Poland’s master of ceremony PATRIARKH are finally back with their newest sermon, “ПРОРОК ИЛИЯ”
Roughly translated to “Prophet Elijah,” the group’s newest album is their first in five years since the critically acclaimed “Hospodi.” Now, for the readers who aren’t up to date, PATRIARKH is the offshoot of the group Batushka. We won’t go into details, but PATRIARKH has been unstoppable with its output and touring since its formation.
If you haven’t been lucky enough to see PATRIARKH live, their atmosphere and dedication to their craft are second to none. And with this latest album, they have gone to the furthest to push it even further, crafting a bigger, gorgeous, and haunting sound.
The concept album is broken into eight parts under the WIERSZALIN name. “I” opens the album as we hear a figure furiously writing as a subtle calming Барфоломей narrates the album’s first few moments before “II” we hit into the first music of the album. A hypnotic but groovy guitar riff drives the opening as the choir bellow some gorgeous vocals.
Mixing the ideas of black metal with doom & classical elements, PATRIARKH really has created something very special. And going even more expansive, this album has it all. More classical instruments like tagelharpa, mandolin, mandocello, hurdy-gurdy and zithers have helped give the album a more grand epic scale.
“III” brings the energy down into a more sombre tone, this track is haunting but driven. Playing into the blackened sound but building upon it with the chorus of singing & key sections. Building its atmosphere with spoken word sections, the track feels like it would work perfectly within The Witcher world.
“VI” begins as a much more striped-back affair. Echoing vocals build a really elegant feel to the track as a single mandolin riff leads the track in a folk-focused feel. Having a track like this breaking up the heavier tracks is great & adds so much to the film score sound the band are touching upon.
Closing out the album “VIII” is a nearly eight-minute epic. Like the third act in a religious epic, the band have been building to this last chapter.
Incorporating all the elements that the band showcases throughout, the band slowly builds & builds until the climax of the track. A beautiful but harrowing track completes what is a truly phenomenal album.
PATRIARKH are like no other. Never being able to pigeonhole their sound but at the same time being able to draw in fans from all genres of extreme music, the group have built their signature sound & it’s truly beautiful. As a whole ПРОРОК ИЛИЯ is truly a work of art. As a concept, it feels coherent & is so rewarding for the listener from the first few seconds to the last few whispers in its closing moments.
Review: Joseph Mitchell
ПРОРОК ИЛИЯ is out via Napalm Records on 3rd January 2025
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