Artist: Profeci
Country: Poland
Label: Godz Ov War Productions
Formats: LP / Cassette tape / CD
Year: 2023
When the previous Profeci album ‘Aporia’ was recommended to me a few years ago, it didn’t take long to see what had gotten my referrer excited about them. And for a while I shared the excitement, but as time went by the band slowly faded from my view. But when Black Metal Promotion premiered the newest album ‘Ubóstwo’ my interest was reignited to listen to what the band had come up with and to revisit the band’s earlier works as well.
What initially appealed to me in the sound of Profeci was the modern Polish approach to Black Metal. ‘Aporia’ had a mix of ‘The Satanist’ Behemoth with a flair of Mgła and more creative takes on Black Metal heard in scene mates such as Furia, Medico Peste and Mānbryne. To be honest, upon revisiting the album it had lost a little bit of its initial impact, in part due to a lapse in intensity as the album progresses but it certainly also has to do with the follow-up ‘Ubóstwo’. And that is simply because the most recent album takes everything that was good about the previous album and does it quite a bit better. In the opening track the band already combines up tempo Black Metal with creative fills and clean breaks with the technical prowess that the modern Polish Black Metal scene is known for. But as the album shifts into the second song, Profeci turns an even more creative corner with shifting guitar riffs, prominent and almost progressive bass and dynamic drum fills. At times there is a hint of an Icelandic sound, in particular when the mood is built in Svartidauði or Sinmara like fashion, but the clear major inspiration of the band remains Behemoth on their recent, more Black Metal sounding albums. And it’s good to emphasize the Black Metal focus also when comparing ‘Ubóstwo’ to ‘Aporia’, as the Death Metal edge of the predecessor is all but gone, except for the somewhat throaty vocal approach. The latest album also manages to maintain the intensity much better, with ‘Głód’ harboring both some of the most progressive riffs as well as the most spirited vocals and thrusting pace. But also a slower, less distorted track like ‘Bez niej byłbym niczym’ has something to offer, giving the band an opportunity to show a more melancholic side to their sound. The best of it all is combined in final track ‘Dytyramb’, which closes off the album with vigour and finesse.
‘Ubóstwo’ is the best and most mature Profeci record to date, in terms of exploring the more creative aspects of their sound, of keeping the intensity, but also in the versatility of the compositions. Those that like the current Polish Black Metal scene and are not adverse to a bit of artistry would do themselves a large favour by giving this band some deserved time and attention.
