Review Summary: An unnerving amalgam of haunting melodies and satanic brutality.
The eerie melodic intro with a child’s voice soon yields to opener Lucyfer’s name as evil death metal vocals shatter the induced serenity. Blackened death Rogaty (Horned) unleash their demonic intent from the outset in name, sound and atmosphere in their outstanding 2018 debut album Diabel (Devil). Blastbeats and pummelling riffs ensue, however, across 9 songs and 45 minutes, Diabel reveals many layers in a most diverse and creative fashion.
Beb (guitars) and Dom (drum, bass, vocals) formed Rogaty in Krakow, Poland in 2017 and have produced an overlooked gem that is worthy of being placed alongside the array of impressive Polish metal releases. Diabel is as diverse as it is brutal with regular tempo shifts, melodic components, a plethora of vocal styles and spoken word, and an injection of Eastern European and Middle-Eastern music. The vocals are in Polish, although Rogaty’s worldly influences are also apparent with the origin of the opening four song titles: Lucyfer (Welsh), Xionc (Irish), Belial (Hebrew) and Grob (German). The remaining titles are of their native tongue but we don’t need to venture far into the album’s lyrics to grasp its persistent satanic theme as we can see with the translated titles: Lucifer – Priest – Devil – Grave – Night Children – For Sick Devils – Devil’s Hammer – Oracle – Prayer.
Opening track Lucyfer sets the tone and style of the album in just over 3 minutes with its eerie melodic beginning soon possessed by slow building heavy riffs and fierce death vocals. The intensity then escalates with blastbeats and fast riffs to satisfy the extreme metal listener. The tempo changes and melodic components feature in every song and these transitions are effortless and only serve to engage the listener. Towards the end of Lucyfer it slows to a seductive middle-eastern melody that is both beautiful and eerie, only to explode again for the finale in an all-out blackened death assault.
What is apparent in the next track Xionc is Rogaty’s ability to write incredibly catchy guitar melodies and very rhythmic and groove-laden riffs. With melodies and slower tempos interspersed among the brutal onslaughts, the genius of Diabel is its ability to maintain a sinister atmosphere whether it be light or heavy. Beb and Dom are very creative and talented musicians. The evil death vocals are complimented with ghoulish black metal ones and the satanic atmosphere is further enhanced by occasional chants, voices akin to Islamic call to prayer, spoken word and haunting female vocals. Half-way into the album and Dzieci Nocy (Night Children) shreds your ears with yet another vocal variation, this time a harrowing high-pitched scream. The diverse array of demented and disturbing vocals create such an unhinged vibe. Diabel only gains strength with the penultimate track a brutal cover of fellow elder heavy metal blackened thrash Polish icons KAT and the track Wyrocznia (Oracle) from their 1986 album 666. Rogaty save the best till last with an 11 minute epic containing all the twists and turns that characterise the entire album.
Diabel is an exceptional album that warrants your attention. Melding black and death, east and west, beauty and vulgarity, the many layers continue to reveal themselves over time. Rogaty never lose your attention with seamless transitions between melody and brutality, culminating in a very consistent, captivating and unnerving experience.
