There are times when we all need a refreshed outlook. In the world of music, it is extremely challenging to keep the approach fresh, sincere, and something that appeals to a fanbase. Truly a balancing act, for Germany’s SuidAkrA, a band that has been together for thirty years, there have been several wrinkles to the story.
First releasing their debut album Lupine Essence independently in 1997, the band attracted listeners with a blend of Folk, Black, Death, and even some Gothic Metal elements. From here, they steadily progressed, and by the early 2000s, they had solidified their place with albums like 2002’s Emprise to Avalon and 2003’s Signs for the Fallen. Sustaining excellence with their hybrid form of Metal, they continued to impress with 2011’s Book of Dowth and moved forward with a list of albums that explored even more Folk/Celtic elements. However, lineup changes in more recent years have left only co-founding Guitarist/Vocalist Arkadius “Akki” Antonik as the only original member.
This factor could deter some fear, not least because Antonik has done a fine job of assembling a solid group of contributors, including Guitarist/Vocalist Sebastian Jensen, Drummer Ken Jentzen, and Bassist Hauke Oje, the band’s newest member. Together, SuidAkrA marches forward with a bold return in 2024 called Darkanakrad.
The band’s fifteenth studio album, Darkanakrad, arrived on November 7, 2024, through MDD Records. Their third album through the label, the first being 2019’s re-recorded collection entitled Echoes of Yore, and next was the ever-impressive 2021 album Wolfbite. The latter is considered a powerful, aggressive Folk Death Metal offering, but the 2024 Darkanakrad arguably takes the mood to the next level. For this new album for the first time, Antonik took on the mixing himself, all while the legendary Dan Swanö handled the mastering. Important factors to mention are that the dynamics and sound of Darkanakrad are nothing short of spectacular.
Deserving high praise in this department drives the new album home because you can feel the energy in every single track. Melodic, speedy, and packed with a ton of aggression, this is the album SuidAkrA has waited for. A total of eleven songs, you are immediately met with a frigid burst of air with “As Hereos Abide” before songs like “Unravelling Destinies,” “Heart of Darkness,” and “The Last Guardian” lead you down a path of largely Blackened Death Metal.
Filled with interesting dips and dives in each song, you also have fantastic listens like “Cruinnath’s Breath” and those like the stripped-down acoustic “In Shadow Deep,” which perfectly breaks up the chaotic storm.
In all, it seems like SuidAkrA has struck a perfect balance with Darkanakrad. It is heavy and furious but saturated with extremely memorable melodies. What could be one of their best albums, Cryptic Rock, gives Darkanakrad 4 out of 5 stars.
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