The Polish black metal band led by Bartłomiej “Варфоломей” Krysiuk and who changed from Batushka to Patriarkh earlier this year will release their new concept album on January 3rd. “ПРОРОК ИЛИЯ”, or Prophet Elijah internationally, will be released through Napalm Records, as the single “ВЕРШАЛИН IV” aka WIERSZALIN IV, you can watch the song’s amazing music video now here.
“This is our most oriental song on the new album. The monody that runs through the whole song is influenced by Greek and Romanian traditions, which are an essential part of Orthodoxy. With the new songs, we try to bring out different aspects of Orthodoxy. Just like the prophet Ilya traveled to Kronsztadt, we traveled far to get musical inspiration to create a psalm in honor of the New Jerusalem built by our prophet”; the band tells and continues:
“The song also features our long-time singing teacher Eliza Sacharczuk, with whom we have collaborated since 2016, constantly improving our singing skills through lessons and consultations. We really wanted her on board, Eliza has a unique voice. Listen and see for yourself!”
At the same time, the band takes its music to a new level, where the eight new compositions of the upcoming album tell a story based on a true story about what happened in the band’s homeland in Podlasie, more precisely in the village of Grzybowszczyzna in the 1930s and 1940s. The album introduces the listener to the world of the then Eliasz Klimowicz, aka “Prophet Ilya”, an illiterate peasant. Elliasz became the leader of the Grzybowska sect and operated until the 1960s, farming the land and telling the story of his self-proclaimed prophet.
Patriarkh, on the other hand, spreads their musical gospel, now bringing with them a number of folk instruments in their music, from the harp to the mandolin and the lyre – not forgetting the symphony orchestra and the choir. The band’s characteristic orthodox holiness with its liturgical melodies mixes with these elements, black metal and doom even in a cinematic way. In addition to several different languages, Polish is also heard for the first time in the band’s history.
“With this album, we are starting a new chapter in our history. It’s not just about changing the name, but our music is also going through a natural evolution. The story of the album encouraged us to leave our comfort zone and try things that have never been done before in our music. Many are probably wondering if this no more black metal or even metal. Radio, audio book, movie soundtrack, folk music, performance… All these terms are very applicable. Some will hate this and some will love this…”
The upcoming album was recorded last spring at Tall Pine Records, Heinrich House, Wem Studio and Radio Białystok studios, where many important works of the industry have also been recorded. Mixing and mastering is the handiwork of Wojciech Wiesławski, who previously worked with, among others, Vader, Behemoth and Decapitated. The album was produced by the band primus motor and lead vocalist Bartłomiej “Варфоломей” Krysiuk.
Track list:
1. WIERSZALIN I (Lat.) – ВЕРШАЛИН I (Cyrillic)
2. WIERSZALIN II (Lat.) – ВЕРШАЛИН II (Cyrillic)
3. WIERSZALIN III (Lat.) – ВЕРШАЛИН III (Cyrillic)
4. WIERSZALIN IV (Lat.) – ВЕРШАЛИН IV (Cyrillic)
5. WIERSZALIN V (Lat.) – ВЕРШАЛИН V (Cyrillic)
6. WIERSZALIN VI (Lat.) – ВЕРШАЛИН VI (Cyrillic)
7. WIERSZALIN VII (Lat.) – ВЕРШАЛИН VII (Cyrillic)
8. WIERSZALIN VIII (Lat.) – ВЕРШАЛИН VIII (Cyrillic)
ПРОРОК ИЛИЯ is available in numerous exquisite formats and packages, the crown jewel of which is a wooden box limited to 300 copies, containing the album, bonus CD, jewelry, flag and sleeve tag. See all formats and pre-order yours here.
Patriarkh is having a great time with her Epic Prophecy For Europe tour, which continues at the end of the month in the Far East:
Asia & Australia Prophecy 2024
29.11.24 TH – Bangkok / Mr.Fox Livehouse
01.12.24 HK – Hong Kong / MOM Livehouse
03.12.24 CN – Shanghai / MAO Livehouse
04.12.24 CN – Beijing / Omnispace
06.12.24 KOR – Seoul / West Bright Hall
07.12.24 TW – Taipei / Jack Studio
09.12.24 JP – Tokyo / Shibuya Club Asia
12.12.24 NZ – Auckland / Tuning Fork
13.12.24 AUS – Melbourne / Max Watts
NOWY WIERSZALIN Poland 2025
03.01.25 PL – Łódź / Wytwórnia – SINFONIA ORTHODOXIA w/symphonic orchestra and male choir
22.02.25 PL – Krosno / Rock Klub Iron
07.03.25 PL – Wrocław / Transformator
08.03.25 PL – Zabrze / CK Wiatrak
09.03.25 PL – Kraków / HYPE PARK
14.03.25 PL – Lublin / Fabryka Kultury Zgrzyt
15.03.25 PL – Olsztyn / Scena Zgrzyt
16.03.25 PL – Warszawa / Klub Proxima
17.03.25 PL – Białystok / Zmiana Klimatu
21.03.25 PL – Gdynia / Podwórko.art
22.03.25 PL – Szczecin / Kosmos
23.03.25 PL – Poznań / 2progi
Partiarkh is:
ВАРФОЛОМИЕЙ – Vocals
ЛЕХ – Drums
МОНАХ ТАРЛАХАН – Guitar
МОНАХ БОРУТА – Guitar
АРХАНГЕЛ МИХАИЛ – Guitar
ХИАЦЫНТОС ЯЦА – Choir
ЯЗЫЧНИК – Choir
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