The ruthless indifference of nature toward the immaterial throes of moribund sentience is testament to the level of force necessary to mill and compact the cyclic layering of human detritus. Within the systemic churn of life and death the resilience of the psyche will never equal the flesh that’d conjure it as we consider the entropic exchange necessary to weaken ’til dissolve (’til return) a monstrous demand, an inferno’s worth of heat. Enraptured by the grand, morbid turning of the wheel as they muse upon the ephemeral nature of life Lublin, Poland-based black metal trio PIOŁUN greet nature as a true force of dangerous wonderment, viewing death as a spectacularly oppressive necessity on this sullen sophomore full-length album. A truly enriched sequel, ‘Exolvuntur‘ trades in rushing and riveting atmospheric clime in order to express the existential dreariness of the band’s muse, a voice which develops expressive melodic depth as its resound turns to melancholic-anthemic introversion. Though the emotionally driven waves created are not-so cryptically read in stages of torment and stoic reflection the greater sonic effect is torn between the softly hifalutin majesty available to moderne black metal’s faux cinematic aspirations and the attack of fundaments built off classicist interest.

Piołun formed as a duo circa 2019 by way of vocalist/guitarist Sorh (Mānbryne, ex-Blaze of Perdition) and drummer Vitor with the intent of creating music inspired by classic Scandinavian and Polish black metal which was yet built from their own nowadays point of view. The tone of their work thus far has been internally dissatisfied with the present day wherein a basal melancholia follows what is ultimately nostalgic craft (black metal) given a refined and emotive voice to suit their state(s) of mind. Via natural associations with Sorh‘s previous band and some comparisons to Mgła their notable debut LP (‘Rzeki Goryczy‘, 2022) received plenty enough praise for its slickly produced, semi-melodic atmospheric intensity. At the time I think they’d stood out to me for being less interested in atmoblack and post-metal structures than some of their peers, though you’ll find a bit of each in both of their records.

‘Exolvuntur‘ does not exit the realm created by ‘Rzeki Goryczy‘ but instead deepens its channel by way of myriad sharpened knives wherein we find polished production values and intensified focus on melodic guitar work speaking to tunneling immerse throughout. “Manifest Kresu” acts as the waking chest-forth push of the experience, an opener which buzzes through its fast-waltzing intrigue via alternating step n’ stride movement wherein post-black search is set atop steadily hammered pulse. There is some natural competition between the rigidly hissing scowl of Sorh‘s vocals and the potentially more alluring tremolo-picked leads set on high within this first salvo and the assigned tension created acts as decent enough spectacle outright. The resounding lushness of the album’s production values (via über-maestro Grunberg at Satanic Audio) stand out as great boon in this sense, particularly if you’d appreciated some of the buzzing edge of the previous album, as here we find it a deeper billowing vector for a piece which intends to be as heavy-hearted as it is anthemic.

“Sierpniowy Brzask” is the beauteous delve of the album, the breaching of the second layer, the viscous gushing loose of blood from wound as it reverberates downward in golden-handed gesture. The soar of atmospheric black metal is there to be sure but dealt equally in the context of melodic black metal (from a non-death metal prompted experience) wherein scaling tremolo picked melodies and their second-guitar framing create storming, incessantly rushing waves of intrigue. This initial voicing is prettied but frantic within its melodramatic fuss and fray, a softly battered froth which speaks to dissolution and wilt as much as it powers along beneath determined, somewhat declarative rant. The sonic depth of ‘Exolvuntur‘ pours from this song most readily though it relates rather than overtakes what the throbbing, chest-set push the opener established. What momentum Piołun introduce within the first two piece on this second album is enough to carry their idea through its ~37 minute tunnel.

From that point the listener can quickly identify the core dynamic of each piece as fairly similar wherein structures gleaned from 90’s melodicism are given to some manner of post-black/atmoblack decadence, perhaps far from the face value effect of Sacramentum in most cases but not so distant from records like ‘Blood in Our Wells‘ per the guitar work alone. Of course there are more modern equivalencies available but the blend of driving movement and searching arc of riff speaks most clearly to the fallout beyond ‘With Hearts Towards None‘ from my point of view. “Kolo Zycia” features a bit of everything on order, even trampling up brief heavy metallic stride as it concludes, as it could be considered a most representative chunk of the action found within the album; Though there is admittedly resounding sameness spread across the whole of ‘Exolvuntur‘ I’d found late album-set piece “Próba Sznura” a standout, not so much for the familiar soar of its main verse riff but for the trotting refrains which surround the soaring centre of its movement. It is a marginally different tension afforded an album of largely uniform stance but a necessary peak before the closing piece dives into its melodramatic exit.

Piołun‘s efforts aren’t so wildly different in effect on this second go but one could argue their methods are clearly bent toward establishing a clear and consistent voice, intent which is all the more apparent via the lucid depth of the production values afforded the full listen. The affectation of their work is not-so much rewritten as it is enhanced, more capable as one’d expect via the years between. I’d admired the band’s work as an extension and refinement of their original idea rather than a complete change of authorship and was pleased to find that continuity of purpose is likewise conveyed within the aesthetic design/layout of the album otherwise. It is an ideal second draft from a band built around a familiar yet personalized vision of black metal as emotional conduit. A high recommendation.

http://malignantvoices.com/

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