Нахристихрящях

Whenever you run into a black metal elitist, you’ll notice that they will dismiss any band that has some kind of keyboard or synthesizers in their songs. They will just say that the band does not create a raw enough atmosphere and is not “sinister” enough with all those keyboards.

Well, Lucifugum’s “Nakhristikhryaschakh” proves them wrong, combining hateful black metal elements with symphonic keyboards in the background. Fortunately, nothing is truly drowned out. Nakhristikhryaschakh is without a doubt one of the best releases to come from Ukraine. Lucifugum is a band that has somewhat gone downhill over the years. Sure, they tend to release 2 albums a year, but in their current state, each release usually sounds the same and the production is so horrible that it’s really pointless to listen to. In the Nakhristikhryaschakh era, the lineup just ruled, with 2 Nokturnal Mortum members on keyboards and drums, while Bal-a-myth (RIP) and Faunus on guitars and bass/vocals respectively.

This album contains nine very aggressive and hateful songs. While the production is not that great, you can still hear everything that’s going on if you listen well.

Faunus’s vocals are vicious and poisonous, which fits well with the thundering drums and frantic guitar riffs. Then you have Saturious in the background with the excellent orchestra sounding parts.

The first track of the album starts off with a very eerie intro and after a minute, the song begins. Track 2, which I think means “The first and the last” is definitely the highlight of album. The keyboards in the middle of the song are very melodic while the vocals and guitars still create such a hateful atmosphere. Dare I say catchy? After listening to the song, you’ll probably have it stuck in your head; however that’s not a bad thing...

The rest of the songs follow the same formula, yet none sound the same. Repetition is a common problem in great black metal releases, but it doesn’t happen much on Nakhristikhryaschakh. All songs usually start out with either a very aggressive intro or a very sinister one. As the songs progress to the middle, keyboards and the orchestra-like synths become the highlights. Occasionally you’ll hear some ambient noises, such as wolves, fire, vultures, etc. The bass always plays an important role in songs such as I am Law!!!

The last song, which is the title track, is by far the most haunting song on the album. The drums just thunder and pound away while you hear the disturbing synths. What a great way to end album, with sounds of burning and then a flock of crows or vultures in the background that are probably circling the fire.


Have fun trying to translate the actual lyrics. Unless you speak Ukrainian or Russian, and also understand the Slavic writing it is written in, you can forget about trying to get what they are saying. However, you can assume the lyrical themes of this album are anti-Christian, hate, wolves, war, etc.

Overall, if you’re looking for a band that perfects the keyboards and guitars to fit in equally, Lucifugum does this very well on Nakhristikhryaschakh. With both types of instruments working together, you have a very hateful, chilling, haunting, evil, sinister, and melancholy atmosphere executed very well. This album is also an example of how poor production actually improves the music. (the biggest example being In the Nightside Eclipse).

Highlights: When Hatred Incinerates the Heavens, The First and the Last, Wolves (Part II), Renovation. You will not find a bad song on Nakhristikhryaschakh.

This is one of the more common Lucifugum albums, but I would suggest staying away from their newest stuff if you really enjoy Nakhristikhryaschakh.