Polish black metal icons PATRIARKH (formerly Batushka) return with a clear and fresh vision as they unveil their new concept album, ПРОРОК ИЛИЯ (Lat. PROROK ILJA), out on January 3, 2025.
The Napalm Records debut unveils eight new compositions and immerses the listener in the true story of Eliasz Klimowicz, the titular Prophet Ilja, set in the 1930s and 40s. Following the success of their critically acclaimed album, Hospodi (2019), and relentless touring around the globe, the new band looks towards a bright future! Firmly grounded in Eastern Orthodox traditions and music, PATRIARKH blends black and doom metal with haunting, dark religious concepts.
Today, PATRIARKH unveils their first single, ВЕРШАЛИН III (Lat. WIERSZALIN III), accompanied by a visually striking official music video, capturing an Orthodox mass. ВЕРШАЛИН III showcases the band’s signature blend of Orthodox sacredness with melodic folk instruments, infused with towering doom metal elements in which harsh vocals unite with rising choirs (featuring A. Strug & M. Maleńczuk). This crushing, colossal-sounding blend creates an instantly distinctive sonic experience.
