Polish black metal icons Patriarkh (formerly Batushka) reveal official music video for “ВЕРШАЛИН IV“

Polish black metal icons Patriarkh (formerly Batushka) embark on a dark and ominous pilgrimage as they unveil the next single from the upcoming concept album, “ПРОРОК ИЛИЯ” (Lat. PROROK ILJA), out on January 3, 2025 via Napalm Records. Accompanied by an official music video, the new song, entitled “ВЕРШАЛИН IV” (Lat.  WIERSZALIN IV), weaves the sacred-inspired vocals of Eliza Sacharczuk with liturgical melodies, building into a storm of dark choirs and unforgettably intense harsh vocals.

Building on the critical success of “Hospodi” (2019) and relentless touring around the globe, Patriarkh brings a renewed vision and profound storytelling to their Napalm Records debut. This eight-track journey immerses listeners in the true story of Eliasz Klimowicz, the enigmatic Prophet Ilja, set against the dramatic historical backdrop of the 1930s and ’40s. Deeply rooted in Eastern Orthodox traditions, Patriarkh masterfully merges black and doom metal with haunting religious themes, conjuring an atmosphere as dark as it is mesmerizing.

Make sure to pre-order your copy of “ПРОРОК ИЛИЯ” (Lat. PROROK ILJA) now and check out the thrilling music video for “ВЕРШАЛИН IV” (Lat.  WIERSZALIN IV) below!

This is the most Oriental sounding song on our new album. The beautiful monody that runs throughout the entire piece is deeply influenced by Greek and Romanian traditions, which are integral to Orthodoxy. In our new music, we aim to showcase different aspects of Orthodoxy. Just as the Prophet Ilja journeyed to Kronsztadt, we traveled far for musical inspiration to create a psalm in honor of the New Jerusalem that our prophet was building. This song features our long-time singing teacher, Eliza Sacharczuk. We have been collaborating with her since 2016, continuously improving our singing skills through lessons and consultations. Our choice was intentional; Eliza has a truly unique voice. Listen and see for yourself!

“ПРОРОК ИЛИЯ” details a true story that happened in the band’s home area of Podlasie, in the village of Grzybowszczyzna, in the 1930s and 40s. The album takes the listener into the world of Eliasz Klimowicz, the titular Prophet Ilja, an illiterate peasant who was the leader of the Orthodox Grzybowska Sect, active until the 1960s, cultivating and transmitting the history of the self-proclaimed prophet. Patriarkh spread their gospel by using an arsenal of folk instruments, such as tagelharpa, mandolin, mandocello, hurdy gurdy and stringed dulcimer, and worked with a symphony orchestra and choirs to give their new creations the most organic and vivid feeling possible. As is trademark with Patriarkh’s music, Orthodox sacredness is mixed with black and doom metal, now largely enriched with folk music, neo dark folk, and even film music. The band utilizes the entire palette of Orthodox music, venturing into the areas of Byzantine monody, liturgical chant and Russian polyphony, neatly adapting folk and liturgical melodies to their own style.

With this new release, we are starting a new chapter in our history – not only is our name changing, but our music is also undergoing a natural evolution. The story on the album encouraged us to get out of our comfort zone, we reached for means that we had not used before in our music. Many of you will wonder if this is still black metal? Or is it even metal? Radio play, audiobook, theater, film soundtrack, folk music, performance… All these terms will fit here. Some will hate, others will love…

The lyrical side of “ПРОРОК ИЛИЯ” is an interesting mix of theater and pastoralism. Patriarkh uses fragments of texts from the theater play “Prorok Ilja” and draws from the messages contained in the works of Włodzimierz Pawluczuk, combining it with folk and liturgical texts. On “ПРОРОК ИЛИЯ”, listeners can hear various languages – and Polish for the first time ever! The album was recorded in January and May 2024 at Tall Pine Records (Behemoth, Zalewski, Afromental), Heinrich House (Behemoth, Vesania, Hate), Wem Studio (Kasa Chorych, Lukasyno, Cira) and Radio Białystok studio. Mixing and mastering was handled by Wojciech Wiesławski at Hertz Studio (Vader, Behemoth, Decapitated), and production was helmed by band mastermind and leading vocalist Bartłomiej “Варфоломей” Krysiuk. 

ПРОРОК ИЛИЯ is an album full of emotions, sentimentalism and folklore. It’s pastoral, lyrical, epic, multidimensional and multicolored, just like my Podlasie is multicolored.

Dive into the deepest of all shadows with this black metal masterpiece and join Patriarkh on this intriguing ride! 

Pre-Order Your Copy of “ПРОРОК ИЛИЯ” NOW:

“ПРОРОК ИЛИЯ” tracklisting:
1. WIERSZALIN I (Lat.) – ВЕРШАЛИН I (Cyrillic)
2. WIERSZALIN II (Lat.) – ВЕРШАЛИН II (Cyrillic)
3. WIERSZALIN III (Lat.) – ВЕРШАЛИН III (Cyrillic)
4. WIERSZALIN IV (Lat.) – ВЕРШАЛИН IV (Cyrillic)
5. WIERSZALIN V (Lat.) – ВЕРШАЛИН V (Cyrillic)
6. WIERSZALIN VI (Lat.) – ВЕРШАЛИН VI (Cyrillic)
7. WIERSZALIN VII (Lat.) – ВЕРШАЛИН VII (Cyrillic)
8. WIERSZALIN VIII (Lat.) – ВЕРШАЛИН VIII (Cyrillic)
 
“ПРОРОК ИЛИЯ” will be available in the following formats:
Wooden Box (Digipak, bonus CD, pendant, flag & patch) – 300 copies (Napalm Records Mailorder and Patriarkh Shop exclusive)
Deluxe 2LP GATEFOLD GOLD Vinyl (Alternative album cover artwork, bonus vinyl, & 24pp vinyl booklet) – 300 copies (Napalm Records Mailorder and Patriarkh Shop exclusive)
1LP GATEFOLD SILVER Vinyl – 300 copies (Napalm Records Mailorder exclusive)
1LP GATEFOLD MARBLED ORANGE RED BLACK Vinyl – 300 copies (Napalm Records Mailorder exclusive)
1LP Gatefold in Black Vinyl
6 Page Digipak
Digital Album

Patriarkh are currently on their Epic Prophecy For Europe tour, so don’t miss the chance to attend and experience the spirit of true patriarchs and dark Orthodox sacredness live!
 
Patriarkh Live 2024
Epic Prophecy For Europe 2024
w/ Vltimas & God Dethroned
15.10.24 IE – Belfast / Limelight 2
17.10.24 UK – Glasgow / Slay
18.10.24 UK – Sheffield / Corporation
19.10.24 UK – Birmingham / Castle And Falcon
20.10.24 UK – London / Underworld
21.10.24 UK – Milton Keynes / Craufurd Arms
22.10.24 NL – Eindhoven / Dynamo
23.10.24 NL – Zwolle / Hedon
24.10.24 DE – Herford / Kulturwerk
25.10.24 NL – Ulft / Dru
26.10.24 DE – Bochum / Turock Fest
 
Asia & Australia Prophecy 2024
29.11.24 TH – Bangkok / Mr.Fox Livehouse
01.12.24 HK – Hong Kong / MOM Livehouse
03.12.24 CN – Shanghai / MAO Livehouse
04.12.24 CN – Beijing / Omnispace
06.12.24 KOR – Seoul / West Bright Hall
07.12.24 TW – Taipei / Jack Studio
09.12.24 JP – Tokyo / Shibuya Club Asia
12.12.24 NZ – Auckland / Tuning Fork
13.12.24 AUS – Melbourne / Max Watts
 
NOWY WIERSZALIN Poland 2025
03.01.25 PL – Łódź / Wytwórnia – SINFONIA ORTHODOXIA w/symphonic orchestra and male choir
22.02.25 PL – Krosno / Rock Klub Iron
07.03.25 PL – Wrocław / Transformator
08.03.25 PL – Zabrze / CK Wiatrak
09.03.25 PL – Kraków / HYPE PARK
14.03.25 PL – Lublin / Fabryka Kultury Zgrzyt
15.03.25 PL – Olsztyn / Scena Zgrzyt
16.03.25 PL – Warszawa / Klub Proxima
17.03.25 PL – Białystok / Zmiana Klimatu
21.03.25 PL – Gdynia / Podwórko.art
22.03.25 PL – Szczecin / Kosmos
23.03.25 PL – Poznań / 2progi
 
Patriarkh:

ВАРФОЛОМИЕЙ – Vocals
ЛЕХ – Drums
МОНАХ ТАРЛАХАН – Guitars
МОНАХ БОРУТА – Guitars
АРХАНГЕЛ МИХАИЛ – Guitars
ХИАЦЫНТОС ЯЦА – Choir
ЯЗЫЧНИК – Choir