Recently, on a late evening, Madame Metalfan was out, and I was comfortably seated in my armchair with a cold bottle of beer, watching a live concert of a doom metal band on our impressively large TV. On my skin was a generous application of “Land of Warriors,” and so it happened that I suddenly felt "live" in the midst of the action. How convenient - saved on the entrance fee, I thought! Knowing that I would never have experienced this illusion to such an extent without your fragrance, I decided to write you a letter.
Unfortunately, I only know 8 scents from your hand, enough to admire your creativity. Is there actually a typical Duchaufour scent? One thing did catch my attention, and it ran like a red thread through your collection. Your fragrances are beautiful and rounded (no edges, no corners) and are certainly suitable for the masses. Although you are a niche expert and have long turned your back on the mainstream, I have always had the impression that you want to appeal to as large a customer base as possible. However, “Land of Warriors” makes it clear that you won’t be pinned down here either. I must say, with this fragrance you have ventured miles away from the mainstream. It is so strange, so different! In a turquoise perfumery, for example, there would probably be no space for it even on the bottom shelf.
Before I express my individual perception of Land of Warriors, I would like to take the opportunity to briefly mention three other works of yours. After all, I also want to make it clear how diverse I perceive your fragrances and how distinctly Land of Warriors separates itself.
EXAMPLE 1: Timbuktu! This fragrance, despite its masculine emphasis, is quite fragile in composition. Do you like Swiss watches, Monsieur? You have demonstrated fine precision work and love for detail here, just like in a Swiss timepiece. One fragrance cog engages with another, and a nervous restlessness completes the picture. Quite abstract for a scent that is supposed to reflect a Malian oasis city (and it does). How would Pablo Picasso have painted Timbuktu?
With all due respect for craftsmanship, I wouldn’t wear Timbuktu. I wouldn’t hang a Picasso over my sofa either ;-).
EXAMPLE 2: Sartorial! Mister Sartorial, who delights with umbrella, cham and bowler hat in “Very British” style, once led me to a rather spontaneous purchase decision due to his decadent “spice-rush kickoff.” It’s just a pity that the rush was over about 20 minutes after the “sniffing.” Then Mister Sartorial pushes the spice drugs aside and goes in a completely different direction. Very noble but also somewhat bourgeois, while always remaining “Very British,” he becomes the “Duchaufour bestseller No. 1” through beeswax, lavender & Co.
EXAMPLE 3: Leather up! A luxurious suede core, so soft and supple that one might doubt its authenticity, is enveloped in yawning boredom. I see a cliché bureaucrat with a Hermes handbag slung over her shoulder. Where did she get that? - Confused!
Aside from the (too) beautiful handbag and an insane longevity (very close to the skin, yet despite showering, it lasts a solid 16 hours), the “special” remains hidden from me here. Of course, the price is also something special, as the fragrance is hardly available for under 280 euros per 50ml.
Pardon Monsieur, I can imagine what an honor it must be for a perfumer to work for the charming artist Phuong Dang. Toutes mes felicitations! But …......
Well, maybe the true connoisseur recognizes an artistic aspect here. Change of subject!
Monsieur, do you actually like metal? Land of Warrior not only smells damn good, but you can also hear it. Where did you get your inspirations for this fragrance? Were you allowed to listen to metal at “The Vagabond Prince” house?
With classic heavy metal, Land of Warriors has nothing to do, of course. I think more of doom metal, which conveys a deeply dramatic, melancholic, desperate, or apocalyptic atmosphere in slow motion. Anyone who is drawn to this rather rare subgenre should definitely test Land of Warrior. Although the scent isn’t quite as loud and is somewhat brighter tuned compared to a Toni Iommi guitar, stylistically it is damn similar.
Now admit it, Monsieur, you are a metalhead!
The bottle is so beautifully and excitingly designed that one immediately wants to press the spray button. Esoteric-playful, it awakens a longing for a foreign world. The horses of the warriors against a blood-red background....
Still, I would have designed it differently. Perhaps in black with a dark foggy moon and riding warriors in a hauntingly beautiful doom metal landscape?!
Before I ordered a decant of this fragrance, I read the listed ingredients.
Iris concrete was there - bolded! My problem - I don’t like iris! Thanks to the comment from Monsieur Torfdoen on Parfumo, my curiosity about Land of Warriors was nonetheless awakened. It was worth it just for the fact that I now also know that iris can come across quite differently. … eu de la chance!
Iris concrete is among the most expensive fragrance materials ever. A staggering 70,000 to 90,000 euros for a kilo of that paste, making it about twice as expensive as 1kg of gold bars or my car when it was still brand new. For me, it still takes a “Land of Warriors” to appreciate iris concrete. Merci beaucoup, Monsieur Duchaufour!
Land of Warriors has the necessary spatial depth to make a vast landscape appear.
A colorful mix of bitter plants, fruits, and incense makes this landscape seem foreign and occult. In fact, Land of Warriors is a beautiful, mystical fragrance with a stoic calmness, provided you don’t let the warriors intimidate you.
The image of the warriors and their horses is created by a powerful iris, which merges with a very rough, brittle, and particularly natural vintage leather. Tobacco, patchouli, and musk complete the picture. The warriors draw all attention to themselves, and the scene shrinks to a small backdrop. Although the warriors are present from the beginning, it becomes increasingly difficult to recognize the vastness and beauty of nature as the story unfolds.
The name is the program here! No battlefield is depicted, but slowly riding warriors. Since they appear neither tired nor wounded, the battle is yet to come. Something chemically toxic, “mineral-oily” lingers in the air and mixes with the violet-like iris to create a bizarre and threatening brew. This brew gives the fragrance its “bite” and is the indispensable dot on the i that defines the name Land of Warriors!
This brew stands in contrast to the ancient image of the riding warriors, thus creating plenty of ambivalence. Poison-soaked arrows or a special weapon oil? No idea! In any case, this ambivalence creates tension and leaves plenty of room for imagination.
You once stated that a balance is achieved when opposites attract like Yin & Yang. Well, you have succeeded with this fragrance! Such a balancing act, Monsieur, no one can match you so quickly!
La paix soit sur eux, Monsieur Duchaufour!
Metalfan!
Top Notes 
Angelica seed
Oregano
Rhubarb
Bergamot
Mandarin orange
Green pomegranate
Heart Notes 
Leather
Hawthorn
Juniper
Fern
Gooseberry
Orris concrete
Base Notes 
Castoreum
Cistus absolute
Cypriol
Mahogany
Musk
Oakmoss
Patchouli
Styrax
Tobacco
Ambergris
Yatagan
Chizza
Achilles
Rieke2021
Jumi
Ergoproxy
ErhanSaceros
ClemensJ
Anarlan
DaveGahan101
