the most joyful moments on “Har”.
It is not the first time that Hupogrammos and Sol Faur have been involved in creating an iconic album. Both had leading roles in composing of NEGURĂ BUNGET’s masterpiece “Om”, which essentially put Romania onto the map of heavy music. After an acrimonious split, the duo from the city of Timișoara founded DORDEDUH and delighted critics and fans alike with the EP “Valea omului” (2010) and debut full-length “Dar de duh” (2012).
Besides the obvious point of lyrics in the musical Romanian language, the native element also hides in DORDEDUH’s melodies and rhythms as well as in subtle touches of traditional instrumentation. The effect easily compares to the often unnoticed way SYSTEM OF A DOWN have organically incorporated traditional Armenian music into their sound. Despite a strong presence, those regional components will only reveal themselves to connoisseurs of Caucasian – or in the case of DORDEDUH, Carpathian – folk. Yet at no time such knowledge of traditional ingredients is needed to fully enjoy or become immersed in their work.
The remarkable production of “Har” is another factor in making the album special. Although Hupogrammos is an experienced sound engineer, DORDEDUH entrusted mixing and mastering to celebrated producer Jens Bogren, renowned for his singular approach and impact on the work of major artists including OPETH, DIMMU BORGIR, KATATONIA, MOONSPELL, DEVIN TOWNSEND, and IHSAHN. The Swede proved to be an excellent choice, and he brought this dark diamond to perfect brilliance.
Beyond the music, DORDEDUH created “Har” as a journey into the unknown. The Romanians offer their songs to connect listeners with a cosmic heritage buried deep in the subconscious, guiding an aural journey into the collective memories encapsulated within. According to Hupogrammos, “the title of the album could be translated as grace, talent, or as being gifted in the divine sense”.
“Har” is a milestone – and not just for Romanian metal. DORDEDUH have taken an artistic quantum leap that promises to be recognized as one of the finest and most individual metal albums of the year, and perhaps even the decade.
Release date: May 14, 2021
Style: Avant-garde metal
Label: Prophecy Productions
Line-up
Edmond “Hupogrammos” Karban – vocals, guitars, keyboards, mandola, tulnic
Cristian “Sol Faur” Popescu – guitars, keyboards, hammered dulcimer
Andrei Jumugă – drums & percussion, toaca
Flavius Misarăș – bass
Traditional instruments
Tambal, xylophon, toaca, tulnic, nai, fluier, caval, dube, timbale, lemne, mandola
Recorded at Consonance Studio by Andrei Jumuga, Sol Faur, Edmond Karban
Mixed and mastered at Fascination Street Studios by Jens Bogren
Artwork & Layout by Costin Chioreanu
Links
www.dordeduh.ro
www.facebook.com/dordeduh
www.instagram.com/dordeduhband