Review by Alex on December 6, 2020.

Always a roadblock, a hurdle in front of me preventing the praise of this debut full length album from Truchło Strzygi, a band that I've continuously kept up to date with in terms of their music and never once I've been let down since first encountering them via Godz Ov War Productions. Their methodology is brilliant the way they go about it. Truchło Strzygi takes thrash metal, punk and black metal and vacuum them into this thick Polish muck. Their 2018 album Pora Umierać is a fucking assault of thrashing punky blackness. Barefisted, broken-bottled, spiked, drunken metal madness from Poland; Pora Umierać is no joke, neither is Truchło Strzygi given they were able to secure a split with the legendary Sabbat (Japan).

Pora Umierać is an awesome album that continues to impress 2 years after its release; hence, it should be said that not many debuts can do that specifically within the thrash metal sub genre. By mentioning 'modern thrash', the first thing most think of is boredom and that's to be understood given its fairly simplistic formula. But when you add black metal and punk to it, a whole new equation is awoken. And by adding an apocalyptic overcast to the tunes on the record, despair, dread and outlandish excitement strengthen the backbone of the stellar musicianship already being exhibited by Truchło Strzygi.

Pora Umierać lasts 40 minutes and that alone for a black/thrash metal album is pushing-it provided that so many bands can barely manage to sustain the attention of any given listener for 20 minutes tops. Anything beyond is usually bundled or characterized as filler. However, Truchło Strzygi take advantage of the genres they have at their disposal (thrash/punk/black metal) and transition the listener effortlessly from song to song. The shouted vocals keep you awake throughout the entirety of the songs and the guitaring rains down on you with absolutely mean fucking renegade style riffs. Take that and add it to the meaty drums and what you get is consistent knuckle punches to the face that'll leave you smiling long after.

Opening with 'Apokaliptyczny Młot (Obliteracja Poprzez Życie)' following the amusing attempt at actually singing, Truchło Strzygi jumps straight into thrashing black metal territory with smooth transitions into punk. This track alone could be the best on an album already oozing musical ecstasy. 'Sadystyczny Masowy Mord' and 'Tu Gdzie Czarna Zorza Płonie' then emerge so fluently as though attached to the opening track. I guess you could say that's one of Truchło Strzygi's strengths on Pora Umierać; their devout attention to song-flow and seamless movements in and around the 3 subgenres they utilize makes each song a more than welcome listening session.

The middle section is just as strong or in some cases (depending on your preference) stronger than the first few songs. Particularly 'Śmierć i Płomień' and 'Busola Do Nikąd' which really help in solidifying the record. In a way they provide clean segway towards the final tracks on Pora Umierać but also flaunt boastingly and confidently as they play a bit with the melodies and pacing on both. Demonstrating to the listener that they possess a lot more than the average musicians as far as song structure goes. But for me 'Jestem (Żyję, Gniję, Umieram)' would have to be the best track on the record despite being so difficult to select amongst such well written and assembled songs. 'Jestem (Żyję, Gniję, Umieram)' sounds like it could have been placed on their EP following Pora Umierać. Sounds more catchy all the while more devastating and furious than its predecessors plus its acts as a supporting closing with 'Stary Kult Śmierci (Ozłocone Truchło)' putting the final touches on the record.

If you don't have Pora Umierać already then I urge you to get it. I believe Godz ov War still has some vinyl copies and CDs available. Easily the best black/thrash/punk metal album you would have heard in 2018.

Rating: 8.7 out of 10