XIFICURK - 1096
XIFICURK - 1096
Country: Poland
Year: 2025
Label: Mara Productions
Poland, as I’ve mentioned many times before, has one of the strongest metal scenes in the world-especially when it comes to extreme metal. The Polish black metallers XIFICURK are a proud part of that scene. Formed on October 13, 2019, the band’s core consists of Temira and Sitre. After releasing two EPs and several singles, the time has come for their debut full-length album, titled “1096”, which was released this past April through Mara Productions. We also had the pleasure of conducting a great interview with Temira, which you can read HERE. Now, let’s dive into XIFICURK’s debut album. The first thing that caught my eye was the cover art-imposing, blood-soaked, with impaled heads, radiating a black aura. The album features nine tracks, including an intro and outro. This is raw and barbaric black metal, with songs full of hatred bursting from the speakers. Tracks like “The Iblis Within” (featuring some really interesting symphonic elements in the background) and “Niech Cię Szlag” (a seven-minute descent into hell-make sure to check out its stunning music video, it’s simply epic!) stand out immediately. The album continues with “Ya'juj wa Ma'juj”, an ambient, atmospheric piece drenched in Eastern influences and shrouded in mystery, transporting you to other dimensions. The atmosphere here is incredible-kudos to the band! This kind of immersive mood is often missing from new metal releases, and XIFICURK are a rare exception. Next comes the seven-minute epic “Into Eternal Suffering” - a slow, torturous, and grandiose black metal track that climaxes with an intense outburst near the end, driven by ferocious drumming. “Al-Jabbaar” serves as a bridge between this and “Dead Man Walking”, a chilling, horror-inspired atmospheric piece that literally makes you feel like you're hearing the footsteps of the dead approaching. As for “Dead Man Walking”, it’s a badass song - fast, aggressive, with double bass drumming that pounds your head from side to side. It features melodic parts scattered throughout, and the guitar solo is so evocative it almost borders on power metal, enhanced by background synths that give it a unique atmosphere. One of my favorite tracks on the album, alongside the infernal “Niech Cię Szlag”. Then comes “XIFICURK - Blackthirst (Like Rivers of Hate)”, which opens with a hauntingly beautiful atmospheric section - until the drums kick in and black metal warfare begins. It’s a murderous song with brutal, savage vocals that sound like they’re about to rip your ears apart. Eight minutes of pure, unhinged black metal madness-total chaos! As I mentioned earlier, XIFICURK deliver hellish black metal, but what sets them apart is the consistent presence of melody and atmosphere in all their compositions, making the album emotionally impactful and resonant. The album closes with a chilling yet beautifully crafted outro, “An-Nasr (Outro)” realistic and terrifying. Listening to it, you feel like you’re stepping right into the album cover itself, experiencing the beheadings, the terror of battle, the scent of fire and burning flesh all around you. As the door shuts behind you, you remain safe-but not unchanged. Black metal has always been anti-conformist, rebellious, and a stance against the enslavement of mankind-particularly through organized religion. With “1096”, XIFICURK gives a massive fist against religious dogma. This is a powerful release for 2025 - one I’m sure will be appearing on many year-end lists for the best metal albums of the year.
By Steve the Filthy Dog.
https://www.facebook.com/Xificurk.Official
https://www.instagram.com/xificurk_official/
https://xificurk.bandcamp.com/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3SuGXHDSouhNDwrzoSBk4N