ljosazabojstwaI remember thinking when I first heard the old Polish metal band Christ Agony some years ago that it doesn’t get grimmer than this. This debut album from Belarusian band Ljosazabojstwa brought back that thought. “Staražytnaje licha” is more produced than you’d expect but it is still four tales of a harsh existence.

Actually, the first track of this EP has four separate and disparate movements. “Struk U Horła Chrysta” begins with gravelly doom, which is then broken up by an incongruous adventure film score before stepping back to brutal death metal, and finishing with a delicately melancholic acoustic ending. The tempo and crashing intensity increase through the title track and “Kamunija ahniom”. The latter finishes with another acoustic interlude but otherwise there’s no room for nonsense. “Kamunija ahniom” puts us through the mill. My Belarusian isn’t up to it, but if you told me it was about pain and suffering, I’d believe you. “Dzień Nawi” closes the album, and again it’s ramped up but with no loss of brutality or fire. Harsh and rasping as ever, this lively death metal assault unexpectedly features an exciting melody.

Ljosazabojstwa display their versatility over this interesting and enjoyable EP. I can’t say that I warmed to the little quirks of “Struk U Horła Chrysta”, but leaving that aside I appreciated the razor-sharp riffs and monotone vocals. At the heart of “Staražytnaje licha” is the grim and deep mood, which Ljosazabojstwa convey impressively.

(7.5/10 Andrew Doherty)

https://hellthrasherproductions.bandcamp.com/album/stara-ytnaje-licha