September 29, 2025

Episode 134 – We Stand With Ukraine: Drudkh’s Microcosmos & Handful of Stars

1 hour

Although Ukraine’s Drudkh may be best known for its trance-inducing, minimalist black metal, Radical Research makes a case for the band’s divisive 2009 and 2010 recordings, Microcosmos and A Handful of Stars, which explore new sonic geographies. We believe these oft-maligned records are worth your attention and hope that our discussion will convince you so.

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Music cited in order of appearance:

“Distant Cries of Cranes” (Microcosmos, 2009)

“Decadence” (Microcosmos, 2009)

“Ars Poetica” (Microcosmos, 2009)

“Dawnfall of the Epoch” (A Handful of Stars, 2010)

“Towards the Light” (A Handful of Stars, 2010)

“Twilight Aureole” (A Handful of Stars, 2010)

“The Day Will Come” (A Handful of Stars, 2010)

Radical Research is a conversation about the inner- and outer-reaches of rock and metal music. This podcast is conceived and conducted by Jeff Wagner and Hunter Ginn. Though we consume music in a variety of ways, we give particular privilege to the immersive, full-album listening experience. Likewise, we believe that tangible music formats help provide the richest, most rewarding immersions and that music, artwork, and song titles cooperate to produce a singular effect on the listener. Great music is worth more than we ever pay for it.

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By Jeff Wagner & Hunter Ginn

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