Uploaded September 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
The album Prorok Ilja (also known as ПРОРОК ИЛИЯ in Cyrillic, meaning "Prophet Elijah" in Portuguese), released on January 3, 2025, via Napalm Records, marks the triumphant return of Polish black metal band Patriarkh after five years since their acclaimed Hospodi (2019). Formed as an offshoot of the legendary Batushka after internal disputes over the band's name, Patriarkh—led by vocalist and mastermind Bartłomiej "Варфоломей" Krysiuk—consolidates its identity as one of the most innovative and immersive forces in contemporary black metal, with deep roots in the Eastern Orthodox Church, Slavic folklore, and regional mysticism.
This is a concept album that retells a fascinating true story set in the band's home region of Podlasie (Poland), specifically in the village of Grzybowszczyzna, during the 1930s and 1940s. The plot revolves around Eliasz Klimowicz, the titular "Prophet Ilja," a controversial local figure who proclaimed himself a blasphemous biblical prophet, blending elements of prophecy, madness, and pastoral folklore. Inspired by a Polish play of the same name by Włodzimierz Pawluczuk, the album incorporates fragments of theatrical texts, liturgical hymns, and folk melodies, creating a cohesive narrative that explores themes of emotion, sentimentality, and spiritual conflict. It is an immersive journey that transforms an obscure historical event into a dark opera, full of drama and cultural authenticity.
Musically, Prorok Ilja elevates Patriarkh's signature sound to new heights, fusing arcane black metal with a rich palette of Orthodox influences. The band explores Byzantine monody, liturgical chants, and Russian polyphony, adapting folk melodies and traditional hymns to heavy riffs, drum blasts, and dense atmospheres. The eight tracks, all titled Wierszalin (I to VIII), form a continuous suite that builds a hypnotic "wall of sound," with guttural vocals contrasting soaring male harmonies, choirs, and even female vocals in moments of intensity.
Highlights include the contrasting harmonies of Wierszalin III and the torrents of double-kicks on Wierszalin IV, which balance Gregorian dignity with black metal fury. Recorded between January and May 2024 in Polish studios such as Tall Pine Records (known for work with Behemoth), Heinrich House, and Wem Studio, the album was mixed and mastered by Wojciech Wiesławski at Hertz Studio (Vader, Decapitated). For the first time, the lyrics incorporate multiple languages, including Polish—a first for the band—alongside Church Slavonic, adding layers of authenticity and mystery.
Critics and fans alike praise Prorok Ilja as a "masterpiece of arcane black metal" and a creative reset that corrects the flaws of their previous album, Hospodi, reaffirming Patriarkh as innovators in the subgenre of Orthodox mysticism. Described as an "absolute banger" and "my favorite black metal album with monastic chants," the band praises the musicians' technical skill and the immersive atmosphere that rewards full listens. The release coincided with Patriarkh's debut concert, Sinfonia Orthodoxia, in Łódź, featuring a symphony orchestra and male choir, symbolizing a symbolic new beginning after the farewell to the Batushka name.
In short, Prorok Ilja is not just an album, but a ritualistic experience that transports the listener to the shadows of Polish folklore, blending history, blasphemy, and devotion into a captivating sonic tapestry. Ideal for fans of atmospheric black metal like the original Batushka or Mgła, it's a bold statement that Patriarkh is ready to conquer the world with its bone-shaking essence. Available in formats such as black vinyl, CD digipak, and streaming on Bandcamp.
MEMBERS
Лех (Paweł Jaroszewicz) - Drums
Монах Борута (Jakub Śliwowski) - Guitars
Монах Тарлахан (Rafał Łyszczarz) - Guitars
Барфоломей (Bartłomiej Krysiuk) - Vocals
Язычник (Andrzej Popławski) - Vocals (choirs)
Хиацынтос Яца (Jacek Wiśniewski) - Vocals (choirs)
Архангел Михаил (Michał Staczkun) - Guitars
TRACKLIST
1. Wierszalin I | 00:00
2. Wierszalin II | 01:21
3. Wierszalin III | 05:33
4. Wierszalin IV | 11:33
5. Wierszalin V | 17:03
6. Wierszalin VI | 21:20
7. Wierszalin VII | 26:01
8. Wierszalin VIII | 32:31
SOCIAL MEDIA
Bandcamp: patriarkh.bandcamp.com/music
Deezer: deezer.com/us/artist/9768798
Facebook: facebook.com/patriarkhofficial
Instagram: instagram.com/boruta_batushka
Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/15LsRgSmN0t8VLcsUFYW5J
COPYRIGHT
All music written and produced by Patriarch. All rights reserved to Napalm Records.
#newalbum #newrelease #fullalbum #promotion #metal #Patriarkh #ProrokIlja #BlackMetal #AtmosphericBlackMetal #OrthodoxBlackMetal #SlavicFolk #EasternOrthodox #RitualMusic #PolishBlackMetal #FolkloreMetal #MysticMetal #Batushka #Mgla #Drudkh #HateForest #Saor #Grima #Kroda #NeguraBunget #WolvesInTheThroneRoom #NapalmRecords #Wierszalin #MonasticChants #SlavicMythology #BlackMetal2025
The album Prorok Ilja (also known as ПРОРОК ИЛИЯ in Cyrillic, meaning "Prophet Elijah" in Portuguese), released on January 3, 2025, via Napalm Records, marks the triumphant return of Polish black metal band Patriarkh after five years since their acclaimed Hospodi (2019). Formed as an offshoot of the legendary Batushka after internal disputes over the band's name, Patriarkh—led by vocalist and mastermind Bartłomiej "Варфоломей" Krysiuk—consolidates its identity as one of the most innovative and immersive forces in contemporary black metal, with deep roots in the Eastern Orthodox Church, Slavic folklore, and regional mysticism.
This is a concept album that retells a fascinating true story set in the band's home region of Podlasie (Poland), specifically in the village of Grzybowszczyzna, during the 1930s and 1940s. The plot revolves around Eliasz Klimowicz, the titular "Prophet Ilja," a controversial local figure who proclaimed himself a blasphemous biblical prophet, blending elements of prophecy, madness, and pastoral folklore. Inspired by a Polish play of the same name by Włodzimierz Pawluczuk, the album incorporates fragments of theatrical texts, liturgical hymns, and folk melodies, creating a cohesive narrative that explores themes of emotion, sentimentality, and spiritual conflict. It is an immersive journey that transforms an obscure historical event into a dark opera, full of drama and cultural authenticity.
Musically, Prorok Ilja elevates Patriarkh's signature sound to new heights, fusing arcane black metal with a rich palette of Orthodox influences. The band explores Byzantine monody, liturgical chants, and Russian polyphony, adapting folk melodies and traditional hymns to heavy riffs, drum blasts, and dense atmospheres. The eight tracks, all titled Wierszalin (I to VIII), form a continuous suite that builds a hypnotic "wall of sound," with guttural vocals contrasting soaring male harmonies, choirs, and even female vocals in moments of intensity.
Highlights include the contrasting harmonies of Wierszalin III and the torrents of double-kicks on Wierszalin IV, which balance Gregorian dignity with black metal fury. Recorded between January and May 2024 in Polish studios such as Tall Pine Records (known for work with Behemoth), Heinrich House, and Wem Studio, the album was mixed and mastered by Wojciech Wiesławski at Hertz Studio (Vader, Decapitated). For the first time, the lyrics incorporate multiple languages, including Polish—a first for the band—alongside Church Slavonic, adding layers of authenticity and mystery.
Critics and fans alike praise Prorok Ilja as a "masterpiece of arcane black metal" and a creative reset that corrects the flaws of their previous album, Hospodi, reaffirming Patriarkh as innovators in the subgenre of Orthodox mysticism. Described as an "absolute banger" and "my favorite black metal album with monastic chants," the band praises the musicians' technical skill and the immersive atmosphere that rewards full listens. The release coincided with Patriarkh's debut concert, Sinfonia Orthodoxia, in Łódź, featuring a symphony orchestra and male choir, symbolizing a symbolic new beginning after the farewell to the Batushka name.
In short, Prorok Ilja is not just an album, but a ritualistic experience that transports the listener to the shadows of Polish folklore, blending history, blasphemy, and devotion into a captivating sonic tapestry. Ideal for fans of atmospheric black metal like the original Batushka or Mgła, it's a bold statement that Patriarkh is ready to conquer the world with its bone-shaking essence. Available in formats such as black vinyl, CD digipak, and streaming on Bandcamp.
MEMBERS
Лех (Paweł Jaroszewicz) - Drums
Монах Борута (Jakub Śliwowski) - Guitars
Монах Тарлахан (Rafał Łyszczarz) - Guitars
Барфоломей (Bartłomiej Krysiuk) - Vocals
Язычник (Andrzej Popławski) - Vocals (choirs)
Хиацынтос Яца (Jacek Wiśniewski) - Vocals (choirs)
Архангел Михаил (Michał Staczkun) - Guitars
TRACKLIST
1. Wierszalin I | 00:00
2. Wierszalin II | 01:21
3. Wierszalin III | 05:33
4. Wierszalin IV | 11:33
5. Wierszalin V | 17:03
6. Wierszalin VI | 21:20
7. Wierszalin VII | 26:01
8. Wierszalin VIII | 32:31
SOCIAL MEDIA
Bandcamp: patriarkh.bandcamp.com/music
Deezer: deezer.com/us/artist/9768798
Facebook: facebook.com/patriarkhofficial
Instagram: instagram.com/boruta_batushka
Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/15LsRgSmN0t8VLcsUFYW5J
COPYRIGHT
All music written and produced by Patriarch. All rights reserved to Napalm Records.
#newalbum #newrelease #fullalbum #promotion #metal #Patriarkh #ProrokIlja #BlackMetal #AtmosphericBlackMetal #OrthodoxBlackMetal #SlavicFolk #EasternOrthodox #RitualMusic #PolishBlackMetal #FolkloreMetal #MysticMetal #Batushka #Mgla #Drudkh #HateForest #Saor #Grima #Kroda #NeguraBunget #WolvesInTheThroneRoom #NapalmRecords #Wierszalin #MonasticChants #SlavicMythology #BlackMetal2025
