Batushka is a band that redefines black metal by creating an experience that can pull you into a realm of darkness like no other. They are able to create a sonic ritual that can chill you with darkness or sedate you with it at the same time. Their music is able to make a listener develop imagery and emotion with a sound that can be familiar to some but fresh to many. With their new album, Hospodi they are able to reinforce their signature sound and create a new and greater realm of sonic imagery.

Opening with Wozglas, Batushka pulls you in with a very unsettling and ritualistic atmosphere with the sound of satanic prayers and church bells, instilling the listener into the environment. With the next track Dziewiatyi Czasm, it starts off with a similar eeriness and distorted guitars that slowly pull you further into the realm of darkness. It is slow, moody, dreamy and atmospheric. Everything then kicks into a melodic realm of black metal that is evil and beautiful at the same time. When you get to track number three which is titled Wieczernia, it starts off very dreamy and atmospheric. You get an essence of imagery before the melodic guitars and steady rhythm kicks in. Underneath the screams and dusty guitars has a ritualistic element that showcases both the darkest and most beautiful essence of Batushka. Different tempos are utilized which helps keep an element of suspense. Powieczerje follows, which picks right up from the melody of the previous track with a very somber tone, then these doomy and melodic guitars lead in with a great flowing rhythm. The melody is consistent and brings in new atmospheric elements to keep this consistent song unique. Once you get into Polunosznica, you re-enter a pure ritual before a great bridge of clean and distorted guitars kick in which helps you really get a feel of the multiple sides of this group. The next track, Utrenia completely abandons the build-up element by kicking right in at first. The riffs continue using the element of repetition while that vocals experiment. Pierwyj Czas has very quick and tame melody before kick right into a super powerful satanic anthem. The scream in the intro pulls you right in and then goes full speed and delivers a very uncompromising side. Brings back the melody you hear in the beginning and ties both the heaviest and most sensitive sides of the group within this one song. Tretij Czas leads you in with doomy guitar tones after a ritualistic choir. This particular track gets more and more heavy as it moves along and you discover more and more with each passing second of the song. Szestoj Czas follows and then it kicks right in with power and pure heaviness. The ritualistic elements combined with the distortion being able to crate its own distinct effect and tone. It is as if Batushka created their very own guitar pedal that you cannot access anywhere else. This album ends with  Liturgiya and they ended this album on a perfect note by being able to utilize a formula that we have been earing through the entire record while managing to keep it interesting. You get one last ritual chant to start it off. The melody signifies the end. This slow beat emerges from the shadows before delivering an epic end to a beautifully dark record. By ending on a slower tempo, you are able to appreciate the melody of this song that signifies the end of this ritual.

Batushka is able to create more than an album, but an experience. Their performance last year at Knitting Factory in Brooklyn got many fans on board and demonstrates that they are able to do more than just create music. They are able to create an atmosphere, a ritual, emotion and so much more.

Hospodi is out via Metal Blade Records