Review Summary: We are nothing, and to nothing we shall return.
Welling up from the bleak caverns of raw hypnotic nihilism, Krakow's Mgła unleash a black metal debut LP well-worthy of remembrance. Fresh off the heels of three promising EPs, the band further develops their desolate, irrefutable image. It's an identity not of Satan, burned churches, or the bombastic theatrics of their contemporaries, but of something far more terrifying - that we, humanity, are our own worst enemy. Armed with proficient language and musicality, this Polish quartet paint our species in a hopeless, yet mesmerizing light, one long-routed from the mirage of sanctity.
The overall sound of "Groza" can be summarized in two words: glorious repetition. Much like the band's following works, the tracks revolve around a central idea, building upon the melodies like a twisted springboard of frigid carnage. Yet through the many refrains of eerie oscillation, the pieces feel neither complacent nor florid. "Groza I" sets the scene without hesitation as lurid, serpent-like vocals entwine the arpeggiating riffs like echoes from the darkest reaches of hell. The tasteful restraint in the drumming provides a hypnotic foundation, with sparse blasts only in appropriate sections. While the mix lacks a certain punch the band would ultimately procure, the confidence in songwriting and performance handily placates the production shortfalls.
Although "Groza" falls short of the memorability and finesse of later releases, there remains a certain undercurrent of budding unease that would later bloom into a sprawling Yggdrasil of comforting despair. Take for instance the outro of "Groza II", as a coarse barrage of muffled kick drum, tremolo riffs, and piercing Polish lyricism conjure images of such engrossing despair, as if torn from the darkest annals of a terminal prophecy.
"Devouring, trampling the splendor of legions
Over the ruins of the Known,
Over the carrion of Order
Along winding paths and steep steps
Carried by a wild, cold lust of Doubt"
Speaketh M, roughly translated from Polish, as he intrepidly calls out the trivial self-destructive nature of humanity, and the corrosive institutions we place our collective faith in. This is just one example, among many, of Mgła's lyrical poignance, even this early on in their development. The swing and grandeur of the epic "Groza IV" will undoubtedly move you, and while the cymbals and kick don't sit perfectly in the mix, Darkside wields the half time swing like a pendulous pocket watch, keeping the listener deeply transfixed.
In summation, "Groza" is incredibly solid black metal fare that is well-worth 36 minutes of your time. It doesn't reach the heights of the shattering "With Hearts Toward None" or the devastating "Exercises in Futility", yet remains a critical stepping stone for a band taking their first big leap into the LP realm. It's a beautiful, dark celebration of self-deprecation that's sure to please many black metal fans. Ironically enough, albums like this remind us that although humanity is deeply flawed, we remain capable of producing impeccable works of art, insofar as my flawed perception defines. Do yourselves a favor and check this one out!
