By Bona Pjarren
Following on their ‘Prolog’ EP at the start of the year, M-Theory Audio this week release ‘nie nas widzę’, the fourth album from black metal pagans, Varmia. Originally formed in Olsztyn in 2016 by composer Lasota, Varmia fuse black metal with archaic influences ranging from Baltic folk to music from the historical region of Warmia.
‘I’ literally explodes into life before progressing to a pleasant acoustic instrumental with some interesting vocal washes. It is a solid introduction to the album. ‘SVA’ smashes into life with guitar blocks of sound before launching into some grinding black metal with some folk style underpinning. It is an audacious piece of writing as it roves through different ideas. The clean singing really adds something to the overall scene.
Next is ‘agre’, which has roving guitar riffs and an almost horn treatment which might be keys or vocals. It is quite effective. It soon dives into some driving black metal interspersed by more melodic parts. II is another pleasant acoustic track with frame drums and dark vocal harmonies. By contrast, ‘KAD SAULE DIV’ is heavy and driving in a take no prisoners sort of way. It has a nice chant style vocal by way of a transition between heavier parts.
‘Swaixtan’ is a doom laden introduction that leads to an interesting mix of styles with clean and extreme vocals interspersed over varying tracks drifting from black metal to doom to almost folk metal. ‘III’ Is another interesting acoustic track with haunting vocal washes, while ‘DIES TREMOR’ has great slabs of guitar riffs and launches into full on black metal interspersed with doom style sections. There is a great folk style breakdown with traditional sounding instruments.
Next up is ‘kres’ which has a strong guitar riff and kicks off in a doom style fashion. There are some really nice guitar ideas in this track and a certain folk style background at times shines through. It has some intriguing mixes of sounds. ‘IV’ is a very folky dirge with violin washes and frame drums.
‘DAINA 4’ is almost progressive rock on the introduction but soon slams into black metal with folk undertones. It has a dark brooding quality to it offset by some clean vocals in parts. Dirge style strings only add to this overall feeling. Horns bring an ethereal tone to the proceedings.
Last but not least is ‘poswiat’, which starts with some beautifully delicate guitar work to lull you into a false sense of security. The onslaught soon follows but there is also subtlety in the framework of the song with floated ethereal horns and haunting strings floated and woven into the maelstrom.
I enjoyed this album as it offers something a little different with its subtle use of folk elements moulded together with classic black metal. Good use of traditional sounding instruments, particularly the horn and string sounds, really make this album stand out. Varmia are masters of their craft. Give it a listen.
- ‘nie nas widzę‘ is released on Friday (16 June).
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