Athenaeum Of Sin (Seven Sins): Oskrnavitelj, Pradavni Review

Oskrnavitelj is a Serbian black metal band that was established in 2021. On 19 August 2023, the band released their debut full-length Pradavni through Fetzner Death Records and promoted via The Metallist PR.

Oskrnavitelj, Pradavni Review: This review will evaluate every aspect of the album, from its intricate musical composition to its production.

The First Three Sins, The Summary

The First Sin, The Strings/Keys: Features dark, unpolished, tremolo-picked riffs, complemented by haunting, emotive melodies, while the bass provides a crucial foundation. The Second Sin, The Vocals: Involves vocals with a high-pitched, hissing tone. The Third Sin, The Percussions: Unleashes a torrent of blast beats and double bass pedal action, driving the music’s fierce tempo forward.

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The Fourth Sin, Overall Discussion

Setting the Atmosphere: A Dark and Stormy Beginning

As soon as the listener presses that play button, the opening piece, Интро (Intro), greets the listener with the sound of a thunderstorm and howling wolves—setting the grim tone for what follows.

The Sonic Experience: Oskrnavitelj’s Raw Artistry

Following suit with the second piece, Оскрнавитељ (Oskrnavitelj), and the remaining seven pieces. Oskrnaviteljoffers a dark and extreme fruit of art of eight songs, spread across under forty minutes. Pradavni embodies a raw and traditional/old-school aesthetic, deeply intertwined with Serbian heritage. Simultaneously, the band’s lyrics, written in Serbian, explore themes of misanthropy, darkness, blasphemy, death, evil, nature, and, once more, ancestral heritage.

Authenticity Over Originality: The Spirit of Traditional Black Metal

As the listener continues their journey, they will uncover something distinctive about Oskrnavitelj. Their album Pradavni, meaning Ancient, might not showcase original components, but it delivers a raw sound, captivating production, and deep themes. It offers the listener an authenticity that remains true to the traditional black metal spirit. Furthermore, the sound, arrangement, and production intentionally avoid modern refinement, choosing instead a more primal and atmospheric essence, evoking the feeling of being captured in the cold and dark wilderness of the unknown…

Instrumentation: Crafting the Raw Soundscape

Oskrnavitelj’s album, Pradavni immerses listeners in guitar sounds that wrap around their ears with dark, unpolished, tremolo-picked riffs, complemented by haunting, emotional melodies. Although the bass riffs are partially sparse, they provide a crucial foundation that supports the band’s raw sonic identity. While the riffs maintain a steady style throughout, certain tracks like Prognanik and Kad Je Mesec Pun introduce variations, featuring mid-tempo drumming and narrative-style vocals.

The Driving Force of Chaos & The Dark Presence

Simultaneously, the drums unleash a torrent of blast beats and double bass pedal action, driving the music’s fierce tempo forward. At times, the unyielding drumming, echoing the style of Darkthrone, showcases a vibrant quality, amplifying the diverse tempos and intensities of the guitar work. The vocals, fronted by Ivana “Vrika” Savić, deliver a dark and gritty sound, marked by a high-pitched, hissing tone that blends seamlessly into the atmospheric fabric of the music.

Strengths and Shortcomings: Atmosphere vs. Memorability

Pradavni embodies a dark essence and traditional black metal. Nevertheless, one of the album’s key strengths is its atmosphere, yet it falls short in terms of memorability. I genuinely wish the band had infused some aspects of Serbian heritage to enhance the album’s depth and intensity. However, I find myself questioning the intended delivery of the vocals. I would prefer them to be a touch angrier or possess a bit more edge.

Closing Reflections: A Testament to Old-School Black Metal

As the album draws to a close, with the final track, Хладно руно планина (Hladno runo planina). We want to thank both Fetzner Death Records and The Metallist PR for letting us review Oskrnavitelj and their album Pradavni. We will wrap it up by discussing the final three sins and concluding the review.

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The Fifth Sin, The Memorabilia

Ultimately, the album presents a fruit of art atmosphere that envelops the listener, pulling them into its dark and raw soundscape. Yet, this intense journey is slightly hindered by the issue of memorability, as numerous tracks (felt) blend into the background instead of making a memorable impact. Despite this challenge, the general evaluation of the album is also a challenge; it invites listeners to explore its nuances while also testing their ability to recall its key moments.

The Sixth Sin, The Artwork

I’m unsure about the artwork

The Seventh Sin, Disrelish

Before concluding the review, I must mention two aspects that I find disappointing in the musical realm of Oskrnavitelj. I apologize for this, but first, the artwork, and then the vocals, which, despite having considerable experience, do not connect (fail to deliver) with me. While the record encapsulates the essence of old-school black metal with its raw and atmospheric style, certain elements—such as memorability, artwork, and vocal execution—could have been refined for a more profound impact.

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The Hymns

01. Интро (Instrumental Intro)
02. Оскрнавитељ (Oskrnavitelj)
03. Окован (Okovan)
04. Прогнаник (Prognanik)
05. Кад je месец пун (Kad je mesec pun)
06. Бескрај (Beskraj)
07. Крв вучија (Krv Vučija)
08. Barpo6 (Vagrob)
09. Хладно руно планина (Hladno runo planina)