Vader: Dark Age (2017)

Sticking with bands from Poland, here we have Vader, who is one of the most famous Polish metal bands.  Likely just second to Behemoth at this point and that is due more to Behemoth's recent opening slot on Slipknot's Knotfest tour.  But enough about Behemoth, let's talking about Vader.

To begin with, it is a little difficult to think of too much to say about Vader that has not been said thousands of times before.  Vader is one of the most consistently excellent bands in metal.  They have never put out a bad song, much less a bad album.  And they remain steadfastly committed to the sound that they developed way back in the late 1980's.  This album is their most recent release and it sounds so much like their first album.  But there is a reason for that.

So why is that?  Well, because Dark Age is essentially a re-recording of the band's first album The Ultimate Incantation.  Even the album artwork is the same.  I am not sure why the band bothered to change the album title, except maybe to make it seem like a brand new album.  Usually I do not care much for this kind of cash grab, except it is not like this particular band is mainstream enough to take much advantage of a cash grab, so this seems kind of non-sensical.  The songs were also re-recorded at completely different points in time, so again, this is just kind of bizarre.

Now, I am not complaining that much about this.  I do not own Vader's first album, so this is a good way to hear all of the songs.  And quite frankly, the album is fucking awesome.  It is clear that Vader's foundation was in thrash metal branching out into death metal.  The riffs are punishingly heavy and intense.  The songs are short, but immensely powerful.  And Piotr's vocals are top-notch growls.  There is a reason Vader is as renowned as they are in underground circles.

So, while this is kind of a pointless release, it comes across well enough that it does not really matter.  Vader rules and that is all anyone really needs to know.

One and Done? Pt. 14: Батюшка

Because I do not feel like copy and pasting the band's name again, I am going to refer to them translated from this point on.  This is Litourgiya by the Polish band Batushka.  Now, let's get started.

Man, the Polish black metal scene is absolutely on fire.  Mgła, Behemoth and Forest Whispers have all put out terrific albums recently.  Add Batushka to that list.  Unfortunately this will be the band's only album.  There were only two permanent members of the band and now there has been a split with both members claiming they kicked the other out of the band and then formed a new one.  Both bands are trying to claim the name, though they are now different groups and each are releasing their own music.  Maybe this is too early to tell, but maybe not.

Batushka made big waves in the extreme metal world with this release that combines traditional black metal with doom metal and drapes everything with an incredibly sinister atmosphere via the usage of Christian church ritual elements.  They use Orthodox chanted vocals, chimes, bells and more to create the feel of attending a church service, even if the underlying music is malevolent and dark.  It is an absolutely intriguing and spell-binding release that haunts the listener long after the album is done.

Even without the added touches, the music of Batushka is powerful enough on its own.  It is dark and atmospheric black metal that occasionally drags and oozes, combining a funereal tone with the blackened riffs.  Every once in awhile, a guitar solo shines through like a beam of light in the darkness.  The primary vocals are delivered in a harsh shriek, typical of the style.

It will be interesting to see what comes of the split of the two primary members of Batushka.  Some people have picked their sides already and each band has already released something.  I have yet to pick either one up, but I am anxious to hear what each one has to offer.  This album is incredible.