BEDNJA, Croatia’s black metal revelation is summoning the demons and bringing to life the album ‘Doline Su Ostale Iza Nas‘ as the definitive physical and digital version on November 29th on Transcending Obscurity Records.
This is a contrasting band in the current scenario, fusing black metal and hardcore animosity, BEDNJA stands out for a unique identity in a really detailed and exciting work. The band’s name comes from a river in northern Croatia, rising from the mountains and winding down the Drava River. The name also baptized the village at the river’s spring, a place with a freezing climate and distinct dialect.
Some details need to be mentioned at this point, in addition to this band promoting a genius and blackened musical fusion, this is an album with lyrics sung entirely in Croatian language, as well as the theme, this in my opinion is something positive and invigorating to the genre, another factor is about the release of this album, only this is a definitive release, the album has been available for listening since 2018 in some streaming, BEDNJA wisely awaited a contract with a label equivalent to the quality of this material and certainly Transcending Obscurity Records was smart to absorb this band. ‘Doline Su Ostale Iza Nas‘ is a solid album, outlined by folk elements as the album progresses, an entry with natural passages, screaming guitars, vocals interspersed with high-pitched screams, and harshly howled vocals.
Tracks like ‘Posljednji Krik‘ impress with their versatility and abrupt and fierce tempo changes, ranging from a more ethereal atmosphere to a massive soundtrack where the guitar injects a loop of energy. Water sounds are implemented in some parts and “Povratak Kralja” flows from a warm melody to the magnificent blackened hardcore.
Ivan and Nikola are an added attraction to this band, and although the instrumental sounds immensely vast and powerful, these guys will be screaming mercilessly among a brutally colliding genre dance, a fact that can be seen in ‘Tisina Je Smrt‘. Incidentally this is a visceral strip and BEDNJA is a strong candidate for renewal of the sector.
‘Doline Su Ostale Iza Nas‘ is another animalistic track and these musicians are just giving us the best of this alchemy with reflective atmospheres and Nikola stitching bloody lines to the guitar while Petar’s ruthlessness hits the drums.
You will still find ‘Iz Magle‘ and ‘Ledena Palaca‘ and you can be absolutely sure that while this mix is not exciting to the more traditionalist connoisseurs, BEDNJA will possess your soul. ‘Doline Su Ostale Iza Nas‘ is an ambitious album and I hope you don’t get through without checking it out.
Track listing
1 – Iz Magle
2 – Posljednji Krik
3 – Povratak Kralja
4 – Ledena Palaca
5 – Tisina Je Smrt
6 – Doline Su Ostale Iza Nas
Line up
Petar Babić – Drums
Ivan Milković – Bass and vocals
Nikola Šarkanji – Guitar and vocals
Album released November 29, 2019 via Transcending Obscurity Records.
4/5 Stars
