Patriarkh Unleashes "WIERSZALIN VII," the Final Single from New Album "PROPHET ILJA"
Polish black metal icons Patriarkh, formerly Batushka, unveiled their fourth and final single, "WIERSZALIN VII," on January 2, 2025, just one day before the release of their highly anticipated album "PROPHET ILJA." This new single showcases the band's evolution, blending fierce black metal with compelling narration and haunting screams.
"PROPHET ILJA" features eight new compositions that delve into the true story of Eliasz Klimowicz, the enigmatic Prophet Ilja, set in the 1930s and 40s in the band's home area of Podlasie, Poland.
The concept album showcases Patriarkh's musical evolution, incorporating elements of theater, pastoralism, and various folk instruments such as tagelharpa, mandolin, mandocello, hurdy-gurdy, and stringed dulcimer. The album also features collaborations with a symphony orchestra and choirs, adding depth and richness to their already complex sound. The record explores multiple languages, including Polish for the first time in the band's discography.
Patriarkh's mastermind and lead vocalist, Bartłomiej "Варфоломей" Krysiuk, describes the album as "full of emotions, sentimentalism and folklore," reflecting the multicolored nature of their native Podlasie region. The band's approach to this new material has been to push beyond their comfort zone, incorporating elements of radio play, audiobook, theater, film soundtrack, folk music, and performance art.
To celebrate the album's release, Patriarkh announced a special performance on January 3, 2025, featuring a symphonic orchestra and male choir. This event provided fans with a unique opportunity to experience the new material in its full, orchestral glory. Following this, the band will embark on a tour of Poland in March 2025.
As Patriarkh steps into this new chapter of their musical journey, they continue to challenge the conventions of black metal while remaining true to their Eastern Orthodox roots. The release of "PROPHET ILJA" promises to be a significant event in the metal world, offering a complex and immersive experience that blends traditional black metal with innovative musical approaches and storytelling.
