Pusty wieczór

Pusty Wieczor is Gontyna Kry's second demo (as far as I know), and is an experience to behold. Ranging from clean folk passages to extreme black metal violence, it is perhaps an all-encompassing statement of what Gontyna Kry is, and where they are(were) going.

Discussion of individual songs is pointless, it has to be heard as a whole. Suffice it to say that there are two main themes on the album. The first is the folk part, of which there is no metal involved. Perhaps this is meant to symbolize a idealized past of sorts, in which metal, black or otherwise, simply isn't needed. At any rate, it's quite stirring, and almost makes the listener feel Polish.

The black metal parts are an extreme contrast. The production is so bad that the details are practically indistinguishable. As such, those looking for technical mastery had best look elsewhere, these songs have to be not so much listened to, as experienced. A folk lament, followed by a feral blast of rage. The vocals are howled rasps, at first barely separable from the guitars. The percussion is indistinct. The one thing that comes through clearly is the synth, which plays somewhat regal melodies. It all makes for a rather polarized experience.

You can definitely hear the roots of Welowie here, that same sort of simplistic, short style that seems to work so well. It's amazing how Polish it all sounds, very interesting to hear a band that makes it clear where they come from, and where they've been. If you are a fan of folk black, then this should be right up your alley. If you aren't, get it anyway.