Year: 2024
Label: Darker Than Black Records
Rating: 8,5 / 10
Fortunately for us, even in these vile times, Krywian metal continues to exist and move forward. Even with difficulties and obstacles (I know how much effort and time was wasted in search for a publisher, but that's the only way steel is tempered!), after a huge break of 8 years, the third PESTILENTIA album has finally been released. I had a chance to listen to the first mix almost a year ago, when there were no vocals in it yet, and even then I realized that the album would turn out to be the best in their discography.
Like the famous "Rotten", "Heralds of Anguish" was created by the whole company. In addition to Plague666, Eucharist, and Jaŭhien Ignataŭ (he finally became a full-time drummer), second guitarist W.W. (BONEHAMMER, VIEDŹMINY PAKUTY) and T.D. (DOOMSLAUGHTER, GOATHORNED, etc.), who already played in PESTILENTIA in the early years, worked on the album as full-time members. This time, T.D. played... the keyboards! G.W. (GOATHORNED, SACRILEGIOUS PROFANITY, etc.) did the graphic design and sound, and sang on the penultimate track. Maxim of ДО СКОНУ mixed and mastered the album. The lyrics were written again by Nihilation (ŁATANU). Finally, the whole artwork, as you may have guessed, was drawn by Vaiug.
I've already mentioned the main musical difference between the new album and the previous recordings. It's the presence of keyboard parts. I remember Plague666 saying that he uses nothing but a standard set of rock instruments, because every fool will record something with the keys, and but try to make a worthy album without them!... But even the most committed traditionalists sometimes decide to live in a new way. I think that the keyboards have only benefited PESTILENTIA. In the first mix they were so loud and expressive that they worked on a par with the guitars, but in the final mix they were slightly muted. It must be understood that this is not the symphonicity of EMPEROR, not the primitive synth buzz of old GRAVELAND and not some kind of industrial bullshit, but something very sinister and cold. If MAYHEM had used keyboards on "De Mysteriis...", they would have sounded very similar.
"Heralds of Anguish" is also incredibly dynamic. If "Rotten” was rather chaotic, and "Where The Light Dies", on the contrary, methodical and purposeful, then the new album combines these two approaches. Something is constantly changing in music, but this time it is very consistent. The main events take place in the guitar parts, which, for obvious reason, have been greatly enriched. There are dozens of guitar solos on the album, both beautiful and insightful, and darkly mystical. In terms of music saturation, "Heralds of Anguish" is on par with the best examples of international orthodox Black Metal, and at the same time there are no gimmicks and theatrical parts created specifically for live environment, which is good. The sound on the album is just amazing. Again, it resembles "Rotten", only recorded much more professionally. It's fat, bulky, vibrant, with a wide dynamic range, but also quite raw. The texts are written on "It's in the title" principle. What happens in them is exactly what comes to your mind when you read the song names.
The release of "Heralds of Anguish" (the physical release will take place on DTB in 2-3 weeks) is a very good sign and example for our underground, fragmented again by the recent years. I know something about the difficult circumstances in which this record was created, but PESTILENTIA, together with friends, brought it to the finish line and gave out the best album in their history. At the same time, many decent musicians, who only need to reach out and take a guitar, consciously choose inaction. You can drink someone else's vodka, or you can also do something new. After all, we all love to talk about idealism and dedication to our thing, but what is the best proof of this dedication if not to continue our work despite all obstacles?
English (UK) 
Крыўская