While we find ourselves amidst the dense underground where it feels as though truly anything is possible, it’s always fantastic to find a band that can not only impress us and keep us on our toes but keep us hanging in suspense as we truly have no idea what’s going to come next. Having been a force to be reckoned with ever since their 2020 debut, Profeci is the epitome of such a band in my experience. Constantly challenging themselves and their personal brand of black metal, it’s now with their fourth effort that Profeci feels more effective and intimate than ever before.
Comprehending the lyrics in any body of work can easily lead to a different level of understanding, but there is something to be said when emotions and themes carry across linguistic boundaries with those oftentimes being a clear sign that what we’re dealing with is nothing short of an accomplished work. By every stretch of the imagination, Profeci has always been adept at delivering such performances, yet it is with everything brought forth throughout “Troska” that a definitive change has taken place within this Polish act despite me failing to pin exactly what it is that feels so dramatically different. “Troska” is euphorically ethereal at times as the vocal performance of the singer is likely the most dynamic and captivating that we’ve seen yet from Profeci with the songwriting, concepts, and closeness of the record itself coming together brilliantly in all eight of these tracks to tap into something that only exceptional black metal can. Even when Profeci finds itself pushing past the normal confines of black metal, one cannot deny the cathartic passion that’s at play in virtually every given minute of this creation. Profeci channeled something different with “Troska”, and it demands to be said that whatever goal they had was met with tremendous results to make this not just one of the most engaging works of their growing catalog of impressive craftsmanship, but, once again, likely one of the most striking works of black metal of the year.
Profeci has remained, if nothing else, constant in their time with “Troska” but the latest testament to the act’s growing prowess and presence in the vast underground. This is a record that must be experienced should you hope to come before an act that is carving out its own path without ever once compromising its vision for accessibility nor missing a single chance at delivering magnificence of a sort that we’re rarely treated to.
“Troska” releases on September 18th via Godz ov War Productions!
LISTEN to an advanced track from “Troska” on Bandcamp here.
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