Demo

Once I was checking Encyclopedia Metallum for news and suddenly I saw in recently submitted bands something called Zywiolak. Well, it sounded funny, so I downloaded this demo from MySpace. It took me a while to learn how to download mp3s from MySpace, but that´s another story.

So the first song of the demo „O jana kupala“ begins with that weird instrument, hurdy gurdy (or at least I think that´s hurdy gurdy), some bass guitar in the background and some folk metal drumming. Entire song is sang by a woman. You can´t hear any guitars in this album, only the bass forming background for hurdy gurdy, violins, and all other of these weird instruments that folk bands are using. But the folk melody used here is very nice, at 1min 56 seconds starts some nice folk solo. I like the song, but I think that these melodies aren´t for everyone, someone may not like them. I am from Slovakia, close to Poland, these melodies remind me of our Slovak folklore and culture.

Second one, „Dybuk“, reveals their metal side, heavy bass and man, Robert "Mroku" Wasilewski, speaking with low growly voice. And a woman sang melody that reminds me of one Slovak folkloric song, but now I am not able to figure out which one is it. I really appreciate the use of Jew's harp in this song. Those who don´t know what is Jew's harp, go google it, you are missing a part of Slavic culture.

And the last one, my very favourite, „Epopeja wandalska“. With awesome catchy folk melody this song is a kickass! And I don´t even think this song belongs to category named „metal“ by our ancestors, but it´s simply amazing. Nothing more to add here, it´s a perfect song.

This band is worth checking on MySpace (I doubt that you will find this demo in your local CD shop, and besides, why, when it´s on their MySpace site.) Although I gave it only 82%, because there are only tree songs and the quality isn´t the best. So go and check it out.