Year of release: 2021
Label: Werewolf Promotion
Rating: 8,3 / 10
Once every few years, STWORZ takes a break from metal, releasing material in the acoustic neofolk genre. The last such release was released in 2017, and now is the time for a new one. Wojsław joined forces with the English project WAPENTAKE, and two traditionalists dedicated several songs to the spirits of their lands.
On the example of this split, it is best seen what path STWORZ has traveled over the years of its existence. Previous acoustic releases have consisted mostly of soulful melodies that you can play at summer evenings during campfire gatherings. Live and uncomplicated folk music. But these new songs have taken a huge leap forward in terms of development. Wojsław offers a mature, thoroughbred neofolk that can be put together with the luminaries of the genre. First and foremost, he just plays the guitar brilliantly. It seems that he no longer really needs to obey strictly fixed squared sizes and rhythms; he plays as he wants, there will be no falsity. Several guitar lines of a fundamentally different nature are constantly intertwined, filling the musical space, so you won't get bored. Light synth (I think these are synts) parts are added to them. The compositions are very soft, smooth, soothing. Moreover, they are completely independent; the style of STWORZ is heard, but these are definitely not acoustic versions of metal songs. No vocals were found this time. Small samples are used only at the beginning and end of the tracks, and they speak about the subject matter better than any words. I have only one comment: at the end of the last sample, through the sounds of crickets and the croaking of frogs, the noise of car engines in the distance is slightly audible. It's not like a kick in the balls, but still a strong hit. The demonic four-wheeled monster is breaking the flawless atmosphere!
I was completely unfamiliar with WAPENTAKE, but I soon noticed that the project is experiencing problems with self-identification and basic logic, which is unfortunately typical for right-wing music circles. This is, believe or not, “acoustic Black Metal”. It is not hard to imagine that a person who managed to invent such an oxymoron eats bread made from water, playing with a round Rubik's cube at his leisure and celebrates his birthday on July 32. Fortunately, this does not affect his musical talent. Five tracks by WAPENTAKE are not as elite as those of STWORZ but they are ahead of them in terms of variety. This is a simpler neofolk with a loud acoustic guitar and a lot of natural samples (as with the same STWORZ on early acoustic releases). The guitar takes over the lion's share of the music, and sometimes it is accompanied by a synthesizer and distant semi-acoustics reminiscent of BBH canvases. WAPENTAKE's tracks have a deep melancholy and cold aloof beauty, which differs from the pastoral paintings of STWORZ. However, there is also a warm and “homelike” track “Nostalgia”. Performance is sloppy in some places. This is especially noticeable on the seventh track, where the musician's plays really heavy-handedly: he touches the extra string or just stops for a second before the next chord. There are no vocals here as well, but then again, everything is clear from the samples and track names.
The split was released on CD and limited to 500 copies. The booklet is made on matte paper; inside you will find thematic paintings by artists who lived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Very strong and suitable design for spiritually pure neofolk music. Details on a video.
English (UK) 
Крыўская