Da Pacem Domine?1
For sure not in Batushka‘s first studio record Litourgyia. This album is going to get feistier as it progresses. And it has this friggin’ tendency to keep you on your toes, and not grant you one tranquil moment to calm down and contemplate your situation.
Do we have your undivided attention now?
And I quote: “Band members are unknown, but they are from well-known bands.” We are told that the band is – supposedly – from Poland. And this fits, and it does not bode well. There’s trouble looming over the horizon. Which is – of course – exactly what we want. And indeed, the first sounds on this frozen debut concoction called Litourgyia are – chants. And once you think you are safe, then – wham – goes the metal, mainly of the Black kind with some melancholy woven into the fabric.
This sounds like Darkend‘s ritualistic urges got thrown into a pot with Myrkur, stirred well, and created this mad child of theirs. Then they held a black mass with some of their very best friends and out came – Litourgyia.
Litourgyia displays the same disconcerting characteristics as M from the aforementioned Myrkur. Meaning, the record tends to gripe. Employing an ever-changing, powerfully majestic Black Metal streak and indulging in some cacophonous passages that will sweep you away. All this is delivered complete with clear voice passages, chants, and all. Orthodox chants, not Gregorian. Then throw in some tight tremolo picking in some places, and mix well by spicing it up with some screams that would make Dani Filth proud.
The ever-present blast beats are, however, never overbearing. Actually, the drum work fits pretty well into the ever-present wall of sound. Varied and not overly complex, much to the contrary of many of Batushka’s partners in crime. And to top it, the growled vocals rasp away at different speeds, complete with screams, as a good Black Metal record must.
Litourgyia feels like some sinful after-hours Orthodox monastery fun party. Once the monks have taken their robes off and started dancing on the tables, that is. The devil in exquisite discourse with the forces of the light, if there are any. The whole record exudes that blasphemous vapor that I find frankly amazing. Heretical, but exactly what Black Metal is all about. And I am not talking about the Spike Fist Legion that wanted to take the genre over for a while with burning crosses and naked bodies hanging across the stage.
Now, it is really difficult to find your favorite track on Litourgyia. The monolithic way Batushka joined vile Black Metal rasps with chants in clear voice is just mind-boggling. I would, however, recommend the first two and last three parts of the tracklist for the podium. Having said that, none of these tracks are bad.
And we got ourselves a December surprise – yet again. I thought we had them more or less lined up, the best albums of the year for 2015. And now this 41-minute monster comes along. I guess the list in the making needs to be revisited. Litourgyia sounds like a contender for the top spot. We shall see.
The album itself is Pvre Fvcking Metal, a wilder and different brand than what others got us some months earlier. A weird mix of soft passages and scalding hot Black Metal. The whole record vibrates with energy and the fight between good and evil. Batushka created themselves an epic battle for Black Metal giants on vinyl.
Really well done, I am impressed.
Ed’s note: The record hit the 2015 Top 10 Records and the Intermittent Digest – Tome III. And here’s to some drama. Because Batushka – in 2019 – has two incarnations, one delivered Hospodi and the other Panihida. Go figure.
Record Rating: 9/10 | Label: Witching Hour Productions | Web: Official Site
Release date: 4 December 2015
The Odd Footnote!
- Give peace, Lord. In fucking Latin, no less.-↩