Hail, you shadowed pilgrims of the Black Metal Archives—Sean here, still reeling from PATRIARKH’s Prorok Ilja, a beast that hit me like a Podlaskie winter gale. Released January 3, 2025, via Napalm Records, and its eight tracks weave a tale as heavy as it is haunting—born from Bartłomiej “Варфоломей” Krysiuk’s reborn vision post-Batushka. Let’s wade into this Orthodox abyss!
PATRIARKH rose from the ashes of Krysiuk’s Batushka after losing the name to Krzysztof Drabikowski in 2024. Based in Białystok, Poland, it’s ВАРФОЛОМИЕЙ (vocals) leading a crew: МОНАХ ТАРЛАХАН (guitars), МОНАХ БОРУТА (guitars), АРХАНГЕЛ МИХАИЛ (guitars), ЛЕХ (drums), with ХИАЦЫНТОС ЯЦА and ЯЗЫЧНИК on choirs. Prorok Ilja is their Napalm debut, a concept album about Eliasz Klimowicz, the Prophet Ilja of 1930s Podlasie.
“Wierszalin I” opens with a soft choral hum, guitars creeping in like frost on glass, Krysiuk’s voice a low lament—I’m swaying, drawn into its quiet dread.
“Wierszalin III” shifts gears, riffs towering with folk-infused doom, choirs swelling like a dark mass—my pulse quickens, enthralled.
“Wierszalin VII” storms in fierce, blast beats crashing against liturgical moans—damn, it’s a beast that leaves me winded.
PATRIARKH’s sound is a sprawling ritual—guitars blend black metal fury with folk strings, choirs, and orchestras paint a vivid, pastoral gloom. Krysiuk’s vocals shift from snarls to chants, rooted in Orthodox tradition but pushing into neo-folk and soundtrack territory. It’s got nods to Litourgiya’s sacred fire and Agalloch’s atmospheric sprawl, but the theatrical leap’s divisive—some call it genius, others bloated. I’m in—it’s bold as hell and sticks with me.
The Batushka split looms large—Krysiuk’s rebrand to PATRIARKH came after years of legal venom with Drabikowski, who kept the original name. Prorok Ilja’s folk-heavy evolution stirred the pot: purists sneered at the departure from raw black metal, while others praised the ambition. There are no lawsuits this time, but the fanbase stays split—Krysiuk’s past “theft” accusations from Hospodi still echo, and some see this as a redemption arc, others a cash grab. Drama’s quieter now, but the shadow lingers.
You fervent converts, drop your takes below—did this album save or sink Krysiuk’s soul? Stream it on Bandcamp and weigh in! We here at the Black Metal Archives aren’t here to choose sides and cause further division, which is why we will be reviewing both sides of this wicked story. Be sure to check out our review of Batushka’s album!
Stay fervent, you restless metal heads, and keep the flame burning!
RATING: 4 OUT OF 5
