After the dust settled, PATRIARKH emerged to carry on the legacy of Batushka. They take their sound to loftier places on ПРОРОК ИЛИЯ (Napalm Records). There is a more grandiose nature to the sound this album unveils. It leans more in the direction of symphonic black metal. Rather than being bolstered by a string section, they have incorporated an array of lush Eastern European sounds. This brings an almost Dead Can Dance vibe to the sonic tapestry putting them closer to what Rotting Christ does than Behemoth.
A few songs in things begin to wander in a more melodic direction, allowing for a broader dynamic scope, that becomes a rather hypnotic listen. The snarled vocals are the most black metal thing about this album, with very little in the way of blast beats. This plays to their favor as they step out from the pack and set themselves apart as a distinct entity, rather than conforming to the expectations of the genre. There is a formula to the songwriting, but it’s effective, as the songs ebb and flow in a way where the black metal parts jump out from the more cinematic march of the song like a monster in a haunted house.
At times the emphasis is on the more atmospheric ritual mood of the Folk chanting though it all comes to a climax about six songs in which everything boils to a perfect dynamic balance. When it comes to songwriting there is a great deal of growth here. The female vocals that soar in and out of the songs, bring another layer of melody to the proceedings. This is not the heaviest black metal album you are going to hear in 2025, nor is it the darkest. However, they have certainly set the bar when it comes to nuanced arrangements and creating a magical mood.
If you are a fan of Batushka’s original incarnation, then this album is going to feel like they have reached the logical place in their creative journey. If you wanted the more cryptic mystic of a band shrouded in the shadows churning out opaque shadowy sounds, then this album might take some time to grow on you as it’s a more cinematic expanse of orchestration. This also makes it easy to leave it on and just let it play. This makes it perhaps a better album than what they have done in the past. For these guys to have a future as a band, and not fade into the where are they now files, this album gives the room to explore more options rather than just the same old blast beats that are warmed up from 1992. If that is what you need then go dig out your copy of A Blaze in the Northern Sky. These guys are doing what they gotta do, in the most honest way, they could make a black metal folk opera. It’s a fun listen, if it’s not cvlt enough for you then you’re taking life way too seriously
Buy the album here:
https://napalmrecords.com/patriarkh
8 / 10
WIL CIFER
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