BARKASTH - Silent Torment
Release Date: September 9th, 2026
Mara Production
Barkasth is a Ukrainian extreme metal band that formed in 2015. Since the bands beginning the band focused on, "an uncompromising rejection of organized religion, with particular focus on Orthodox Christianity." This idea was the basis for the band's initial offering, "Decaying" in 2018. The band states that the first album, "explores the collapse of faith, the corruption of religious power, and the inevitable moral decomposition hidden behind sacred symbols." Barkasth's second album, "Hear My Void" (2019) was a more contemplative album. This release focuses on, "a journey through psychological darkness, where despair, self-reflection and existential emptiness replace direct opposition" instead of other outward concerns. After the second release the band took a six year break to refined and reborn with the addition of Vlad of Drudkh on drums. He has also handled the mixing and mastering of this release. At the front of the band has been Arkhonth throughout the bands existence handling all other aspects of the band. The new album to be released soon, "is deeply rooted in the experience of modern Ukraine. The album was shaped by a reality that began on 24 February 2022 when millions of lives were irrevocably changed. It is not a chronicle of war, but a reflection on what war leaves behind: invisible scars, fractured memories and silent burdens that remain long after the battles have ended. Above all, it is an expression of gratitude to everyone who defend Ukraine and its freedom."
Erupting into a violently bleak existence, "When Dawn Refuses To Break" is a corrupted melding of black metal and perhaps a minor amount of crusty punk. Attacking without hesitation, the track is an aggressive homage to an inner tenebrous night. Forestalling light's unwanted grip and holding us firm into an unlit trip of desired auditorial misery. "Beneath Ashen Skies" focuses fully on a fierce detestation of innermost solace. Choosing to explore the unassailable aspects of human cruelty that furthers total suffering. There is no passive dimension to their sound, only darkly inspired contempt. Next, "Embers Gone Cold" marches in with a death-stench that is brilliantly grotesque. A purposefully painful path formed with hate-filled intentions. Basking in malignance, Barkasth rejoices in the decisive preference to fulfill the distorted components of our person. "Before The First Shot" is an expansive and wintery journey into bitterness. Lost in antipathy for everything righteous, the track is a sum of coldly-vicious musical supremacy and an innate desire for dark expression. Raw and melodically simplistic, "No Place To Hide" builds a vivid stronghold of solitude. Bleakly influenced by a spiritual and worldly existence shaped by vast suffering. All-the-while constructing a memorable track of forceful, blackened ingenuity. "Black as a Nightmare" is a melancholic statement of commanding force. Proving again of the band's innate ability to construct music with an astute understanding of sinister musical movements. The song is demonically accessible in a way that appeases our sickly senses. I do enjoy the overlapping guitars that build dreary dimensions for the listener. Next, "Silent Torment" is the unfurling of internal desolation that erupts into many extraordinary episodes of vicious clarity. Meticulously summoned on this song are all the intense and shadowy aspects of self that sought resolution. Along with others on the album, this is a track that is clearly black metal in inspiration and delivery. Lastly, "Stay Away" starts with a somber tone. Slower at the start, it eventually builds into a menacing mid-paced dirge.
The song's velocity increases dramatically half way through the song. The allows for an articulate and diverse feel. Closure is seemingly absolute with this ode to malevolence. This is a memorable album worthy of repeated listens.
awakeninginthedark.pl
barkasth.bandcamp.com
Release Date: September 9th, 2026
Mara Production
Barkasth is a Ukrainian extreme metal band that formed in 2015. Since the bands beginning the band focused on, "an uncompromising rejection of organized religion, with particular focus on Orthodox Christianity." This idea was the basis for the band's initial offering, "Decaying" in 2018. The band states that the first album, "explores the collapse of faith, the corruption of religious power, and the inevitable moral decomposition hidden behind sacred symbols." Barkasth's second album, "Hear My Void" (2019) was a more contemplative album. This release focuses on, "a journey through psychological darkness, where despair, self-reflection and existential emptiness replace direct opposition" instead of other outward concerns. After the second release the band took a six year break to refined and reborn with the addition of Vlad of Drudkh on drums. He has also handled the mixing and mastering of this release. At the front of the band has been Arkhonth throughout the bands existence handling all other aspects of the band. The new album to be released soon, "is deeply rooted in the experience of modern Ukraine. The album was shaped by a reality that began on 24 February 2022 when millions of lives were irrevocably changed. It is not a chronicle of war, but a reflection on what war leaves behind: invisible scars, fractured memories and silent burdens that remain long after the battles have ended. Above all, it is an expression of gratitude to everyone who defend Ukraine and its freedom."
Erupting into a violently bleak existence, "When Dawn Refuses To Break" is a corrupted melding of black metal and perhaps a minor amount of crusty punk. Attacking without hesitation, the track is an aggressive homage to an inner tenebrous night. Forestalling light's unwanted grip and holding us firm into an unlit trip of desired auditorial misery. "Beneath Ashen Skies" focuses fully on a fierce detestation of innermost solace. Choosing to explore the unassailable aspects of human cruelty that furthers total suffering. There is no passive dimension to their sound, only darkly inspired contempt. Next, "Embers Gone Cold" marches in with a death-stench that is brilliantly grotesque. A purposefully painful path formed with hate-filled intentions. Basking in malignance, Barkasth rejoices in the decisive preference to fulfill the distorted components of our person. "Before The First Shot" is an expansive and wintery journey into bitterness. Lost in antipathy for everything righteous, the track is a sum of coldly-vicious musical supremacy and an innate desire for dark expression. Raw and melodically simplistic, "No Place To Hide" builds a vivid stronghold of solitude. Bleakly influenced by a spiritual and worldly existence shaped by vast suffering. All-the-while constructing a memorable track of forceful, blackened ingenuity. "Black as a Nightmare" is a melancholic statement of commanding force. Proving again of the band's innate ability to construct music with an astute understanding of sinister musical movements. The song is demonically accessible in a way that appeases our sickly senses. I do enjoy the overlapping guitars that build dreary dimensions for the listener. Next, "Silent Torment" is the unfurling of internal desolation that erupts into many extraordinary episodes of vicious clarity. Meticulously summoned on this song are all the intense and shadowy aspects of self that sought resolution. Along with others on the album, this is a track that is clearly black metal in inspiration and delivery. Lastly, "Stay Away" starts with a somber tone. Slower at the start, it eventually builds into a menacing mid-paced dirge.
The song's velocity increases dramatically half way through the song. The allows for an articulate and diverse feel. Closure is seemingly absolute with this ode to malevolence. This is a memorable album worthy of repeated listens.
awakeninginthedark.pl
barkasth.bandcamp.com