
Nicolas Flamel would be proud.
-- Shuulak --
14/01/2021
Stijn Daneels

Album genres:
■ | heavy metal |
Album artists:
■ | Eve Laetitia | Lead guitar |
■ | Ricardo Kroon | Rhythm guitar |
■ | Puck Wildschut | Bass |
■ | Angelo Tower | Drums |
■ | Bastiën Baron | Vocals |
Review written by Stijn "Metal Shredder" Daneels.
[METAL SHREDDER REPORTING]
Shuulak is
a band that I discovered in 2018 when they contacted me to check out their 2018
maxi-single “Albedo,” which I gave a good and enjoyable listen. Just before the
2020 holidays, Shuulak’s frontman Bastiën contacted me again to review their new
EP “Rubedo.” And now that we’re well past the Christmas season, it’s time to
give their latest release a good hard shred!
[SHREDDING BASICS]
“Rubedo” is
the third EP from the Dutch heavy metal band Shuulak and is an independent release.
The EP begins with “Ancient Sins,” a song with galloping drums, melodic guitars
and operatic vocals and exhaling a dark magical atmosphere. Those same vibes continue
in the following track, “Scourge of Aeons,” with its hypnotizing riffs and chants,
particularly in the song’s middle part.
Next comes the
title track, “Rubedo,” a brooding monologue of the alchemist who has finally
created his life’s work and is ready to move on. And so we move on to both
parts of “The Azoth.” Part 1 mainly features harsh and heavy riffs and very upbeat
Iron Maiden like beats during its middle section while Part 2 is a gentle
ballad with whispering female vocals and relaxing guitars and violins.
I’d
describe Shuulak’s sound as Judas Priest, especially when it comes to the
guitar melodies and overall song structure, but with slower rhythms and a more mysterious
and sinister atmosphere with singer Bastiën having a seductive, charismatic
voice of an alchemist who’s passionately performing his experiments. The guitar
solos are beautiful and the whole thing is tightly written and well paced, just
like the old-school acts Shuulak takes inspiration from. Nothing more, but
certainly nothing less.

[SHREDDING VISION]
The main
theme throughout Shuulak’s discography is alchemy and the pathway to the philosopher’s
stone. “Rubedo” forms the fourth and final phase in this alchemic process with
their earlier releases, chronologically “Nigredo,” “Albedo” and “Citrinitas” being
the three earlier parts.
Another
theme featured in “Rubedo” is the concept of rebirth and afterlife, which is
also featured on Rubedo’s cover art, depicting a woman lying on an altar decorated
with alchemic symbols and who’s soul is flying out of her body. Nice artwork
overall and well-fitting for Shuulak’s dark, slightly macabre setting.
[SHARPEST SHREDS & BLUNTEST BLADES]
My top pick
go to “The Azoth I,” a tune that drips with atmosphere and which shows off Shuulak’s
Judas Priest and Iron Maiden influences beautifully. Also “Ancient Sins” and “Scourge
of Aeons” deserve to be mentioned here for they are both very catchy songs.
I did feel
that this EP was a bit too short for my tastes so I hope Shuulak will finally
follow up this four-part series with a full length release. I’m also quite
curious to see whether they’ll continue with the alchemic themes or move on to
something else. Maybe a series of songs about Tarot cards, who knows, but in
the meantime Shuulak deserves…
[SHREDDER’S SCORECARD]
8 philosopher’s
stones out of 10. With this fourth and final part of their tetralogy, Shuulak clearly
show themselves as a very enjoyable and highly atmospheric heavy metal act that’s
well worth checking out if you enjoy the likes of Judas Priest or Iron Maiden.
Check out “Ancient Sins.”