BLAZE OF PERDITION
BLAZE OF PERDITION “Upharsin”
By Lord Randall
BLAZE OF PERDITION has made a name for itself in a country known for a blistering, SLAYER-ized take on both black and death metal by adding a fluidity and sense of peaks and valleys that has thus far set it apart from the more known exports of Poland. On its second for Metal Blade, the band has taken the bold step of releasing “Upharsin” in their native tongue, a first for them when it comes to full lengths.
At once, ‘W kwiecie rozlamu’ seems more outwardly abrasive, but soon enough moves into a mid-paced (don’t call it a) groove leading into the chorus. Though the treble-heavy attack of black metal is strongly represented, session bassist Wyrd holds his own admirably, not only keeping up with but seemingly thriving in the aural upheavals and more ordered moments.
‘Przez rany’ trudges forward, not clumsily, but weighted and insistent, constant and almost gladiatorial in its regimented march and rarely-shifting patterns, the hectic and slicing solo work barely contained.
As if to make up for lost time, ‘Niezmywalne’ races ahead in the verses, offering false respite in the choruses and abbreviated measured passages, only to snatch us into the whirlwind once more.
The drum work of ‘Architekt’ instantly stands out, undulating at times, inhumanly speed-driven at others, yet ever pervasive. Closing with the 9+ minute ‘Milot, miecz i bat’ (English translation: ‘Hammer, Sword And Whip’), the fivesome stirs the elements into a cosmic blend confirming that – despite the band has reverting to a more overtly primal attack on this outing – they’re unified in their desire to create something defiantly and proudly out of the norm.
BLAZE OF PERDITION are craftsmen, first and foremost, blackened smiths forging iron will with fire. “Upharsin” continues the work.