ALBUM REVIEW: Hospodi – Batushka
When BATUSHKA released Litourgiya in 2015, they took the black metal world by absolute storm. Their fusion of Eastern Orthodox Liturgy and contemporary black metal worked an absolute treat, and with their live performances being a spectacle thanks to ceremonious worshipping and visually-striking robed anonymous figures giving the sermon, BATUSHKA are now one of the hottest names in modern black metal. Whilst legal debates rage between Krzysztof Drabikowski and Bartłomiej Krysiuk over ownership of the BATUSHKA name, resulting in a shattering of the shroud of mystery, now comes Hospodi; the work of Krysiuk. With Drabikowski having already offered his incarnation earlier this year (read our review of Panihida here), Hospodi stands as the other side of the BATUSHKA coin.
Regardless of what side of the fence you sit on the debate, Hospodi offers ten tracks of reliable, and in places excellent, black metal. Wozglas opens the record in sombre note through their trademark chanting before unfolding into Dziewiatyj Czas, which kicks the record off in fine fashion. Here, the band build through solitary guitar work until they roar into life through a blistering assault of double-bass drumming and Krysiuk‘s familiar vocal shrieks. It’s a more slow-paced affair than what we’re accustomed to from BATUSHKA, with the pacing set at a steady mid-tempo flow, but it does a fine job of kick-starting the record.
Litourgiya it may not be, but Hospodi still shines in places. Powieczerje‘s intricate and inviting riffing, mesmerising vocal lines and harmonious chants combine to work up an absolute treat of a track, Polunosznica‘s barrage of unrelenting and ruthless black metal adds a bout of intensity at the half way stage of the record and Utrenia‘s heavily-leaning metallic guitar work helps the track stand out as a clear highlight. The build at the track’s mid-way mark is truly splendid, as the riffs dominate proceedings in a steady tempo before the chanting vocals enter the fray; resulting in one of the biggest moments where the band’s fresh take on instrumentation works really well.
Speaking of the instrumentation, that is the most notable change on Hospodi. Whilst Litourgiya excelled thanks to a wicked blend of raw black metal and Eastern Orthodox traditions, Hospodi offers a much more metallic listen, opting for much more emphasis towards the amplified instrumentation, particularly in the guitar department. The swirling riffs, sometimes intricate, sometimes blistering are the focus point for much of the record and the results are mixed. At times, the focus towards the instrumentation works a treat, making BATUSHKA sound more ferocious than ever, but BATUSHKA built their sound on the brilliant balance of black metal and that of ritualistic elements. With a focus leaning way more towards the amplified instrumentation, the execution of the ritualistic side of their side feels hollow and is no way near as impactful as it should be.
Whilst the occult mystique of Litourgiya is certainly subdued this time round, the spirit and mood that fuelled that debut is still felt on Hospodi. Partly, this is due to Krysiuk, who excels throughout the record. His vocal work, from the deranged shrieking to the creepily harmonious chanting, particularly on Tretij Czas, hammers home consistently across the record. And when the band do incorporate the funeral chanting it works well enough, Szestoj Czas sporadic placement of this musical component helps pace the track remarkably for example, you just can’t shake the feeling that it pales in comparison to what has come before.
Though it certainly impresses in places, there is an underlying feeling that Hospodi could be so much more. Perhaps that’s the result of the unsavoury squabble between Drabikowski and Krysiuk or maybe the record is crippled by the overwhelming expectations set by their debut. What is as clear as day though is that throughout Hospodi‘s duration, the desire for the primitive and intoxicating soundscape of Litourgiya always remains at the back of the mind, and that detracts from the overall enjoyment of the record. Sure, bands needs to grow and evolve, but when a record feels detached from what came before, you can’t help but wish for more.
Rating: 7/10
Hospodi is set for release July 12th via Metal Blade Records.
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