Five years after the acclaimed Hospodi, PATRIARKH returns with ПРОРОК ИЛИЯ (Prophet Elijah), a bold and mesmerizing concept album that immerses listeners in the dark and enigmatic history of the Orthodox Grzybowska Sect. Rooted in the true tale of Eliasz Klimowicz—a self-proclaimed prophet of 1930s Podlasie—this eight-track opus is an evocative exploration of folklore, faith, and mysticism.
The album is divided into eight movements, each titled “WIERSZALIN” (a Latin transliteration of “ВЕРШАЛИН”), evoking the name of the sect’s spiritual commune. Each piece represents a chapter in Klimowicz’s rise and eventual descent, with the progression carrying listeners through a haunting tapestry of sacred hymns, blackened fury, and pastoral folk.
PATRIARKH’s storytelling approach—integrating Polish lyrics, liturgical chant, and excerpts from the play Prorok Ilja—makes the album as much a theatrical experience as a musical one. The use of multi-language lyrics, including Polish for the first time, enhances the connection to its roots while extending its reach into universal themes of devotion and fanaticism.
Track Highlights
- “WIERSZALIN I”: Opening with an austere Orthodox chant, this track builds slowly into a storm of tremolo riffs and thunderous percussion, setting the tone for the spiritual and emotional journey ahead.
- “WIERSZALIN III”: A highlight of the album, this track melds folk instrumentation—mandocello and dulcimer—with a crushing blackened backbone. The interplay of Варфоломей’s guttural growls and choral harmonies feels like a dialogue between the sacred and the profane.
- “WIERSZALIN V”: A somber interlude, featuring plaintive strings and hypnotic tagelharpa melodies. This track showcases PATRIARKH’s ability to strip back their sound while retaining emotional intensity.
- “WIERSZALIN VIII”: The album’s grand finale is an apocalyptic soundscape where symphonic grandeur collides with the raw energy of black metal. Choirs chant over layers of orchestral strings, while Варфоломей delivers his most ferocious performance, evoking the chaos of Klimowicz’s ultimate downfall.
PATRIARKH expands their sonic palette significantly on ПРОРОК ИЛИЯ. While their Orthodox-blackened core remains, the integration of folk instruments like hurdy gurdy, mandolin, and tagelharpa enriches the soundscape, adding depth and authenticity. The symphonic elements, crafted in collaboration with orchestras and choirs, elevate the album to cinematic proportions.
Their exploration of Byzantine monody and Russian polyphony, paired with the raw aggression of black and doom metal, creates a unique sound that is as otherworldly as it is grounded in cultural tradition.
One of the standout tracks on ПРОРОК ИЛИЯ, “WIERSZALIN III,” is a powerful collaboration that brings together the haunting vocal prowess of PATRIARKH’s Варфоломей with the folkloric authenticity of Andrzej Strug and the charismatic artistry of Maciej Maleńczuk. This track exemplifies the album’s ability to merge traditional and avant-garde elements into a seamless narrative.
Strug’s folk-tinged voice and Maleńczuk’s raw, expressive delivery weave a stark contrast to the blackened undertones, creating a dynamic push and pull between modern darkness and timeless tradition. The result is a layered, emotionally resonant piece that deepens the album’s exploration of mysticism and the human spirit.
This collaboration underscores PATRIARKH’s commitment to pushing boundaries, blending Poland’s rich cultural heritage with the relentless force of black metal. It’s an essential listen for those drawn to music that challenges conventions while honoring its roots.
“WIERSZALIN IV” stands out on ПРОРОК ИЛИЯ as a haunting and ethereal track, amplified by the stunning vocals of Eliza Sacharczuk. Her voice brings a delicate, almost otherworldly quality to the piece, creating a stark contrast with the album’s typically intense and raw black metal sound.
The track opens with a minimalistic folk arrangement, allowing Sacharczuk’s vocals to take center stage. Her performance feels like a spiritual invocation, evoking a sense of ritualistic reverence. As the song progresses, PATRIARKH weaves in their signature black metal elements—heavy guitars, pounding drums, and choral arrangements—yet Sacharczuk’s haunting voice remains the emotional core.
This fusion of delicate folk and blistering metal perfectly encapsulates PATRIARKH’s ability to blend contrasting elements into a seamless, emotionally charged narrative. “WIERSZALIN IV” is a moment of contrast and beauty within the album, showing the band’s mastery in balancing light and dark, serenity and aggression. It’s a track that will resonate deeply with listeners who appreciate atmospheric and evocative storytelling through music.
Recorded in some of Poland’s top studios and mastered at Hertz Studio by Wojciech Wiesławski, the album boasts immaculate production. Every element—whether the delicate tones of folk instruments or the abrasive edge of distorted guitars—is meticulously balanced, allowing the album’s multi-layered compositions to shine.
ПРОРОК ИЛИЯ is an ambitious and deeply immersive work that solidifies PATRIARKH’s reputation as one of black metal’s most innovative forces. It’s a sonic pilgrimage into a forgotten world, blending raw intensity with pastoral beauty and spiritual weight.
With its rich narrative, innovative instrumentation, and evocative atmosphere, ПРОРОК ИЛИЯ is more than an album—it’s an experience. For fans of Behemoth, Wardruna, and Deathspell Omega, this is essential listening.
Tracklist:
1. WIERSZALIN I (Lat.) – ВЕРШАЛИН I (Cyrillic)
2. WIERSZALIN II (Lat.) – ВЕРШАЛИН II (Cyrillic)
3. WIERSZALIN III (Lat.) – ВЕРШАЛИН III (Cyrillic)
4. WIERSZALIN IV (Lat.) – ВЕРШАЛИН IV (Cyrillic)
5. WIERSZALIN V (Lat.) – ВЕРШАЛИН V (Cyrillic)
6. WIERSZALIN VI (Lat.) – ВЕРШАЛИН VI (Cyrillic)
7. WIERSZALIN VII (Lat.) – ВЕРШАЛИН VII (Cyrillic)
8. WIERSZALIN VIII (Lat.) – ВЕРШАЛИН VIII (Cyrillic)
PATRIARKH live 2024:
Asia & Australia Prophecy 2024
29.11.24 TH – Bangkok / Mr.Fox Livehouse
01.12.24 HK – Hong Kong / MOM Livehouse
03.12.24 CN – Shanghai / MAO Livehouse
04.12.24 CN – Beijing / Omnispace
06.12.24 KOR – Seoul / West Bright Hall
07.12.24 TW – Taipei
09.12.24 JP – Tokyo / Shibuya Club Asia
12.12.24 NZ – Auckland / Tuning Fork
13.12.24 AUS – Melbourne / Max Watts
NOWY WIERSZALIN Poland 2025
03.01.25 PL – Łódź / Wytwórnia – SINFONIA ORTHODOXIA w/symphonic orchestra and male choir
22.02.25 PL – Krosno / Rock Klub Iron
07.03.25 PL – Wrocław / Transformator
08.03.25 PL – Zabrze / CK Wiatrak
09.03.25 PL – Kraków / HYPE PARK
14.03.25 PL – Lublin / Fabryka Kultury Zgrzyt
15.03.25 PL – Olsztyn / Scena Zgrzyt
16.03.25 PL – Warszawa / Klub Proxima
17.03.25 PL – Białystok / Zmiana Klimatu
21.03.25 PL – Gdynia / Podwórko.art
22.03.25 PL – Szczecin / Kosmos
23.03.25 PL – Poznań / 2progi
PATRIARKH are:
ЛЕХ – drums
МОНАХ ТАРЛАХАН – guitars
МОНАХ БОРУТА – guitars
АРХАНГЕЛ МИХАИЛ – guitars
ХИАЦЫНТОС ЯЦА – choir
ЯЗЫЧНИК – choir
ВАРФОЛОМИЕЙ – vocals 
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