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Keeping their streak of an EP per year alive, The Netherlands' Shuulak released the 5-song Rubedo just under the wire on 12/30/20. They play modern-tinged traditional metal with a great sound despite their independent status. I say five songs, but the title track is a spoken-word piece that is just under a minute leaving "Ancient Sins," "Scourge of Aeons" and "The Azoth" as more examples of the bands' tight performances and solid songwriting that, like the songs on 2019's Cintrinitas, are well written and played. They push the envelope on "The Azoth II," a short, atmospheric song that rounds out Rubedo with an ethereal melody and female vocals courtesy of guitarist Eve Laetitia. I like Rubedo a lot, though I would not call it a breakout, but it has the feel of a band on the cusp of taking it to the next level and creating something truly special.