Review Summary: #Staygoldenponyboy
Polish black metal has been surging back into prominence as of late so it doesn't surprise me that yet another relatively young band that I couldn't pronounce even if a gun was pointed at my head would put out a killer album. Storwz, featuring a key member of Wedrujacy Wiatar, has a stellar 2014 album called Cóż po żyznych ziemiach... that is worth checking out if you happen to be a fan of or have your interest piqued by the thought of epic Slavic folk influenced black metal. It's a twelve track one hour affair that is characterized by it's sexy Polish artwork, melancholic tremolo based passages and it's rousing Eastern European folk rhythms that could turn your household into the liveliest most depraved Slavic dance party ever. So take the kielbasas out of your mouth and let Dr. Balls take you on a spiritual musical journey that you will never forget.
Unlike Wedrujacy Wiatr's latest album which brings to mind early Ulver and Wolves in the Throne Room, Storwz bring to mind Drudkh with more traditional folk influence and more accessible sound production. Intro aside which features some kind of exotic bagpipe sounding instrument the first few tracks are straight up atmospheric black metal. A strong eye for depressive melody, highly memorable riffing and dueling male/female vocals build a grimly triumphant atmosphere. Like if a cavalry of winged Hussars just busted through the living room and RKO'd your entire family. The next few tracks morph into more upbeat, folky numbers complete with flutes, melodic instrumentals, chugging riff fests and pelvic thrusting rhythms. Things get really sexy when the tempos flare up and the passages break off into some epic soloing.
In terms of intensity and kvltness Storwz never really go balls out Blasphemy but the music doesn't need to be intense or sound like it was recorded in Satan's fleshlight. From start to finish it's a incredibly lively and inspired album and that's saying something because this features twelve tracks and runs on for a hour. The musicianship is top-notch. The riffs are catchy are hell, the tremolo picking is the most infectious that I've heard in all of black metal and the dynamic interplay between the standard instruments with the dual vocalists and exotic backing instruments make for one excellent album. Whether they want to be dark and brooding or lighter and folkier it doesn't matter because music is consistently captivating.
