THE BEAST

'Vedic metal' pioneers since the early '90s return this year with their most ambitious album till date. Having worked hard over the years to forge a unique sound that's a sublime blend of Indian classical music rooted in ancient spirituality and extreme metal encompassing death metal, black metal and thrash metal music, Rudra have influenced many and more importantly, have set standards. Unheralded overlords of Asia, Rudra have a cult following that remains mysteriously loyal, as they hone a sound that's probably unparalleled. Their latest album, again founded on the principles of Vedic spirituality, extemporizes on the conventional extreme metal template and achieves hitherto unknown sonic effects. Indian classical instruments such as sitar, flute, tablas (Indian percussion) and even a didgeridoo are used for this album, along with female vocals and ritualistic chanting to emanate a genuine, spiritual expression. 'Enemy of Duality' is destined to be a landmark from the Orient, one that doesn't abandon the ancient roots and blends the traditional sounds and philosophies seamlessly into music that's at once challenging and hypnotic.

DECIBEL MAGAZINE (US) PREMIERE -
decibelmagazine.com/blog/2016/10/11/get-your-first-listen-to-rudras-ancient-fourth

NOISEY (US) PREMIERE -
noisey.vice.com/en_us/article/rudra-aims-to-bring-vedic-metal-to-the-masses-with-enemy-of-duality

NO CLEAN SINGING (US) PREMIERE - www.nocleansinging.com/2016/09/19/an-ncs-premiere-rudra-abating-the-firebrand/comment-page-1/

ECHOES AND DUST (UK) PREMIERE - echoesanddust.com/2016/10/review-exclusive-track-stream-rudra-enemy-of-duality/

THE OBELISK (US) PREMIERE -
theobelisk.net/obelisk/2016/12/14/rudra-enemy-of-duality-hermit-in-nididhyasana-premiere/

THRASHOCORE PREMIERE -
www.thrashocore.com/accueil/accueil.html#%2Fnews%2Fnews%2F4748-les-news-du-30-novembre-2016-rudra-valgrind-feral-in-flames-the-great-old-ones-doedsvangr-news.html

- "band's immersive blend of extreme destruction and expansive traditional instrumentation stands out as superlative" - Decibel Magazine (US)

- "one of the year’s highlights" - No Clean Singing (US)

- "preserves both traditional and modern music under the flag of Rudra" - Soundscape Magazine (UK) 10/10

- "an extraordinarily rich experience" - Ave Noctum (UK) 9.5/10

- "a surprising blend of dark and light" - Moshpit Nation (UK) 4.5/5

- "Rudra’s most ambitious piece yet" - Metal Addicts (US)

- "it’s no less a stunner" - The Obelisk (US)

- "Work of this caliber does not require many words" - Mundo Rock (Chile) 9.1/10

- "a must-listen" - All About The Rock (UK) 9/10

- "a solid closer to 2016" - Dead Rhetoric (US)

- "impressive" - Trebuchet Magazine (UK)

- "It’s meditative, and inspiring in its use of Central Asian instruments and chanting" - Echoes & Dust (UK)

- "undisputed master" - Music Street Journal (US)

- "a shredder’s delight" - Wormwood Chronicles (US)

- "a monumental work" - Iye Zine (Italy)

- "a distinctive flavour" - Wonderbox Metal (UK)

- "very interesting" - Metal Wani (India)

- "original feel of "Vedic Metal"" - Dissecting the Euphony (Indonesia)

- "an extravagant display that should not be passed up for anything" - Headbanger Reviews (US)

- "Rudra does well" - Hallowed (Sweden)

- "very clever metal riffs" - Franconia Metallum (Germany)

- "one of my favourite records of this year" - The Killchain (UK)
credits
released December 17, 2016

Kathir - Vocals, Bass
Vinod - Guitar
Simon - Guitar
Shiva - Drums