Part VIII

South of Heaven is a column where we delve deep—literally and figuratively. We're not interested in the stage lights, colorful videos, or media coverage. We seek out what's born in basements, garages, and dingy rehearsal rooms. Where humidity, sweat, and passion mingle with the weight of riffs, where ambition trumps budget, and sincerity triumphs over trends. It's in these places that the spirit of true extreme metal smoulders—untamed, unruly, and full of hunger. In this column, we examine the Polish underground, focusing on bands that aren't among the country's top... yet. Some are just taking their first steps, others have been around for years but are still waiting for their moment. For some, it's a path to a larger scene, for others, a conscious choice to live outside the mainstream. Regardless of intentions, it's these projects that build the foundation of the national scene. Often more brutally, more interestingly, and with greater fire than the "established players." South of Heaven is also an open door. If you create extreme music, have a demo, EP, debut album, split, or other material you'd like us to hear – get in touch. Write to: levi@neolith.pl. We don't promise a commendation – but we do promise an honest ear, a reliable review, and a place among those fighting for their identity through sound. The underground never dies – it just rarely surfaces. That's where we delve.

Levi

OBŁAWA - Zmora - Putrid Cult

"Zmora", Obława's debut album released by Putrid Cult, is a solid piece of pagan/black metal in a classic, conventional style. Seven tracks (including the intro and outro) create a cohesive, coherent whole – without experimentation, but also without any major stumbles. The material doesn't attempt to be groundbreaking, instead relying on tried-and-true methods: cold riffs, a tight tempo, and an atmosphere that perfectly captures the spirit of the titular "zmora" – a suffocating, primal force. The lyrics, written in Polish, are a strong asset – shouted with fire, understandable, and embedded in a pagan-forest atmosphere. In a live setting, they can make a truly impressive impression, giving the music additional power and a local character. The production is raw but clear – appropriate for the genre. While "Zmora" isn't particularly original, it's a pleasure to listen to, especially if you appreciate pagan/black metal rooted in tradition rather than modern influences. A solid debut with the potential for more.

THE RELICTS / GRÓB - Groźby Karalne / Żelazna Kurtyna - Putrid Cult

The Relicts / Grób split delivers eight punches between the eyes – four from each band, culminating in covers that perfectly capture the spirit of the entire material. The Relicts take on Rose Tattoo's 'Nice Boys', while Grób responds with Death Strike's 'Mangled Dehumanization'. And that's saying something – there's no room for subtlety here; instead, there's energy, grime, and a riotous audacity. Both bands play as if they've just emerged from a basement where they spent the entire winter fermenting in the fumes of death, thrash, black metal, and speed metal with a heavy dose of punk filth. The Relicts focus on wild thrash with a distinct rock 'n' roll pulse, while Grób blasts filthy death/thrash with a black metal edge and a roguish character. Both sides of the split are united by a common energy: raw, unpretentious, full of filth, and screaming. The production is deliberately uncouth, which only adds to the authenticity – this isn't for fans of pure sounds and the genre's orthodox order. "Groźby Karalne / Żelazna Kurtyna" is a material for those who appreciate honest, unhygienic music, scorched by the spirit of the underground. A pure joy of noise – uncalculated, with a powerful kick.

GRIMGRAVE - Caves & Woods - Ancient Sounds Of Madness Prod.

"Caves & Woods" is the debut album from the one-man project Grimgrave, led by Kyrie, known from Dekadens. Six tracks, just over 30 minutes of music, instantly transport the listener to the Greek black metal scene of the 1990s. A grimy, underground sound, a hint of mythological darkness, and a generous amount of melody – all of this pays homage to bands like Varathron, Necromantia, and early Rotting Christ. The artist doesn't try to be original, but he doesn't have to. Grimgrave knows what he wants and does it with sensitivity. Black metal, laced with atmosphere and simple yet compelling melodies, works well in this raw, basement setting. The production is somewhat rough, but clear, adding character and authenticity to the whole. Kyrie doesn't try to keep up with the contemporary scene – instead, he consistently immerses himself in the spirit of the past. "Caves & Woods" is a successful, if rather niche, debut. Without any grand ambitions, but with a clear passion and a keen eye for aesthetics, this band will undoubtedly provide plenty of satisfaction for fans of the Greek school of black metal – others might miss it in the rush of new releases on the scene today. Grimgrave remains in the shadows, but does so with class.

ASHUR - Puzur - Independent

The second album from Łódź-based Ashur is a true step forward and an extension of their debut. "Pazur" isn't just a collection of songs—it's a monumental narrative, in which each of the eight compositions serves as a gateway to a world from thousands of years ago. With precision and technical prowess, the band crafts a vision of music oscillating between the brutality of death metal and the conceptual breadth of progression. It's a proposition for fans of Nocturnus and Theory In Practice, but also for anyone seeking more than standard metal structures. Ashur emphasizes complex arrangements and atmospheric solutions—rich harmonies, shifting tempos, and riffs reminiscent of the monumental walls of ancient cities. This music not only attacks with intensity but also opens a space for reflection on ancient civilizations and their mythology. "Puzur" strikes like a ritual hymn—raw, yet filled with mysticism. The album proves that Ashur is a band unafraid of ambition and consistently crafts its own artistic language. "Puzur" is a journey into the depths of ancient tales—intense, demanding, and rewarding.

MORVUDD - Demo - Independent

In their first three-song demo, Bydgoszcz quartet Morvudd offers just over sixteen minutes of music that interestingly balances classic black metal with its more modern, post-black metal facet. Instead of dirty, primitive aggression, we get sounds based on simple, trance-like structures that unfold at slow, measured tempos. This approach clearly differs from the genre's traditional patterns – instead of an impenetrable wall of noise, space and atmosphere dominate, in which melody plays a key role. Morvudd emphasizes repetitive riffs that don't tire, but draw the listener into a hypnotic ritual. Individual motifs develop gradually, gaining intensity like the echoes of distant songs. In the background, the spirit of post-black metal resonates – more reflective and melancholic than aggressive or nihilistic. This material doesn't strive for extremes, but instead seeks strength in the atmosphere and cohesion of the compositions. Although this is only the first demo, it reveals a conscious vision and a vision for their own identity. Morvudd doesn't attempt to replicate classics, but rather carves out a space in which black metal gains a fresh, more accessible dimension. This is a proposition for those who appreciate a new facet of the genre, where trance, melancholy, and subtle melodicism meet on equal footing. A harbinger of a truly compelling project.

MROME - Boneyard Twist - Independent

Mrome returns with another album and hits the nail on the head – Boneyard Twist comprises nine tracks woven with the rawness and darkness that permeate the first wave of black metal. Clear echoes of Venom, Hellhammer, Celtic Frost, and early Darkthrone can be heard here, but not as empty carbon copies, but as a conscious reference to the foundations on which the extreme scene rests. Dirty riffs, an obscure sound, and the heaviness of riffs recorded live in the studio give this material an authenticity that can't be faked. Mrome is a studio project, and it's clear that this formula is their strength – the band focuses on the creative process, on the idea, not on promotion or stage image. Their own words – "we reap the harvest on scorched earth" – best capture the character of Boneyard Twist: there's no room for politeness or calculation here. Instead, we get an album that sounds like a grim manifesto against today's polished standards. The lyrics complete the picture – these are tales of cemetery dwellers, necromancy, physical and mental disabilities, with history and the grotesque as a backdrop. This dark gallery even features exploding monks, perfectly demonstrating Mrome's ability to combine horror with dark humor. Boneyard Twist is an album that doesn't try to please anyone. It's unfriendly, dirty, and anti-aesthetic – exactly what music inspired by the spirit of the 80s and 90s should be. This is an album for those who still appreciate an atmosphere of primitive, sinister energy. A brilliant, consistent return to the roots.

CURSED DARKNESS - Monoliths Of Eternal Night - Independent

The debut album from Skierniewice's Cursed Darkness, Monoliths Of Eternal Night, is half an hour of extreme music, in which black and death metal intertwine into a surprisingly cohesive whole. The band has been around for only a year, and they've already produced eight tracks that—though brimming with youthful energy—demonstrate clear potential and a desire to forge their own identity within the Polish extreme metal scene. The faster tracks reveal influences from Marduk and Dark Funeral—blastbeat madness, ripped riffs, and a cold, aggressive atmosphere with a slightly punk edge and simplicity. The slower sections are dominated by the heaviness and melancholy typical of black metal, while the arrangements remain clear and distinct. Although the music can still be somewhat cliché and naive in places, the band's energy compensates for any technical shortcomings, and the potential for development is obvious. It's also pleasing that the sound is cohesive and stylish – raw, but not overwhelming, allowing one to fully appreciate both the technical details and the dark atmosphere of the whole. Monoliths Of Eternal Night is a successful debut: dynamic, unpredictable, and engaging, giving hope that Cursed Darkness will truly spread its wings in future releases. For fans of black/death metal, this is material worth considering – raw, ambitious, and with clear potential for further exploration of extreme musical realms.

DESPIZER - Krew - Via Nocturna

The third album from Pabianice's Despizer, Krew, is an intense and ruthless blend of black metal, thrash, and d-beat punk. The band continues the stylistic lineage known from Pogarda, developing it on the new album in an even more sultry, oppressive, and aggressive manner. The sounds flow here like a dark wave: fast, punk-fueled riffs contrast with the heaviness of the black/thrash atmosphere, creating a cohesive and uncompromising atmosphere that captivates from the very first seconds. Despizer is a project of experienced musicians who perfectly understand the language of extremes. Their music is brutal, yet thoughtful—every riff, every breakdown, and every drum volley serves to build a suffocating and oppressive atmosphere. Fans of Skitsystem and Martyrdöd will find everything they could expect here: punk rawness, metal darkness, and a nihilistic emotional charge. As they themselves say about Krew: "This album is about dying – not by choice, but by necessity. About physical, spiritual, and social death. About a world without God, without purpose, without meaning. About the moment when a person becomes a shadow. About souls burned to the core and bodies that still move out of habit." These words perfectly capture the album's character – brutal, merciless, full of darkness and desperation. Krew is a must-have for fans of extreme music who value intensity, authenticity, and an atmosphere that burrows into the mind and doesn't let itself be easily forgotten.

FORKED TONGUES - Praise - Independent

The debut demo by Wrocław-based quintet Forked Tongues, titled Praise, is over 25 minutes of raw, old-school black metal, created exclusively for hardcore fans of the genre. The material is deeply rooted in the aesthetics of the '90s, both in terms of sound and composition – there's no room for modern quirks or compromises. Praise features three original songs and a cover of the excellent 'One Tail One Head' by Firebirds. Each track is powerful, cohesive, and well-thought-out, showcasing the band's clear passion for classic extremism. The riffs are sharp, the blast beats are merciless, and the atmosphere is cold and oppressive, as befits true black metal. Sonically, the demo is pure brilliance – raw but not chaotic, allowing for the full appreciation of the intensity and dark nature of the music. Forked Tongues demonstrates that, despite being a debut, they can craft material that is both coherent and engaging from the first to the last second. Praise is further proof that the Polish black metal scene continues to produce valuable and authentic projects. For fans of '90s extremes and orthodox sound, this is a must-listen – pure, raw, and full of dark energy that won't leave you indifferent.

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 VII