![pamorak – demo i [demo]](https://www.vm-underground.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Pamorak-–-Pamorak-Demo-cover.jpg "Pamorak – Demo I [Demo]")
Many bands that have emerged from the soil roughly east of the Polish border have a rather unique and elusive sound. Something in those bands binds them, while there is also so much difference between all of them. After all, you can’t compare a band like Master’s Hammer to Walknut Yet these bands all have something in common that the sound of more from Western European countries do not. It’s a phenomenon that is hard to put into words, but once you immerse yourself in it, it will be hard to let go.
Belarus is one such country where perhaps not many bands come from, but I still have fond memories of the moment I first came into contact with Black Metal from this remarkable country – not even counting its current (geo-)political position. Around the turn of the millennium, I was in contact with Possession Records based in Mahiljoŭ and we exchanged cassette tapes, which is how I got in touch with, among others, Pagan, which is still special to me. That music has never let me go and consequently the love for Black Metal from these regions is deeply rooted in me.
So, when not too long ago I came across the Belarusian Niaisny via Medieval Prophecy Records, I was immediately sold. This band brought exactly that special sound that cannot be imitated by anyone else in the world. One of those prime components is a distinctive sense for a folky way of song writing, seamlessly incorporating many Folk-melodies and often acoustic passages.
It is exactly that combination of blistering Black Metal with a strong Pagan spirit and excellent folky melodies that is the core of Pamorak, a new entity in the Belarussian Black Metal scene – if there even is such a thing. Not all to surprisingly, Pamorak has sprung from the same minds that a brought us Niaisny some years earlier. And although there is enough that distinguishes both bands, there are also quite obvious parallels. Not only the basics of Eastern European Black Metal, that untouchable Pagan spirit, but both bands especially share a common musical signature when it comes to building tension and overall song writing.
The most striking thing with Pamorak is that it blends that trademark Eastern European, slightly atmospheric Black Metal with a more Scandinavian fingerprint. Especially in the parts where the keyboards tend to play a more dominant role and the pace slows down a bit, there is a strong ambiance of the Norwegian Black Metal of the mid 90’s. Think early Gehenna and Dimmu Borgir. So, weaving some classic Drudkh with equally classic Black Metal from Northern Europe makes for a delicate and sophisticated blend, even more so when it is poured in a tastefully raw production like is the case with this self-titled first demo tape.
Together with those two Niaisny demo tapes and the release of Stangarigel’s 2023 ‘Metafyzika Barbarstva’ 12” EP, the esteemed Medieval Prophecy Records label already looked Eastwards and with Pamorak they have found another gem from those mystic lands. ‘Pamorak’ is definitely a demo worth of picking up and leaves me eagerly awaiting what may come next.
Pamorak
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Medieval Prophecy Records
- Country: Belgium
- Style: Black Metal
- Links: Youtube
