For everything that the vast expanse of black metal can bring to the table, it never ceases to amaze me that the sound can become as majestic and magical as it can be harsh and singularly unforgiving. It’s something that can still absolutely mesmerize so long as the right elements are taken into consideration and the proper care is taken into channeling those otherworldly factors in order to ensure the natural realm is given justice. Fortunately, there are still those that are able to deliver such glory in no small amount. With their third album, Slava Zima proves to be an impressive name of that very sort.
Whenever folk elements are at the forefront of the material in question, it’s oftentimes the case that I find the ceiling for greatness to be far higher given how much splendor and glory there is to be had given the artists in question know what they’re doing and don’t leave such possibilities unfulfilled, leaving us wishing there was more. Slava Zima may have only gotten its start five years ago, but it’s in those five years that the Belarussian act has remained not just busy but quite focused in bringing its vision to life. Throughout the eight tracks of “Smiarotny”, we’re given a magnificent display of deep understanding of what it means to deliver black metal that’s enhanced beautiful by folk instrumentation and laced with more than a few aspects of doom to make for a performance that’s as tantalizing as it is effortless to become lost within. Slava Zima clearly pulled from their experience and lessons learned in the crafting of their previous two efforts to ensure that “Smiarotny” is anything but just another creation destined to become lost throughout the endless ranks of the underground. Rather, it’s through clear vision and a superb level of talent that easily puts Slava Zima apart from much of the competition. They do their culture justice with this gorgeous material and allow their genre to flourish to gorgeous effect throughout the absolute entirety of the album’s run. Not only is this a highlight for Slava Zima’s growing catalog, but an indisputable victory for the genre as a whole.
Compared to last year, 2026 has been quite sparce in its delivery of black-folk metal that manages to capitalize on much of what the sound is able to throw down, but it is here that the year will once again see proper representation and glory thanks to what Slava Zima has accomplished here. While far from the most grandiose and otherworldly piece of the genre that we’ve ever heard, one cannot deny the spirit and prowess that went into every inch of “Smiarotny” to make it the spectacular journey that it is.
“Smiarotny” releases on December 4th via Solistitium Records!
LISTEN to an advanced track from “Smiarotny” on Bandcamp here.
FOLLOW Slava Zima on Instagram here.