When I write reviews, there’s a general formula I follow. I listen to an album, take notes, and then re-listen to it while writing the review. This re-listen is for precautionary measures. I want to be sure there isn’t anything I missed and that the score I give it is the final score set in stone. There have been times that sixes were really sevens, sevens were really eights, and vice versa. But every now and then, an album will come along that requires a little more than this basic approach. Sometimes it’ll take two, three, or even four listens to fully digest over the course of days before I can even attempt to write an intro paragraph. This is the case with the new Malokarpatan album, Krupinské ohne (The Fires of Krupina).
I’d like to begin by saying I don’t usually listen to new black metal. I’m sure many will get triggered by this, but I gotta say it: It’s hard for me to review a style that’s become so stale, stagnate, and downright cliche for the last 25 years. I know some trve kvlt dudes are steaming reading this right now, but please name me a band that has contributed any fresh ideas to black metal since Darkthrone. Anyone? Bueller? Frye?
My smartass assessments aside, this isn’t to say there haven’t been good black metal bands since Darkthrone. There have been. They just take the best qualities of past acts and reinterpret them for their era. In Malokarpatan’s case, they take less from the early 90s Norwegian scene and more from obscure late 80s bands like Root, Master’s Hammer, Tormentor, and Mortuary Drape. This style of black metal is more rooted in the riffing and aesthetics of Mercyful Fate than Bathory. Quite frankly, there isn’t enough of this style around today, so it’s refreshing just to hear Malokarpatan attempt it, let alone do such a damn good job at it.
There’s two ways you can listen to Krupinské ohne. The first is at surface value by listening based off the music. They say music is the universal language. This album is certainly evidence for that claim. It’s sung entirely in Slovak, but the music speaks for itself. If I was reviewing this album based off production alone, it’d be a perfect ten. Every instrument is perfectly balanced and boosted to create an enormous atmosphere and total headphones only experience.
At it’s core, Krupinské ohne is a black metal album. However, the term black metal is not enough to properly encompass the sounds explored. Scattered about are traditional 80s metal riffs, blasts of speed metal, doom metal undertones, calming traditional folk sections, and even 70s prog rock synths that wouldn’t sound out of place on Pieces of Eight (1978) by Styx. If just the thought of all these elements combined is making your head spin, just wait. We haven’t even gotten to the lyrical component yet!
Krupinské ohne is a concept album based on a true story. Near the end of the 17th century, in the quaint village of Krupina, Slovakia, a coven of witches perform rituals away in the forest. They do so fully knowing their fate: to be burned at the stake. They gather for one last hurrah on the festival of Walpurgis Night, before being dragged away by the Christian missionaries and put to death. But the witches fear not death. For they know that while they will perish, their ancient practices will live on. Personally, I found it very helpful to read the accompanying narrative and English lyrics while listening. It added another dimension to the already bombastic music.
In a world dominated by lyrics about snow demons, crappy lo-fi production, and wannabe satanists, Krupinské ohne is a refreshing breath of crisp autumnal air. Its been over 300 years since the events of Krupina transpired, and over 30 years since Malokarpatan’s main musical inspirations formed. You could say what’s old is new again. I go back to my initial point of reinterpretation. Malokarpatan have taken elements of the past to create a unique listening experience for the future and beyond.
8 out of 10
Label: Invictus Productions
Genre: Black/Heavy Metal
For fans of: Master’s Hammer, Root, Tormentor