First impressions – brutal punishing, black metal with gravelly demonic vocals. Track four “The Potion” has been released as the second single from The Devil’s Vertep, and stood out to me for its slow rhythm and instrumental groove.

The Devil’s Vertep follows the historical tale of witch trials in 1753-54 in western Ukraine. With song titles like Infantocide, Investigation, Torture & Confession, The Potion, Nest of the Witches and Verdicts, the titles give a good idea of what the album is about, but the lyrics are also worth reading to get the full story. It follows the story of Yevka Stanorykha, who commits infanticide from a loveless marriage with the help of a witch’s potion, and the ensuing trial. That being said it’s tough to decipher whether the lyrics are in English, or Ukrainian with the raw gravelly vocal style, but either way it adds to the harshness of the story. I recommend reading the lyrics while listening to the album because it strongly adds to the atmosphere.

The Devil’s Vertep opens with a black metal groove that kicks things off showing the relentless punishment of what’s to come. What more do you really want from black metal aside from a wall of sound in a bleak environment? Whether the pummelling tremolo guitar work or the stand out cymbal work, the album is impressive both musically and from a storytelling point of view.

My favourite track on The Devil’s Vertep is “The Potion”. I really liked how it starts off in a normal black metal fashion that evolves into a melodic groovy section for the second half of the song.

I’ll admit I haven’t known about Windswept for that long, but since discovering Roman Seyenko’s project I have become a fan. Being a member of the Ukrainian black metal band Drudkh, I had an idea of what The Devil’s Vertep might sound like. Although both bands are under the black metal umbrella, Windswept is less atmospheric and more about the brutality of being burned at the stake or being chopped limb from limb like one of the unfortunate characters, Oryshka, in The Devil’s Vertep.

I’m a big fan of the album cover done by Obsidian Bone. The bright color is a contrast to the theme of the album, and the depiction of a body having been torn apart with a stake pushed through the heart reminds us that the witch trials were real and that history can be more frightening than fiction.

Ultimately The Devil’s Vertep is a fiercely intense album that at times can be quite melodic and very raw. Going through the lyrics as you listen adds a lot to the experience, and I would recommend giving them a read as you listen.