Album Review: Nine Treasures – Awakening From Dukkha (Self Released)

Few bands can claim to have an identity and sound as remarkable as Nine Treasures. Forming in 2010, one of the original Mongolian folk-metal bands have one simple goal: to take Mongolian heavy metal worldwide.

Now, a decade on; three albums, millions of streams and several European tours and festival shows (Wacken Open Air, Woodstock Poland) later, Nine Treasures are well on their way, having led a Mongolian metal revolution.

The band are celebrating their journey so far with their new re-recorded ‘Best Of’ record, Awakening from Dukkha, to be released on the 19th March 2021. A celebration of the past it may be, but for vocalist/guitarist Askhan and his bandmates, this decade-spanning collection is also a rebirth for Nine Treasures:

Our fans deserve to hear us at our best, which is why we were so motivated to make this album. Now we’ve done that, we just want to keep Nine Treasures going as long as possible, make music that we’re proud of and spread a little positivity… and tour the world again!

Chances are you’re more than familiar with Nine Treasures already, after all, they have taken the world by storm over the last decade. However, if by some miracle, this is your first outing with the unique metal band then there’s no better entry point as this 12-track best of covers their entire career to date in re-recorded fashion. From their debut album ‘Arvan Ald Guulin Honshoor’ in 2012 to 2013’s self-titled follow-up and 2017’s tour de force, Wisdom Eyes.

If you are new to the Nine Treasures party, you might be wondering what you’re in for in regard to their sound.

Keeping it simple, Nine Treasures are a folk metal band. One that has vocals sung in Mongolian and that utilises traditional instruments like a Morin khuur and Balalaika alongside the usual guitar, bass and drums. The combination makes for a unique listen while still be obviously folkish and based in heavy metal.

There is no better way to get to grips with a band than a ‘best of’ but it’s also a thrilling reward for long-term fans to relive classics with a modern touch, in a newer environment and album structure. The years between releases aren’t as obvious as you might expect. All of Nine Treasures’ efforts sound fresh and the album also showcases the variety and development in sound.

Though if you want a selection to pick out, let us recommend you a few. Starting with the hyperactivity bounce of Black Heart, the metal tempo groove of Ten Years, galloping folk quality of Praise for Fine Horse and the head-banger that is Wisdom Eyes.

Nine Treasures – Awakening from Dukkha Full Track Listing:

1. Black Heart
2. Arvan Ald Guulin Honshoor
3. Fable of Mangas
4. Nomin Dalai
5. Tes River’s Hymn
6. Ten Years
7. The Dream About Ancient City
8. Praise for Fine Horse
9. The End of The World
10. Wisdom Eyes
11. The Stubborn
12. Three Years Old Warrior

Links

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