Part VII

A special issue of Musick Magazine dedicated exclusively to the Polish scene only proves that there is a lot going on here. And although I try to keep up with the latest releases that are being spit out practically every day, it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep my finger on the pulse. Therefore, forgive me for often omitting really good materials, or reaching them with a delay. Therefore, I have a request to you, to the bands themselves, to the labels, to the promoters – let me know about your moves, about new releases, and I promise that if I have enough time in the day, I will try to look into every submitted material. My e-mail contact is: levi@neolith.pl And now I invite you to the latest review of what has been thundering in the domestic underground recently.

Levi

DRUNK THRASHER - Posercorpses - Independent

The new EP of this one-man project brings us 4 short but condensed shots of old-school thrash in a Germanic style. You can hear a lot of inspiration from early Sodom, but in 'Dental Incident', for example, the guitars grind in a way that makes me think of Vader's brilliant "Necrolust". Instigator, who is behind this project, may not have discovered America, but he knows perfectly well how to roll out pure and uncompromising thrash, or rather, how it was played about four decades ago. As for me, I can listen to it non-stop. Oh, and as a chronicler, I will mention that the lyrics to the track 'An Orgy Of Flames And Pain' were written by Cazz Grant, who is well-known in some circles. Posercorpses is the perfect title for this release, and maniacs of this type of playing simply have to have it.

BEZKRES - Wściekłość Pierwotnej Natury - Independent

The debut demo of this duo from Zielona Góra is just two numbers with a total time of 8 minutes. On the one hand, it is too little to honestly assess the value of the band, but enough to say that they are doing quite well in the black metal style. The sound is surprisingly clear and quite good for this genre. They are rather heading in a more traditional direction of the domestic black scene, because I sense some inspiration here from old Furia, Arkona, or Morsun Diaboli. It is really good and I am waiting for something longer, so that gentlemen, Tytan and Aroslav can show a broader perspective of their work.

TRUPI SWĄD - Triumf Zła i Ciemności - Putrid Cult

This creation is probably already quite well known in our underground black/thrash/speed scene. Three original tracks, among them one instrumental 'Rytuał' acting as an intro, take us to the 80s, where in Poland, apart from bands from the Metal Mind stable, there were such hordes as Exorcist, Thrasher Death and several other unforgettable ones, which were strongly inspired by dark and brutal thrash. On top of that, a certain Nikki Speed, who stands behind this project, serves us his own version of Kat's classic in the form of 'Morderca', and you should already have a rough idea of ​​what Trupi Swąd represents. If I add to this that the sound of this material is dirty and sloppy as hell, but it's all according to the standards set by devil's metal, then we have clarity.

FANTOM - Regime Of Chaos - Independent

The debut EP of the quartet from Toruń invites us on a journey into the thrash metal style. 5 tracks of very interesting, lively, but above all, pure thrash playing. Testosterone is in the air, and the gentlemen from Fantom are pounding it in nicely. You can hear that they can play and, most importantly, they have a lot of interesting ideas, such as the use of the saxophone or various non-obvious inserts and licks in 'McFantom'. It's really great to listen to it, and I'll be honest, I wish many more well-known and recognized thrashers had such a form. So I advise you to pay attention to this name. Something will come out of it.

SZCZERZYCA - Grozłak - Independent

The duet Szczerzyca from Radomsko was formed in 2023 and consists of Furija and Shiru. The debut material entitled Grozłak contains 4 songs that are closest to black metal, but there are also elements of electronica, industrial, and a few other musical genres. For me, it is a bit inconsistent in terms of atmosphere, and above all, the compositions themselves. There is too much randomness here, and for black metal, there is too much melody and some kind of positive vibe. As usual, in my case, the drum machine is a bit jarring, but that's a small detail. In general, you can hear that they want to do it and they really care about combining, on the one hand, more raw and brutal black metal, with the definitely more gentle climates known from the current face of Samael and even Pain. And, like in the song 'W Głębi Serca', something in the style of atmospheric metal from the mid-90s. It sounds a bit grotesque and funny, but I know that in our country, there is a large group of listeners of this type of music, and maybe Szczerzyca will be something they'll dig.

ZDRADA ISKARIOTA - Upadły Tryumfator - Virulent Rec.

Now I invite you to Kraków, where a quintet called Zdrada Iskariota operates. Their debut EP brings us over 23 minutes of traditional black metal in the atmosphere of the 90s. However, I would like to distinguish two issues in their music - when they play with traditional metal instruments, you can smell the sulfur, see the devil, and hear thoroughly traditional black metal thrashing. It gets worse when the keyboards enter, because then we have a large accumulation of pathos and unleavened melodies, which slightly spoil the ominous mood built with painstaking effort. Fortunately, there are not so many of these keyboards on this material as to spoil the overall good impression left by the 5 tracks and the intro and outro that create this material.

MOONTHOTH - Czarnonoc - Independent

Moonthoth is a creation from Poznań that has been around for 25 years. From the very beginning, its spiritus movens has been Nocturnal, who handles all instruments, vocals and is responsible for the lyrics. The latest material, entitled Czarnonoc in its basic version, lasts just over 20 minutes of broadly understood black metal. I have marked in the basic version, because the material also contains two bonuses: a new version of the song 'Diaboł' from the project's first demo (titled Diabolos) and a really interesting cover version of Lux Occulta 'Nocturnal Dithyramb', from -in many circles considered "cult"- second album of this Dukla band. As I mentioned, Moonthoth moves in the areas of broadly understood black metal. Sometimes it is very brutal, and other times Nocturnal lets more atmosphere into their work, mainly due to the keyboards, but not only. You can hear that he's quite good at various types of guitar licks. In fact, the aforementioned Lux ​​Occulta on the one hand misleads the listener a bit as to Moonthoth's original music, but on the other hand, not entirely. I certainly do not consider the time spent with Czarnonoc as wasted.

MIRZAM ANTIDOTUM OV MARAZM - …There Is No Emptiness… - Via Nocturna

Very nice! Getting such a nice ear beating over here!! The guys from Białystok did a really solid job on their debut album and created a very brutal album, which on the one hand refers to the work of Marduk, Mayhem, the old Dark Funeral, and on the other has some homegrown chants (the song 'Czas', 'Mirzam' and others), or more death metal patents. Generally, lots of dead bodies and blood spurting everywhere, but in the few slowdowns, there are more atmospheric and melodic moments ('Magnetar'). It is clear that the guys from Mirzam Antidotum Ov Marazm, based on the classic black/death metal, have the idea to add a few of their patents to it and make what they play more original. I believe that this is just the beginning of the road. Although I wonder if they took into account the consternation of the audience chanting their name at concerts when choosing such a name? It won't be easy 😉

VOMITVSANCTVS - Secretion Of Contempt - Via Nocturna

Ełk has not been a very recognizable place on the Polish map of metal so far. I don't think that will change much thanks to the formation Vomitvsanctvs, which has just released its debut album. The music played by this trio is a mixture of several metal genres from death/thrash metal through metalcore to groove metal. You can hear a bit of brutal playing, a bit of swinging in the style of old Sepultura, Cavalera Conspiracy, as for me, it reminds me a bit of the native and unforgettable Rotting Head. Despite the fact that it is not my favorite type of music, as far as my taste is concerned, I listened to Secretion Of Contempt without really biting my lip and gnashing my teeth. Not a bad stuff.

DIVING STOVE - Atavism - Independent

It makes my heart happy that there are more and more bands on our scene whose work is characterized by total ease, feeling, and sincerity of playing. Because you can hear it. It is no different in the case of the debut album Diving Stove from our capital. The core of the music of the quartet from Warsaw is broadly understood thrash metal, but every now and then there are references to other related metal genres or even 4AD climates (like in the song 'Winter/Our Lake', at times strongly reminiscent of The Cure). There is a bit of playing in an American mode, i.e., Metallica (listen to 'The Room', for example), Overkill, Annihilator, Sacred Reich, a bit of island climates in the style of Xentrix, and a lot of classic heavy metal. On Atavism, there are many great riffs, very stylish solos, and above all, a sensational vocal, which dominates the whole and makes the whole thing a real pleasure to listen to. I'm glad we have another band that is absolutely on par with the best in the genre.

LEPROZORIUM - Skaza Ludzkości - Arcadian Industry

Another debut. This time from Wrocław. It sounds pretty good and it speaks out, but you can hear a bit that it lacks the final touch. There are blast beats, slowdowns, and it rocks and crushes quite well. Everything according to the proven and best death/thrash metal patterns from both Poland and abroad. A bit of Sepultura here, a bit of Betrayer ('Otchłań Mózgu'), Lastwar, Sparagmos - here I see some references to the old, domestic death/thrash scene. In a sense, I hear an expansion of the formula and supplementation with blast beats and even more of sonic beating. Although to tell you the truth, I'm more interested in the atmosphere and sentiments, because musically, and especially in terms of arrangements, it's definitely different.

MENTAL FUNERAL - Demo MMXXIV - Independent

Ugh! I'll be honest, for me, this band and this demo are 'THE' discovery of the last few months, and maybe even years, when it comes to our scene. The Poznań guys jumped out of nowhere and hit us with a hook right in the jaw that's beyond belief. This crushing piece of death/doom metal rolls through every second of these three songs is, on the one hand, made according to strictly defined patents and procedures related to it, but the gentlemen from Mental Funeral managed to achieve such an effect, both in sound and composition, that I really have no questions. I think it will be the greatest compliment for the guys and the greatest praise for what they managed to create, that this demo sounds like it was recorded at the turn of the 80s/90s of the last century and could be a model for subsequent bands, wanting to crush and quarter their potential recipient. I'm not exaggerating. Listening to these 3 tracks, I genuinely get goosebumps and feel almost like during the first listening to Disembowelment or Winter. And the name didn't come from nowhere. You can fucking smell Autopsy! A hundred-ton roller right here!!. I believe that this is just the beginning and they will soon stoke the fire!

GOTAR - Lepsza Byłaby Śmierć - Independent

The second full-length of Rybnik thrashers is over half an hour of thrash pounding with death metal growl at a really good level. Cool juicy sound, good riffs with the mark of Slayer, Sepultura, Testament, good craftsmanship, what more could you want? Nothing more but… for me, the vocals are a bit irritating - too monotonous and not really fitting for this music. Here, one would beg for a vocalist with a strong thrash vocal with hoarseness, more melodic and dynamic. I'm not saying that this one is bad, because both the arrangements and the technique itself are ok, but sometimes I just see it differently. Musically, I have no reservations; there is adrenaline, dynamics, aggression, the songs rock like hell, and on top of that, the guys from Gotar managed to capture a cool groove and feeling. Bravo.

Thanks for checking this one out. Find more bands and metal in the previous editions of South Of Heaven.
Part I
Part II
Part III
Part IV
Part V
Part VI

Part VI

Hello again after a not-so-short, unintentional break. The reason was simply the spitefulness of dead things and let's leave it at that. But we're back, and back with an extended version because why not? Things are happening on the Polish scene, oh yes, things are happening. More and more materials and they're better and more interesting. And although there may be no materials on the scale of "Devilri", "Necronomical Exmortis", or "Morbid Reich", let's remember that the days of the scene's creation are gone forever. On the other hand, we are pleased with both the level and approach of young, new bands to both playing and their skills. Fortunately, these days there is no shortage of good equipment and, possibilities of recording and releasing materials. In fact, most of the materials released today are fully professional releases. And that's definitely something to be happy about. If only in the flood of bands and labels, it would be possible to reach a potential recipient… After this short introduction, I invite you to the latest report from the Polish scene.

Levi

ETHELYN - Anhedonic - Putrid Cult

How time flies – before we knew it, I was handed a new, fifth album by Ethelyn from Opoczno. And I have to admit that I'm seriously impressed by the path and progress this band has made in recent years. Anhedonic is definitely the best material in the band's history. And there would be nothing strange about it if the band hadn't recorded the most aggressive and extreme material. And here you can easily stumble. No big deal, Ethelyn has shifted the center of gravity even further towards black metal, although here and there you can still find traces of death metal. But it's more about the heavyness and extreme tempos. The band has managed to develop its own, characteristic style of writing songs, which doesn't rely on the cliché: verse, chorus, solo, verse, chorus. There are no longer such clear references to the work of Marduk, Dark Funeral, or Immortal, which is very pleasing. It's great that the guys have found their path and you can hear that they feel great on it.

DOMINANCE - In Ghoulish Cold - Putrid Cult

Szczecin's Dominance is clearly following the blow! Not everyone recovered still from the great debut album, and the band is attacking again with a 3-track EP and, most importantly, maintains the level, the tempo, maybe even increasing it! Although the riff opening 'Corpse Rape' reminded me for a moment of 'Decade Of Therion', you know who, then a moment later sobering up shot in the face came - a total black metal storm that blows away everything that appears in its path. The next track, the title 'In Ghoulish Cold', and again a storm and atmosphere like from the best times of Mayhem, only, even more, turned up, mother fucking and merciless. And so Dominance has grown into another great and very conscious band, which few people on the domestic scene and in their niche will be able to match. And I am also convinced that if they attack the West, heads will roll there too.

NECROMOON - War with Tyranny - Putrid Cult

Another find of Morgul from Putrid Cult. I honestly admit that I did not expect this. Necromoon recorded an album that could easily be released with the Beherit logo, especially from the "Drawing Down The Moon" period. And there is no exaggeration in this because Necromoon managed to create a total sound that takes us back to those times with all the titbits, dirt, dripping darkness, and mystery. The basis of the album is eight tracks, as I have already mentioned, kept in the spirit of old, filthy black metal from the early 90s, rather short, not exceeding 4 minutes. To finish, the band prepared a monster of over 14 minutes, 'A Transcendental Journey To An Unknown Dimension', which is a perfect ending to the album. Slightly different in structure and atmosphere, trance-like, addictive, perfectly emphasizing the potential of Necromoon and I honestly admit that I wonder if this isn't a conscious gate opened by the band leading to another material. We'll see. War With Tyranny is permeated with ancient Evil, old, and extremely raw black metal and I have to tell you that with each listen this album is more and more addictive. Excellent.

LILLA VENEDA - Primordial Movements - Independent

Already the third album of this Wrocław band. Probably the most mature and thoughtful, although I honestly have to admit that I don't really like this type of playing. There's too much pathos and theatricality in it, but the name of the band also obliges to something. Besides, I guess that the whole concept of the band, the album is very important to them. And I can definitely appreciate that. However, if you like the newer version of Behemoth, Fleshgod Apocalypse or Septic Flesh, then I think you can safely reach for Primordial Movements. Lilla Venada AD 2024 is a band that is fully conscious, very efficient compositionally and musically with an interesting idea for themselves.

WINGLESS - Ascension - Selfmadegod Records

This is probably the 5th album of this Krakow band, which consists of musicians known for playing in bands such as Redemptor, Forgotten Souls, and Lacrima. And in fact, the music on Ascension is a bit of a combination of what they do in other bands. There is a bit of death metal, but the emphasis is definitely on the heaviness and atmosphere, in short, doom metal. At times it reminds me of the structure and atmosphere of My Dying Bride (those harmonics, vocals), but the whole thing is played a bit faster, without the hopelessness and depression that emanates from the work of more famous Englishmen. It is such a loose association that absolutely does not affect the reception of the entire Ascension. You can hear great attention to compositional details, the structure of the songs and sound, and for that they deserve applause. It is also great that the album lasts about 40 minutes, so it does not have time to bore the listener which is common with album lengths in this genre.

AGONIA - Ogień Sięgnie Nieba - Moon Rec.

The debut material of the Pomeranian Agonia is an intro and 3 tracks of pagan metal. It rocks nicely, and the spirit and atmosphere of Quorthon floats around. The sparse and rather raw sound further emphasizes the atmosphere and inspiration. And while the opening 'Dom' is a substitute for what the band is capable of, the following, 'Ogień Sięgnie Nieba' leaves no doubt how important the band Bathory was to them. The vocalist has quite a nice tone and abilities, thanks to which it was possible to achieve considerable diversity and attractiveness of the songs. Cool, I'll be following.

EVERYTHING IS FIRE - Everything Is Fire - Defense Rec.

We remain in Pomerania, but we move to Wejherowo, Everything Is Fire has just released their debut material. Only 4 songs, less than fifteen minutes, but I assure you that I haven't heard such a storm from the Baltic Sea in a long time. From the very beginning to the very end, a death metal storm, whose destructive power equals the destroyers from Nile, Cryptopsy, and Suffocation. Really very good, very technically efficient, and thoroughly brutal death metal, which will definitely appeal to those who like this type of sonic massacre.

CHARNEL AURA - Our Banners Glowas Dermis - Teeth & Torches Rec.

Behind the Charnel Aura project, we have people known for playing in: Rites Of Daath, Loathfinder, Totenmesse, and Throat, although it is actually a duo, both Mold and Aphotic Vorago are very busy and extremely prolific artists. Our Banners… are 6 short songs lasting about 15 minutes together, filthy and primitive black metal in which the rawness and primitivism of Hellhammer, and Beherit are mixed with outbursts of rage from Archgoat. It rides beautifully and cuts the ears and I think that this is definitely for those who do not look for fireworks and pseudo-symphony in black metal, but for an authentic gust of Evil - and in this case - the icy sea.

OBSIDIAN MANTRA - As We All Will - Via Nocturna

This is the third album by this trio from Greater Poland. And you can hear it very clearly. You can hear that this is a band that is fully aware, confident in its abilities, and is going after what's theirs. And this is where things can get tricky… because there is plenty of competition in the field of brutal, technical death metal. And despite the fact that the musicians from Obsidian Mantra created an album that is not a single step behind the latest albums by Hate, Aborted, or Decapitated, they are doomed to fail when faced with reality. But maybe I am wrong and thanks to this album something will happen and the band will sail into open waters, which I wish them with all my heart. They definitely deserve it. I really like the atmosphere, spaceness of this album, and in a sense the considerable diversity, which, although based on proven patents, is presented in a very fresh and interesting way. In addition to the prescribed blast beats, there are many tempo changes, slowdowns, dissonances, as well as a black metal vibe. The sound is also very good. Well, let me tell you, this is a really good album.

ACTUM INFERNI / GNIEW - Antidotum Na Życie - Basement Murder

Split of two bands from Olsztyn, whose heart and soul is Draconis. He plays all the instruments and does vocals and does it quite well. And although I am not a big fan of one-man bands, sometimes I reach for something like that. And since Draconis is an experienced person when it comes to music, contact with his work is much more pleasant than with debutants, who often take an instrument in their hands for the first time and think they will conquer the world. Both bands are black metal, maybe not very original, but very skillfully played and arranged. To tell you the truth, both tracks on the split could be released as an EP by one of the bands and I think no one would have any complaints about that. The track 'W Cieniu Ramion Krucyfiksu', which is the part presenting Actum Inferni, lasts over 11 minutes and the first thing that strikes the ears after listening to it are really cool, almost heavy metal solos. The number 'Pod Batutą śmierci (Klątwa Diabelskiego Maszkarona)' presents Gniew and it is also a long, over 9-minute piece, in which medium tempo dominates, but there's also no shortage of slowdowns and faster fragments. There are also solos and they are quite very interesting.

GRAVE INFILTRATION - Grave Infiltration - Independent

I really don't know anything about this band, except that they come from Łódź and have just released a two-track EP. They last a little over 5 minutes in total and combine war metal thuds with industrial flair. Really twisted noise, but it intrigued me enough to decide to write a few sentences about it. I'll be honest, I'd love to hear more and in slightly better quality. Although I won't deny that the sound fits the whole thing perfectly and I'll really be watching them.

DARKEION - Stigmata Mortis - Independent

Darkeion comes from Wrocław and is led by Vidar, who created the Siege Of Power zine in the late 80s. This time he took on creating sounds and he does it well, although for me the whole thing is too chaotic, slightly clumsy, and naive. First of all, the songs are too long and lack good, massive riffs, which are essential in death metal. In fact, you can feel the spirit of old bands, the old underground, but those times are long gone and to tell the truth, I don't know if there is still room for such creations in today's death metal crowd. Probably yes, but in this case, I don't find reasons to get excited about Stigmata Mortis, and it's been known for a long time that I'm a maniac of old music.

प्रलय (Prayala) - Fallen Temples / Satanic Violence - Fallen Temple

Okay, I consulted the source and to spare you from deciphering and reading the band's name, let's assume the name Pralaya is correct and appropriate. The name means the cyclical destruction of the entire universe and refers directly to Hinduism. And it's a bull's eye because musically, lyrically, and visually it's total savagery and conflagration. Two materials of this barbaric project were released practically simultaneously, led by two guys from quite well-known bands, also involved in musical extremes under the banner of war, death, or black metal. Whatever you call it, both tapes consist of 3 numbers of sonic, metal destruction. In our country, Temple Desecration and Upon The Altar operate quite close to and in similar areas, and from abroad Altarage or Tetragammacide, but I think Pralaya is an even more extreme, bestial and disgusting creation. Their music can be really dangerous and don't let anyone tell me later that I didn't warn you.

WIECZNY MRÓZ - Litość - Independent

The title track, which opens this two-track material, begins with a cool Morbid riff and I will honestly say that after this beginning my curiosity reached its peak. Later, the tension died down a bit, but not enough to not devote a few listens to the band. And I will tell you that there is potential. First of all, you can hear the joy and sincerity of the playing. Their death/thrash refers to proven patterns, but you can hear that there is power in this playing. The material was recorded with a 'one take' method and you can hear it at times, especially when the solo is played, the power evaporates a bit and there is no second guitar. However, I hear that the trio from Łódź really has great ambitions and a desire to develop, as well as a passion for sometimes more progressive and technical playing, so I conclude that they are still at the stage of finding their own path. Like most young bands. But this is also the quintessence of the underground scene.

ESCALATION - Ruins Of The Falling World - Via Nocturna

Escalation is a fairly new band from Silesia, specifically from Dąbrowa Górnicza, which released its debut album in June of last year. When I received promotional materials and read the info from the publisher, I got a little excited, because it said that the band refers to the work of Morbid Angel and Vader. However, when I first came into contact with the band's music, I was very disappointed, because I didn't notice almost any similarities with the aforementioned bands. Death metal created by Escalation is definitely intended for fans of the more modern version of this genre, with an emphasis on deathcore or groove metal with a lot of melodies, swinging, and such. However, in 'No Turning Back', I heard some elements that reminded me of the new Carcass albums. Just a loose association. Generally, you can hear that the guys put a lot of effort into creating and recording this album (cool, meaty sound), but it's not really my cup of tea.

ASHUR - Assurbanipal - Independent

The debut album of this Łódź ensemble, which includes musicians associated with Funeral Cult and Tenebris. Interesting combination, eh? It's even more interesting on Assurbanipal, because the band perfectly managed to smuggle the atmosphere of ancient Sumer, Assyria, Mesopotamia and enclose it in 6 songs, lasting almost 36 minutes. I think that fans of playing in the style of Nocturnus, After Death will be very pleased. I won't hide that for me (for obvious reasons) this is a topic close to my heart and I will wholeheartedly support the guys and I will be very happy to see them on stage (and best of all, if we meet there together!). Especially since the album is fucking awesome in every respect - sound-wise, composition-wise, instrumentally. Cosmic Ancient Death Metal has arrived in Polish homes! And with full force!

THY KILLING HAND - Scarlet Ceremonies: Demo I // Ixaxar: Demo II - Under The Sign Of Garazel Prod.

After nearly 10 years of playing and releasing smaller materials, Płock's Parh finally debuted with a full album. Apparently they needed so much time to get to know each other and develop their own formula for killing with sound. And I must admit that I understand such debuts - we immediately have a full-fledged, high-octane punch that really makes an impression. There are no random sounds, although the music is definitely not simple in reception. Supposedly it's a raw, dirty death metal, with elements of doom, sludge, stoner and a few other subgenres of metal, punk and the devil knows what else. Everything was served dirty and disgusting. I wrote about them in this column several times and I always mentioned that I sensed a strange smell of Autopsy, some Swedish death metal and a few other artists. And on the debut it hasn't changed, except for the proportions, because there is definitely more of Parh's style of playing and less of the ones I mentioned. And so, before our eyes, another domestic monster has matured, one that can confidently compete with foreign competitors. It's a bit like handball in Płock…

Thanks for checking this one out. Find more bands and metal in the previous editions of South Of Heaven.
Part I
Part II
Part III
Part IV
Part V