Cleveland’s Druparia provides mysticism for skeptics of all ages, with introspective metal soundtracking what is undoubtedly a difficult year. Their record The River Above dives deep emotionally, suggesting that it is worth it to rise above sea level, even in tumultuous conditions. Sonically, the LP is quintessential death metal with a cinematic twist. These songs would fare well at hole-in-the-wall venues, but the mixes are large enough to tackle giant arenas. The River Above sounds like how a fantasy novel feels; each note within these tracks paints a clear picture in the mind’s eye.
“Kintsugi” is my favorite track on the album. Druparia’s callback to their band name by incorporating themes of mythology is both clever and necessary. This track, closing in at about five minutes, showcases the band’s strengths. The way bands tell stories in their music has always fascinated me. Death metal has a knack for tackling known stories on a band’s terms.
“In Repose, Descend” is an easy second choice for track rankings. There is a very healthy-sounding lead scream that shines in this song. However, sometimes, the lead vocal gets lost in these mixes. This song is one where this doesn’t happen, insinuating that post-production was carefully curated. The piano solo halfway through the song is gorgeous, adding to the cinematic quality of Druparia’s aesthetic choices.
Death metal can be rather pretentious, with harsh critics preferring to reinvent the wheel over and over again rather than experiment for growth. Druparia avoid this redundant conundrum by implementing fuzzy synthesizers in songs like “Sever The Roots.” It’s a subtle choice, but it becomes a big deal in the long run. The song wouldn’t have had the same effect on its listeners without that subtlety. This record has been a long work in progress, with the initial ideas for it brewing since 2011. This is good advice for up-and-comers; Druparia could have easily fleshed out this record long ago, with half-finished ideas lining every bar. Instead, they took their time and made something really freaking cool.
Frankly, the nerdcore elements within The River Above are a complete necessity. Bands need to wipe that chip off their shoulder and dig deeper into the geeky elements of death metal. This concept album works because it retells stories with their main themes at the forefront, encouraging listeners to think about it in terms of their daily lives. Plus, these guidelines made way for some killer instrumentals, like in the title track.
The River Above is perfectly self-aware. It is a real shredder, with intense riffage building as stories evolve lyrically. However, just a smidge of polishing would make the record’s production all the more profound. Druparia is almost ready to create its magnum opus, with The River Above at an incredible standard for its work ethic. These passionate and creative musicians have much to offer the scene, and one could only assume that their next full-length LP will be a flawless masterpiece—they were born great, but they will also have greatness thrust upon them.
