Of all the countries out of Europe that are churning out black metal the likes of which cannot be denied for one reason or another, Poland is certainly one that I find one of the most compelling not just because it’s a subversion of expectations since most of us think of Scandinavia in all things metal in Europe, but the consistency of the bands from all over can be downright staggering at times. There is virtually always something to be heard from the Polish no matter when or where you look, and it’s with their very first album that Signs of the Dying Summer provide a fabulous example as to why that is still extremely true and relevant.

Right out of the gate, it’s important to note that not only is this the first album from Signs of the Dying Summer like I said, but they have only been in existence since last year with each musician taking part in at least one other act outside of this one. It’s that last factor that makes the marvel that is “Oto jest Pustka” make a little more sense as it’s everything outside of that which boggles the mind as you’re left to wonder how three guys who have been performing as a unit for barely a year can come together and craft such a fleshed out and exhilarating work like what we’ve got here for these six potent tracks. While it’s the pure form black metal that we are treated to here that takes the stage as the main attraction for everything that this debut brings to the table, it’s the very forward use of melody and rhythmic hooks laced into every minute of each track that makes this record so invigorating to listen to as Signs of the Dying Summer not only tempt your attention from the start but keep you gripped for the entire ride. That alone makes the very whole of “Oto jest Pustka” a black metal marvel as a debut with this band doing nothing but a tremendous job to make a first impression with any given track off of this record being single-worthy in order to properly tempt any potential listeners into this immensely attractive trap that Signs of the Dying Summer has laid with great care and stratagem all but fantastically alluring.

Such a work of black metal like what’s been crafted here is the kind of excellence that I think many of us are constantly craving from the style simply because it’s not often enough that we get a worthwhile go at that sound to the point that it leaves us truly satisfied, and that’s just another piece to the puzzle of why Signs of the Dying Summer is such a compelling act here. Even if we were to ignore this being a debut, “Oto jest Pestka” has so much to offer right unto the very end and I absolutely cannot wait to see what this band will be able to make in the future as they, hopefully, age like a fine wine.

“Oto jest Pustka” releases on November 21st via Godz ov War Productions!

LISTEN to an advanced track from “Oto jest Pustka” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Signs of the Dying Summer on Facebook here.