From Bandcamp, "Verum Malum" is the fourth album and deals with the growing unquenchable and inescapable evil in man, not just during our times, but throughout history. The undertones that permeate man's actions are still there, ready to come out once the slightest cracks appear on the surface. Nearly eight years in the making, the new album is a look back into the 90s soundscapes and a more aggressive effort, a step away further into exploring new depths, ideas and expression, without forgetting the true essence of DRAUGNIM.”

“Traitor’s Crown” is the first cut. There is a slow lead-up to the sound, which bursts through flesh like an alien life force. The production is too much on the treble side of things, but the deep vocals and ever-present drumming help to make up for that. The overall environment of the song is very controlled and tightly structured. “Ver Sacrum” is another deeply harrowing sound that is overgrown with images of evil, of torture, and other thing that go bump in the night. Perhaps what is so striking so far through two songs is the complicated structures that the band builds mostly with guitars and drums, but also with keyboards and vocals.

“Salt the Earth” is another highly energetic song that burns richly and the flames seem to linger much past the time when the song ends. The symphonic elements are used sparingly, and while they enhance the music, they are just there in support. “Lifescorn” expands the sound beyond the traditional structures of Black Metal, with some smart chord progressions and I am also picking up on some classical elements here, which the band seems to handle deftly. “Aeons” has some despondent tones in it, almost like the sinking feeling that you get when mankind fucks up yet again. Are we incapable of learning from past mistakes, or are we inherently wired towards evil, as the album suggests, and just need the right environment for it to come out?

“Deeds of Strife” is the final song, and the album ends on a somber and ominous tone. In keeping with the theme of the album, it seems evil will always win, or at least, that is what is reported in the news. Wars, crimes, and other atrocities seem to be all that gets headlines these days. If evil wins, we are all in trouble. To get a closer look at this world they paint, take a trip down DRAUGHNIM’s album here, and dive head first into the darker side of life.