HEAVY MUSIC HISTORY: 1914
War and the stories held within conflict have often been a source of lyrical inspiration for many artists. Some dabble with a song here and there dedicated to a specific moment in war-torn history. Others, build concept albums, more detailed in their delivery and backed by a certain level of research. Extreme metal, particularly black and death metal sub-genres, with their often bleak and aggressive stylistics, lend themselves particularly well to a bloody backdrop lyrically. When you combine powerful blackened death and devoted armed conflict interest, you get 1914.
Formed in 2014, 100 years since the start of World War One. Ukrainian five-piece 1914 have set about telling some of the defining moments from The Great War using their own blend of intense yet melodic blackened death metal. Where others could be seen as only using a fleeting interest in war to creatively build a memorable track. 1914 have made it their whole personality. From using original source material in the likes of …And A Cross Now Marks His Place to very literal details of one vehicle in A7v Mephisto. To the accurate uniforms of the soldiers from the time that the band where on stage. 1914 have a singular purpose, to preserve and tell some of the most important moments and people from that terrible conflict. Featuring a track list detailing some of the most documented incidents of World War One with the likes of Frozen in Trenches (Christmas Truce), Verdun and Zeppelin Raids.
The Eschatology Of War is a debut album of rich and full historical commitment. As an opening statement, it’s an album that ticks a lot of boxes. Powerful and impassioned extreme metal set against a backdrop of very real accounts of some of the darkest moments in European and world history. The use of effects and samples to build a majestic soundscape of enthralling darkness lends further weight and credence to the words being sung. Caught In The Crossfire has a bleak tapestry made up of the lyrics, punishing drums and overarching sound effects. However, the melodic intricacies permeate throughout and create a number of catchy hooks. All of it combines to provide a highly engaging debut and a solid way to announce the arrival of the war themed quintet.
While The Eschatology Of War was an introductory statement, 2019’s follow-up, The Blind Leading The Blind, was the album that piqued the interest of many and put 1914 on a wider radar. Just as dark and foreboding as it’s predecessor, the sophomore album saw the band refining both their riffs and lyrical delivery. More stories took place from a first-person
perspective, such as Stoßtrupp, a song describing the actions of the infamous stormtrooper assault forces. They continue to tackle pivotal moments such as Passchendaele with Passchenhell and The Hundred Days Offensive. One track that stands out particularly for many is A7v Mephisto, a song dedicated entirely to not only a specific vehicle but also lyrically discusses its specifications. It’s no easy measure to pull off what is essentially a Haynes manual as an exciting extreme metal track. However, 1914 succeed with triumph.
They are also responsible for one of the hardest tracks that features the word pigeon, C’est Mon Dernier Pigeon, (roughly This is My Last Pigeon), about the valiant French defence at Fort Vaux during the battle of Verdun. Bleak, dark and crushing with the riffs and rhythms to match. It is a track that is once again a highlight amidst a lineup of highlights. Overall, The Blind Leading The Blind was a step up from the debut featuring grander production and a much more expansive sound. Yet the songs still related the stories in a reverence befitting true events and ultimately catapulted 1914 to a wider audience.
Their third and most recent effort from 2021, Where Fear And Weapons Meet was met with great acclaim both critically and from fans. It once again stepped up the majesty of 1914’s production helping to push the bleak and harrowing themes that is the makeup of their songs. However, it was a slight departure from both of the previous albums in terms of there was a flicker of hope held behind the subject matter. The tracks, while still every bit as poignant and heavy hitting, dealt with certain moments of survival and escapes from the horrors of war. The symphonic Corps d’Autos-Canons-Mitirailleuses (A.C.M.) and the more melodic led Don’t Tread On Me (Harlem Hellfighters) stand out for this. However, it is also an album that showcase a heart wrenching vulnerability. …And A Cross Now Marks His Place features guest vocals of Nick Holmes from PARADISE LOST and while it still bears the 1914 brutal hallmarks, the fact that the lyrics are directly based on a letter received by a grieving mother from a fallen soldiers commanding officer adds a whole new level of emotive connection.
Similarly, Coward, discusses the shameful actions of the commonwealth armies taking deserters to face a firing squad. The evolution of 1914 is clear, they’re not here to tell tales of glory against the odds, they will delivery a history lesson with the uncomfortable truths laid bare. Brutal, powerful and honest laced with nostalgic sorrow. This third instalment also marked the first release for 1914 under new major label management in the form of Napalm Records. With all the attention grabbing of the previous records, it would not be long before they were picked up in such a way. It should also mean that future output will be distributed on a major grander scale.
Given their chosen vocation as a blackened extreme metal band as well as their subject matter. Some have considered 1914 to be ‘sketchy’ (to put it mildly) as well as having possible ties to less than savoury scenes and artists. This is not an article that is seeking to address, nor give credence to rumour. However, it is clear to note that while these types of statements have dogged the band, many members, including frontman Dmytro Kumar, have regularly gone on record denouncing any such connections or connotations. Their story telling features a wide array of actions and participations from World War One, as such there is subject matter covered that some may find uncomfortable but that cannot be avoided. In their social media interactions too, 1914 have consistently quashed and distanced themselves from loathsome comments and those that make them. They’ve made it clear they will not stand for any NS nonsense.
The terrible events that continue on in their home country has understandably stalled the progress of 1914. They are still making live appearances and their social media presence has shifted to an awareness campaign of the occurrences in Ukraine. There is however, no sign that 1914 will be looking to stop anytime soon. Their source material will still be waiting for them and there are still countless stories left untold that will fit their passionate extreme metal style. It might be a while before we are given another glimpse into the mud and blood of 1914‘s chosen time period, however, there are still several exceptional albums to continuously revisit.
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