Na pragu Baltika

"Na Pragu Baltika" is a five-song demo of ambient/folk/pagan black metal, of which only two songs fit in the metal category. But don't even think about turning away! Those two songs, "Na Pragu Baltika" and "Tijara Drevnih", are truly exceptional pagan black metal. Among the finest of the genre I've ever heard. And the two full-length ambient tracks are hauntingly memorable in their own right. Only the quick unnecessary "Drevni Prolazi" keeps this demo from a perfect score.

Let's begin on the metal side. Singer (also pianist) Rugiewit delivers a stirring performance with his grating rusty screech. Both in sound and in the sort of recessive placement of his vocal recording, he reminds me of Rob Darken's early work in Graveland. It's delightfully creepy when he uses his black metal croak over the piano ambience of "Glasnici Zime". His chants and whispers in that song and "Jelenov Poj" are equally effective.

Guitarist Isar plays repetitive yet utterly captivating riffs that you won't be able to shake out of your head. They're a kind of marching pace that perfectly match the atmosphere of ancient majesty Slavogorje is aiming for. Songs deal with the long-ago Slavic migrations across the harsh plains and swamps of Central Europe; and Isar's persistent tunes really get you up for the journey. Sound-wise, he plays with some of that typical buzzy thinness of East European black metal, yet somehow manages to crank out enough low end weight to offset the lack of bass. 

Verg's drumming is also well-suited to the style, albeit underused due to half the album being ambient. During vocal verses and choruses, he uses capable blastbeats. The deeper drums are a bit buried by the rawness of the mix; but the hectic storminess of his cymbal-crashing feels right without ever being tinny and annoying. In instrumental passages, he slows to an ominous trot, which also helps the full array of his kit get heard. Again, this speed is a perfect match for the transcendent mood of the voiceless parts.

The pure ambient side is a little out of my element to describe, but I still love it! Rugiewit's subtle piano melodies are dreamlike and catchy - they stand as songs, not just interludes between the pagan black metal bursts. I'm not sure who's singing on "Jelenov Poj", but she's wonderful. One hundred percent ghostly spirit, zero percent cheesy diva. I also really enjoy the wood chimes and flutes in the last song, played by recurring guest Zaria. They add even more natural, traditional character to fill out the minimalist base of Rugiewit's piano tunes. Would be nice if her role expanded on future albums!

At the moment there is nothing else I'd rather do for half an hour than listen to this top notch demo. From the title song's opening moments of water lapping on the shoreline, you'll know you're in for a treat. If you're new to what metal is offered from the ex-Yugoslav region, start here.