Band: Батюшка
Album: Литургия
Genre: black metal/Orthodox chant
Year: 2015
Label: Witching Hour Productions
The Polish black metal scene has produced yet another fantastic band. Батюшка (Batushka - title of an Orthodox priest) put a unique spin on the genre by drawing influence from the Russian Orthodox faith. The three members of the band are shrouded in mystery, but most people say that they are involved with other projects.
Литургия (liturgiya - liturgy) is the band's debut LP, and right off the bat I am impressed. The album is divided into eight ектении (yektenii - litanies). The music incorporates Orthodox liturgical chants which give the album a ritualistic feel. The chanted vocal parts are not samples like most bands use. The chants are composed and performed by the band; thus, a good portion of the vocal work is done in this manner. Keeping in line with the theme of 'orthodoxy', the lead vocalist employs the traditional black metal scream. Overall, these vocal parts are central in the context of the album.
The instrumentation, while not unique, is well composed and executed professionally. The album is dotted with killer riffs and memorable melodies. The drumming is predominantly blast beats, but they feel somewhat subdued by the mix (which honestly works here). The bass has a nice tone and gets a chance to be the center of attention on "Ектения VI: Уповане." Occasionally church bells chime in between tracks. In fact, the album feels as if it is being performed in a Russian church. The guitars create a cavernous atmosphere, and the chants and shrieks echo off the walls. One can almost smell the air, thick incense. Литургия aims at creating an atmosphere first and foremost, and it succeeds while also providing quality riffage.
The sum of these litanies is an eerie yet beautiful execution of Polish black metal. Hopefully this is not a one-off project as I hope to hear more liturgical black metal from these mysterious, talented musicians. You can give Батюшка a listen on YouTube here.
Rating: 4 / 5
Top Tracks:
Ектения I: Очищение
Ектения III: Премудрость
Ектения II: Благословение
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