This debut album by Polish band Hore is characterised as post-black metal, avant-garde jazz and film music. True to their label, the title means “The Witch Sisters”.

The album starts in heavy sombre tones. The atmosphere is funereal, save the meanderings of the drummer. The vocals evoke despair and suffering in their raucousness. “Drwimy jak grom” (We Mock Like A Thunderbolt) hangs over us like a guillotine waiting to come down. This has power and sinister venom. Crows cry overhead. The atmosphere is one of foreboding. A saxophone squeals. The air is riddled with terror. We are dragged to the swamp. The vocalist croaks. The pace picks up. The saxophone squeals wildly. But scene remains ultra-dark and threatens to burst out of control. “Bije raz, dwa, trzy…” (The Beat Goes One, Two, Three) is unusual in its form and title, which seems to have no relationship with the dark fare that it is. The title track is more a conventional metal assault come growl fest, with impressionist old style death metal drumming and the swirling saxophone sound.

The birds sing on “Król Olch” (King of Alders) but this can only be vultures. A dark monotone beat and industrial-black metal sound are accompanied by a sinister voice. The tempo intensifies. It dies out as if the band don’t want to waste any more time on us. “W chrustach” (In Brushwood) starts melodically but soon the ferocious assault is on. Destruction is in the air. The beat pounds. It is harsh. The process continues with no subtlety and seeks to grind us down with its power – great track, no frills. Frills are somewhere else. “Pieśń ma była już w grobie” (The Song Has Already Been in the Grave) is noteworthy for its melancholy. The saxophone takes us away. This is the harsh Polish black metal version of a ballad. “Biesy” (Devils) is more thrashy and vigorous. Fun isn’t really the right word but it has momentum. So does the driving “Księżnę dziś pochowano” (The Duchess Was Buried Today). The rhythm is like a train. The atmosphere intensifies once more as the juggernaut continues before closing mysteriously and atmospherically.

The musicianship on this album is accomplished. The songs are in a black metal style but interpreted to create interesting moods, aided by the withering saxophone and a lively yet harsh energy. This is an interesting band with interesting ideas. “Siostry Wiedźmy”” is worth checking out.

(8/10 Andrew Doherty)

https://www.facebook.com/horeofficial

https://witchinghourproductions.bandcamp.com/album/siostry-wied-my