Garota & Scrüda – Czerń Północy

Czerń Północy (The Blackness Of The North) is a split release featuring two Polish bands, namely Garota and Scrüda. It has been released through Godz Ov War Productions, containing seven tracks and clocks in just over 21 minutes.

Tracklist:

Garota “Zapomniane groby”
Garota “Mój czarny rytuał trwa”
Garota “Gdzie wiedźmy tańczą nago z diabłem”
Scrüda “To idzie”
Scrüda “Wężowe serce nienawiści”
Scrüda “Dno”
Scrüda “Sąd ostateczny”

The music both bands perform can be summed up as ‘black, thrash, death and speed metal’. First thing one can notice, something that might raise a few eyebrows, is the fact that Czerń Północy was recorded at the ‘Jesus Christ Slain in a Gas Chamber’ studio!?

As seen above, Garota (Asbiel on vocals and guitar, Goatcraft on bass and Witchfucker on drums) is responsible for the first three tracks on Czerń Północy. They deliver a mix of primitive black with a touch of thrash metal. The production and overall sound fit the nihilistic atmosphere of the music. All three tracks are delivered in their native Polish. Their approach is more brutal and straight-forward compared to what Scrüda offers later on. Thus, Garota’s sound is characterized as the more brutal and direct side of the split, as their music incorporates significant thrash metal elements into a blackened foundation, creating a ferocious and aggressive speedy sound. Despite the black metal roots, Garota’s specific sound is hard to compare to other acts, as this relatively young formation, founded in 2020, creates their unique identity.

Now we move to Scrüda, band that was formed in 2021, and is comprised of; The Conqueror (vocals & bass), Evil Golem (guitar), Firecracker (bass & vocals) and Wall Of Flesh (drums). They are identified as ‘barbaric blackened thrashers’, with their sound being aggressive and over-whelming. Meanwhile, on Czerń Północy the quartet is responsible for the last four tracks. Scrüda’s sound is fast-paced and aggressive, with all four songs under three minutes. It’s noticeable that the sound is a bit clearer, making the distorted bass stand out, especially in the quieter passages. The lyrics are again in Polish, but it’s not necessary to understand Polish to enjoy the beauty and emotional impact of music Scrüda creates. I particularly noted and enjoyed the smooth and logical transition between the riffs. Scrüda offers a bit more suffocating and sorrowful atmosphere, with the authentic underground feel, emphasizing the depth of the Polish scene.

I strongly recommend this split release, and would highly recommend it, for fans of black and thrash metal, and especially those interested in the always inspiring and promising Polish metal scene that is known for its authenticity.

To learn more about this particular split visit https://godzovwarproductions.bandcamp.com/album/czer-p-nocy and take a listen to the full release below.