Band: Svarrogh
Album: Черна Песен
Genre: Atmospheric Folk Black Metal
Country: Bulgaria
Label: Independent
Released: September 25th 2024
Introduction
Svarrogh was created in 2001 as a raw pagan black metal project by Dimo Dimov, the band’s sole member. Over the course of the last 23 years, several EPs, demos and 6 full-length albums, the band has evolved from its raw black metal origins to an atmospheric folk black metal band with a much more sophisticated and cohesive sound. The lyrical inspirations, however, have mostly remained consistent, dealing with Slavic and Bulgarian folklore and traditions.
Черна Песен
Tracklist:
- Черна песен
- Звездите блуждаят напразно
- Суша, камъни, неволя
Side note: I’m an English-speaking individual, so my review here can truthfully only be about the music itself and the feelings and emotions that are invoked whilst listening to it.
That being said,
Track 1:
The intro to this song, along with all of its acoustic passages, is beautifully written. The song flows very well and through its various movements achieves a wonderful folk atmosphere, all the while still maintaining its heaviness and stays rooted in its black metal foundations.
Track 2:
Again, here we are given a taste of Dimo’s abilities as a multi instrumentalist and a songwriter. This one starts off with a magnificent piano piece with layers of gritty, distorted guitar that linger and build in the background. Eventually giving way to a wall of blast beats and shrill vocals. The acoustic outro of this track is especially satisfying and beautifully executed.
Track 3:
This track is pure atmospheric black metal gold. And my personal favorite of the three. Very reminiscent of early Drudkh. Whilst listening to this EP, I’m yet again reminded of how diverse and complex metal, especially black metal, is and how it never ceases to amaze me how much variation there is within the genre. Each of these three songs incorporates so many elements musically yet maintains a very engaging, well-thought-out theme all throughout.
Conclusion
Whilst listening to this EP I’m yet again reminded of how diverse and complex metal, especially black metal, is and how it never ceases to amaze me how much variation there is within the genre. Each of these three songs incorporates, so numerous elements musically yet maintains a very engaging, well-thought-out theme all throughout. I love the flow of the songs, weaving a very intricate web of acoustic/melodic folk inspired pieces together with the raw and unforgiving black metal elements. I’m definitely reminded of Drudkh while listening to this EP and feel that fans of them will thoroughly appreciate what Svarrogh has created here. Dimo is clearly an accomplished musician and really shines during the folk inspired acoustic passages.
BMZ Score: 7 out of 10
Support Svarrogh here: https://svarrogh.bandcamp.com/
What do you think of Svarrogh?
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