Description

Smalisty Zah is the sophomore album from the Belarusian atmospheric black metal act Vietah. Their 2008 debut Zorny Maroz was really good, despite lacking uniqueness, and despite the fact that the Burzum influence was blatantly obvious. So I assumed the follow-up, Smalisty zah, would continue down the same path. Well, I suppose it does, but still quite differently. The Burzum influence is still clear for all to hear, but the music’s taken a step away from the typical howling side of depressive black metal, and opted for a slightly more aggressive style. Vocally I definitely don’t miss the howls, a type of vocals that in nine out of ten cases will just annoy me like crazy. Here, Antarctis (the one-man army of Vietah) have gone for a much harsher and raspier growling set of vocals, sounding somewhat typical eastern European in style, where I can’t help but think of North and such for comparison. Despite not understanding a word he’s screaming, I love the fact that the pronunciation is so audible, adding that ultra-aggressive touch that only similar languages can. It’s a good album, it is, different, yet similar to its predecessor. I’m not exactly sure which I like the best, since both albums have its positive and negative attributes. So I think I’ll settle with them both being equally as good, but in different ways.

Track list:
1. Zmjarcvielyja Krajavidy Praz Smaljany Pozirk Krumkacha
2. Smalisty Žah
3. Pavolny Paljot Pa-nad Ljasnym Kurganom
4. Vosieńskija Spadarozniki U Nocz
5. Zdzjajsnierinie
6. Paslja Paunocznaja Ciszynja
7. Kvintesiencyja / Quintessence-Darkthrone cover