ZMARŁYM- WIELKIE ZANIKANIE - FILTHY DOGS OF METAL

10 Jun

10Jun

ZMARŁYM- WIELKIE ZANIKANIE

Country: Poland
Year: 2025
Label: Godz Ov War Productions

ZMARŁYM returns after almost three and a half years since their debut full-length album ''Druga Fala'', with their brand-new release titled ''Wielkie Zanikanie''. Honestly, I wasn't aware of their existence until Greg from Godz Ov War Productions sent me a package with their latest releases, and the new ZMARŁYM CD was included. This label truly works tirelessly, consistently releasing albums and helping so many bands get their music out there, promoting them worldwide. A big shoutout to Godz Ov War Productions, and once again, a heartfelt congratulations to all the independent label heroes out there who fight tooth and nail for the music they love. Now, let's talk about the band. The Polish band ZMARŁYM operates within the black metal genre, offering dark songs full of black metal outbursts, while also incorporating a variety of musical elements that go beyond the genre’s usual boundaries. I’m generally not a fan of genre fusions-I prefer each style to stay true to its roots. However, I also understand the artist's desire to express themselves beyond the constraints of genre conventions. ZMARŁYM belongs to that group of artists who experiment with their sound and have no musical boundaries. At its core, their music remains black metal, with fast tempos and a haunting atmosphere, but each track on the album introduces something extra within its composition. For example, songs like ''Miejsca'' start with a beautiful and atmospheric synth sound, evoking the feel of soundtracks from horror or sci-fi films. The track then transitions into black metal rhythms with blazing speeds and hellish blast beats, only to end with a much steadier rhythm, leaning toward heavy rock territory. Quite an interesting shift, I must say. Additionally, ''Ludzie Schronu (2034)'' is a very dark song, filled with emotion, a grim atmosphere, and numerous synth passages. ''Bunt Maszyn'' is a "strange" song with a heavy rhythm, beautifully crafted synth transitions, and, naturally, black metal outbursts. The guitar work is also top-notch, with a crushing, powerful sound. Another standout track is ''Plamy I'', atmospheric, otherworldly, and suffocating in its vibe. ''Plamy II'' also has its moments, especially in the middle, where eerie voices-seemingly coming straight from hell-are heard, accompanied by a bizarre and mysterious saxophone, creating an intensely unsettling atmosphere. In general, ZMARŁYM showcases a great deal of diversity in their music, successfully blending multiple elements within their songs, all while keeping a solid black metal foundation. As I mentioned earlier, I’m typically not a fan of genre blending, but after several listens of ''Wielkie Zanikanie'', I can say with confidence that I thoroughly enjoyed it. The album features excellent production, recorded, mixed, and mastered by Filip Hałucha at Heinrich House Studio in 2023-2024, and it comes with a beautifully eerie cover designed by Maciej Kamuda Art. For those who enjoy bands with a diverse sound and are open-minded in their musical tastes, ''Wielkie Zanikanie'' will absolutely satisfy your cravings. The album is available in LP, CD, MC, and digital format from Godz Ov War Productions. And don't forget to check a very interesting interview with ZMARŁYM HERE.

Tracklist:
1. Miejsca
2. Sny o Lataniu
3. Idziemy w Mgłę
4. Ludzie Schronu (2034)
5. Bunt Maszyn
6. A Good Day
7. Plamy I
8. Plamy II
9. Wielkie Zanikanie

Line-up:
Andrzej Kądziela - Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards
Kacper Biedrzycki - Guitars
Marcin Ścibisz - Bass
Michał Piekarski - Drums
*Guest saxophone by Johny Yul

By Steve the Filthy Dog.