Ildaruni – Divinum Sanguinem
Release Date: 7th November 2025
Label: Black Lion Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Black Metal
FFO: Rotting Christ, Varathron, Kawir.
Review By: Aeons Burning
There’s a certain ethos to the Greek sound of black metal that keeps me coming back: the sheer, triumphant, heavy metal-infused riffing it brings. However, Ildaruni is notably not Greek: they’re Armenian. Yet on sophomore effort Divinum Sanguinem, Ildaruni evoke the great Greek legends of old, notably Kawir, Rotting Christ, and Varathron. There’s a few unconventional instruments present here as well, notably a qanun and a dap, and both of those add a fresh breath to Divinum Sanguinem. I’m a big fan of Middle Eastern and Central Asian instruments in general, so hearing a qanun and a dap (or daf) is an excellent touch. However, a few exotic instruments aren’t enough to make an album great. Have Ildaruni proven they’re a force to be reckoned with, or is this a mere shadow of who they worship?
The short answer is that Ildaruni have proven themselves to be a rising force in the black metal world. Divinum Sanguinem is that triumphant Greek sound but played faster and folkier, leading to a rather unique sound that I can’t say I’ve heard before. Dual guitarists Mark Erskine and Robert Meliksetyan lay out a barrage of scorching riffs, while drummer Arthur Poghosyan pounds an all out assault, and the instrumentation is truly top-notch throughout. While all proper songs are great, the true highlight is Scorching Paths to Samachi, which has the aforementioned qanun, courtesy of guest Mar Margaryan, and the way Ildaruni integrate it into the song is genius: not having it as a gimmick but rather a full-fledged part of the song, which is so different to how other bands that integrate exotic instruments in their music. The chants and choirs throughout Divinum Sanguinem provide an appropriately ominous atmosphere as well, and the cherry on top is the excellent artwork done by the always on-point Khaos Diktator.
Divinum Sanguinem is another record in a slew of solid black metal albums I’ve listened to in the final quarter of the year. I can’t really find any issues with it, but it won’t be cracking my list at the same time. That being said, it also doesn’t need to crack my list: I just want something good, and Ildaruni have delivered a monster of an album here. I’ve no doubt Ildaruni will continue their upward trajectory, and Divinum Sanguinem is an absolute must-listen for anyone who craves the more triumphant sound in their black metal.
(3.5 / 5)
