VSPOLOKH

Today, Purity ThroughFire sets December 25th as the international release date for a worldwide edition of Vspolokh‘s third album, Mertvozem / Мрьтвоземъ, on CD and A5 digipack formats.

Formed back in 2004, what Vspolokh lack in quantity of recordings, they ably make up for in quality of vision. In the ever-vast field of Russian black metal, Vspolokh stand strong, maintaining the triumphant-yet-tragic element so endemic to the best quarters of that scene whilst just as equally evincing a patiently plied style of songcraft that’s consistent with their judiciously spare discography.

Purity ThroughFire released Vspolokh‘s debut album, Печаль о прошлом, in 2010 and then two well-regarded splits in 2013 and 2014, respectively. Alas, silence ensued until 2020, with the release of Помре. Thankfully, no great changes were made to their rigorous aesthetic – strident physicality but never overly exerted, a subtly hummable melodicism that never wanders near the saccharine, a view toward epic constructions without any bloat – and now they continue that still-extended trajectory with their third album, Mertvozem / Мрьтвоземъ.

Originally released in the Russian market this November, Mertvozem / Мрьтвоземъ is arguably Vspolokh‘s strongest work to date. Their alternately surging / swaying attack is more muscular than ever, with that physicality taking on a nearly world-eating aspect at times. Those moments of aggression are strategically deployed, delivering sweet release – or vice versa – after the spiraling segments of bittersweet beauty, betraying all the bloody tragedy spilled on Russian soil over so many centuries. Everything moves with almost monk-like patience, but that slow-burn movement is mesmerizing no matter the tempo. Laid upon a framework of utterly HUGE production, Mertvozem / Мрьтвоземъ irrevocably recasts Vspolokh as a unique sort of pagan black metal that’s somehow modern – and plausibly, powerfully so.

In the meantime, see the video for “Shigyr” here:

Cover and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Vspolokh’s Mertvozem / Мрьтвоземъ
1. Кара [7:50]
2. Шићиръ [5:12]
3. Киалимская падь [9:08]
4. Инзер [7:09]
5. Юрма [8:44]
6. Касли [6:17]

MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/vspolokh

www.purity-through-fire.com

Today, Purity Through Fire sets June 21st as the international release date for Vspolokh‘s long-awaited second album, Помре, on CD and A5 digipack formats. Formed back in 2004, what Vspolokh lack in quantity of recordings, they ably make up for in quality of vision. In the ever-vast field of Russian black metal, Vspolokh stand strong, maintaining the triumphant-yet-tragic element so endemic to the best quarters of that scene whilst just as equally evincing a patiently plied style of songcraft that’s consistent with their judiciously spare discography. Purity Through Fire released Vspolokh‘s debut album, Печаль о прошлом, in 2010 and then two well-regarded splits in 2013 and 2014, respectively. Alas, silence ensued, but now arrives the timely return of Vspolokh with Помре. Thankfully, no great changes have been made to their rigorous aesthetic – strident physicality but never overly exerted, a subtly hummable melodicism that never wanders near the saccharine, a view toward epic constructions without any bloat – but what sets this record apart from Vspolokh‘s not-inconsiderable catalog is the variety of textures the quartet explore here. Naturally, the hues of Помре emanate from the darkness, but one can also find glimmers of nostalgia, bittersweetness, and even hope, ruined as it is, coursing through the album’s deeply engaging 57 minutes. Altogether, it’s the austere ‘n’ noble sound of paradigmatic Russian black metal, but given a tastefully unique twist. It’s worth noting the influence of Ural mythological heritage within the Vspolokh world, which is manifested not only in the lyrics of some songs, but also in the band’s visual design, reflecting local archetypes. Thus, Vspolokh brand their music Ural Chthonic black metal, and this is clear because a number of characters in the Ural mythology have a chthonic nature. The title of Помре may allude to the statement of one Ural literary-heritage researcher: “In mainstream literature, the anti-hero dies – but in the Ural one, everyone dies.” High adventure and deep contemplation await those who set sail with Vspolokh‘s Помре. Begin adventuring & contemplating with the brand-new track “Чрьнътопь” here:

Cover and tracklisting as follows :

Tracklisting for Vspolokh’s Помре 1. Вонъзивъши Мрътвыи Корении Въ ЛѢсъную Твьрдь… 2. В Загробье 3. Помре 4. Туман и Пепел 5. Плачь и Ръидание и Стенаниѥ Многь… 6. На Серых Равнинах 7. ТьлѢниѥм Мрьтвъ Азъ въ Бездънъ… 8. Чрьнътопь

MORE INFO: www.facebook.com/vspolokh

www.purity-through-fire.com