Zdrada Iskariota – Upad​ł​y tryumfator [EP]

This is the Polish band Zdrada Iskariota’s ‘Upadły tryumfator’ EP (Fallen Triumphant). The band name translates to something like ‘Betrayal of Iscariot’. On their Youtube channel the band describes themselves as ‘Old School Black Metal from the basement in dirty Kraków’ which sounds spot on, these guys are emerging out of that dirty Kraków basement with something nasty here. Like the chainmail-adorned dude on the cover these guys are keeping the flame alive with cold steel raised high.

There’s a short synth intro before getting dropped into the middle of a doomed calvary charge across plains in the year 1350. I would say this is ‘second-wave style ripping high speed assault’ Metal. The synth additions to the first couple tracks sound very different- on the former the synth sounds are epic and triumphant, and the following track ‘Kielich pełen żółci’ ‘A Cup Full of Bile’, they lend
much more somber and solemn tones over the music. The drums here on this song are relentless – the drummer is a pleasure to listen to and strikes a balance between speed and control. Vocals are a strained shout for the most part like an ancient ghost howling distantly in a crypt deep underground.

My favourite track here is maybe the third one, ‘Piekielny legion’ ~ ‘In Hell’s Legion’, this one rips out of the gate and goes into this mysterious mid-tempo part and slower chorus that really hits. As the pace picks back up the drumming sounds like a group of horses on amphetamines galloping wildly into battle which is very fucking epic. Lots of rock parts of the mid-paced variety, plenty of power and fury with a handful of ‘Evil Overlord Looking Over A Valley of Fire’ sounding parts that were probably recorded while the band was wearing sunglasses, and despite that the blasts are never too far away which I appreciate – the pace is kept high and the tension remains. I really like some of the riffs in the final/title track, it had some stand out moments to me.

On the second half of the EP there’s some great sounding ‘old Casio keyboard’ synth tones being utilized with the addition of a giant timpani sounding drum patch that booms distantly, lurking ominously in the background like thunder on the distant horizon. Sections/riffs move along and grow out of each other smoothly. This region of the world typically makes some excellent black metal and this band is no exception. Another excellent Polish band to add to the rotation who adds their own spin to the second wave old school Black Metal sound.