ALBUM REVIEW: Heilsweg: O Udręce Ciała I Tułaczce Duszy – Mānbryne
When considering the nation of Poland, one of the first things that may enter your enlightened mind is that it is home to one of the most original and exciting black metal scenes in Europe and, by extension, the world. Currently muscling their way onto this awesome and terrifying plateau of giants is MĀNBRYNE, Who, with the release of their debut album Heilsweg: O Udręce Ciała I Tułaczce Duszy, are aiming to leave an impression like a blackened crater in the world stage. But with such titanic names already attributed to their homeland, can they possibly live up to what has gone before?
In a word, yes. The album begins with a short sample lifted from what sounds like a seventies witch hunter flick before crashing headlong into the cyclopean blast beats and shrieking melody of Pustka, Którą Znam. It is immediately recognisable as modern Polish black metal; fast, aggressive and blessed with an ever-present thunderous bass tone. There is a veritable feast of ideas and riffs on display, with sharp, well-written technicality and excellent use made of traditional fare, A wonderfully bleak, suffocating atmosphere is cultivated very early on in the track which MĀNBRYNE delightfully carry on through the whole of Pustka… and beyond, it never seems to drop from Heilsweg’s wailing open to it’s bitter end.
Following this comes W Pogoni Za Wiarą, which momentarily takes its foot from the accelerator in order to introduce oppressive atmospheric passages interspersed with the bone-crunching assault of MĀNBRYNE’s sonorous filth. Special mention need be made of the prominent and belligerent vocal performance of S (better known as Soneillon of BLAZE OF PERDITION) who showcases his considerable prowess to tremendous effect here, breaking from his usual raw, full-throated bark to dramatic rasping whispers or half-melodic, BOLZER-style war cries. It is a performance not lacking in variety and comes to feel as though it would carry the same power even if not accompanied by the nuclear chaos of its utterly scorching backdrop.
The middle section of Heilsweg carries with it no apparent drop in quality. Ostatni Splot builds from a splintering mid-paced riff into a cacophonous roar of faintly emotional but overtly bleak adrenaline. Penultimate track Majestat Upadku keeps largely to mid-paced territory but introduces several passages of brain-mincing speed to keep the listener alert. The track ends with an excellent mid-paced outro featuring sluggish riffs, tight and concise drum work and howls that would not be amiss emanating from a freshly opened crypt. By this point it is fairly obvious that the musicians who have turned their hands to this album are clearly of a high calibre. While this is apparent throughout, larger instrumental segments are present here which highlight both the complexity of the music and the apparent ease with which it is played.
Rounding out the album is Na Trupa Trup which begins at possibly the highest speed MĀNBRYNE have attempted so far. This is the track where they clearly are throwing everything at the wall, as it is a bludgeoning maelstrom of tremolo, samples and smothering atmosphere. The colossal backbone of the piece is definitely formed of the tremendous drum work of Priest, who’s particular style is utterly relentless and formidably technical, resulting in a deep sense of urgency written throughout this beast of a song. As a closer, it has a sense of barbaric finality to it, scorching the earth and vanishing into a closing bookend sample of crows, rain and wracking sobs. It leaves the listener feeling somehow satisfied yet faintly unfulfilled, understanding only that they want more.
There’s no question, Heilsweg is a great listen. It is relentless, technical and steeped in melody, offering both metallic savagery and haunting musicality. It will surely delight anyone who is fond of the polish black metal scene as a whole and would work as a fine starting point for anyone looking to explore this rich and vibrant corner of the heavy metal universe for the first time. In short, you won’t regret picking this one up anytime soon.
Rating: 8/10
Heilsweg: O Udręce Ciała I Tułaczce Duszy is out now via Terratur Possessions/Malignant Voices.
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