Suidakra
Lupine Essence

Suidakra has been around for more than a quarter of a century now, and it was about 23 years since the debut album Lupine Essence was released. It sold out pretty quickly and has only been rereleased once, until now. Now it comes on vinyl for the first time, that version is no remastered, and on remastered CD with some bonus tracks. It also features a new artwork, one that is true to the original, but I think it looks better. But is it a good thing for the Suidakra fans that wants some lupine essence in their record collection?

Musically it can be described as Celtic metal, extreme metal with folkish elements, especially of the Celtic kind. The vocals are growly, and the music would seem pretty familiar to those listening to this kind of music. Even remastered, this album feels a bit dated now and I think Suidakra has done more vital albums like this – and I am not even an expert in this band. Last year’s Echoes of Yore is one example of such an album, but as a curiosity it is very interesting and a very solid effort.

This is probably mostly an album for the collectors, those who wants to increase their collection of the band. Because while this album is good, it isn’t one of the best albums I have heard from the band or within the genre so it may not be for other than fans. I can see the worth though considering how long it has been out of print and that it is released on vinyl for the first time, the remastered CD that I have listened to also has a few bonus tracks adding value for money with some nice curiosities.

Would I buy it? No, I buy very few albums nowadays and those I buy are albums that feel special to me, and this one is not such an album. And for the more casual music fans it might be a less impressive album, it is probably mostly for the fans of the band and perhaps of the genre. For those of you curious about the beginning of this strong and interesting band it can be an album worth checking out, I think this is a really nice reissue.

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