Six naked men stand fearfully before a door in which a dark figure can be seen. Is it the gateway to the afterlife? Or the entrance to certain death? We do not know — but there are album covers that immediately leave an impression and make you think. Złudnia, the latest work by the Polish ensemble Angrrsth, is one of those.
The title Złudnia, which translates roughly to “place of illusions,” graces the second full-length album by this illustrious Polish quartet. Within the underground metal scene, the band has already built up a solid reputation. Drummer Jakub Wieczerzycki is perhaps the best-known member of the group, partly due to his past as a live drummer for Black Altar and Batushka.
Since their formation in 2018, Angrrsth have been steadily shaping their own dark, distinctive brand of Black Metal, infused with subtle Death Metal influences. With Złudnia, they continue along that path — delivering an album that is both oppressive and captivating, where the line between reality and illusion constantly seems to blur.
In addition to the impressively tight drumming of the aforementioned Wieczerzycki, special mention should also be made of Grisch’s precise guitar work. His picking is not only thoroughly enjoyable, but also gives the band a more contemporary sound, steering them slightly away from the typical and instantly recognizable Polish tone.
XII, who handles the bass duties, makes excellent use of the four strings of his instrument, forming together with the drummer an exceptionally tight rhythm section. And then there’s Hermann, the vocalist, who doesn’t limit himself to simply screaming his lungs out, but also strives to bring variation and depth to his delivery. That diversity ensures that Złudnia never descends into monotonous shouting, but instead remains dynamic and compelling throughout.
With Złudnia, these Poles have delivered a strong and engaging album. Even though the lyrics are entirely in Polish, the band manages to draw you in and hold your attention from start to finish.
85/100
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Godz ov War Productions Website