So...
new year’s wishes sometimes do came true and „all best“ actually came in form
of „all blackest“. No worries... when metal is in order, black is more than
welcome. As much as i try to be informed with happenings on scene, there are
books, comics, movies, series and it is simply impossible to track everything
new. „Prognan“ with their new album
caught me off guard, much because i wasn’t expecting it (shamefull i know).
However, after first song strikes i became hopelessly addicted to this album
and now we are far past turning point. Having this album on your CV is
something that none of black metal scene giants would be ashamed of. „Naši životi više ne postoje“ is fast - yet
melancholic at times, raw – but yet emotional, heavy – yet on other side
painted with ethnic melodies of great Helm, warlike, yet waving white flag of
peace. Also it is melodic, hymn-like, anthemic and history oriented album. Now,
this is just a quick impression of what this disc really contains. Let me
explain my exitement in detail.
As
someone who is serious „Sabaton“ fan, especially their thematic and lyrical
song construction, Prognan’s album in start had everything that in my criteria
contains recipe for success. Interesting fact is that just few weeks ago i was fanatically
listening to Ukrianian veterans „1914“,
whose album „Where fear and weapons meet“
tells same story, but from different pair of eyes. Comparision between these
two albums is inevitable but each of them presented horrors of blood filled
trenches in their own, unique way, therefore immortalized one important part of
history. History that showed different times... where many countries acted as
one, against world’s biggest force.
Black metal as music movement is very subjective. Fans of BM are probably most honest fans of any genre that i saw, but at the same time, fans with fastest dissapointment point and rejection of band. If beloved band starts experimenting or taste even smidge of commercial success, it’s impossible that will hold on to all of it’s fanbase. Experiments are really dangerous occurrences in BM music, but „Prognan“ from the start describes themselves as bend that pushes their own limits far outside of comfort zone. Although this is their first album, band is not young. They had their first demo „Follow the blind“ in 2009. and after that „Vuk“ (Wolf) in 2011. In 2012. they had their last release called „Jama“ (The pit) done by magnificent poem of Ivan Goran Kovačić. Despair and hopelesness that Kovačić described, Prognan turned into music filled with anger, sorrow and naration. Since that EP, this band potential was more than obvious. Unfortunately, whole decade needed to pass, so this album could see light of day.
Was
it worth it, though, waiting that decade? Hell yeah... We are presented with
one, without exaggeration, marvelous work of art and reading band’s
history i can understand why. Writer of music, Kob, created music for many Hollywood
projects, making this gun shell covered history even more epic in form of “Naši
životi više ne postoje”. Before i present songs by name, what makes this whole
project special?
I never enjoyed repetitive composition, trash, black or punk. I don’t like where during the song everything seems the same. No intro, bridge, chorus, outro, beginning or end. I like modulations, epic choirs, i like experiments and above all… melody. What can i say… BM and hit-like melody. Shoot me if you must. Someone fails very badly in these experiments, but someone, like “Gavranovi” or “Prognan” hits jackpot. Of course i do understand black metal’s initially raw creation, given birth from frost forests of Scandinavia and thematically uniformed with religious principles. BM is music that needs to represent raw emotions in it’s primal form. Just like Quorthon or Nodtveit expressed themselves outside the board, Prognan does the same with theatricality in their own music.
„Naši životi više ne postoje“ like the title
implies is a homage to heroes of the Great war. Both lyrically and musically.
Story itself can be viewed from two angles. First is history. From very
beginning of war and assassination of Franz Ferdinand, until it’s conclusion.
Other is psychological aspect, straight from soldier’s mind. Unprepared martyrs
who were pulled from their homes, just to be toss into vortex of death and
gunpowder with only one thought on their mind. How to get back home when this
all ends.
Here we come to exact part of what makes this album float above the sea of metal projects and makes it a masterpiece. That part is experiment that integrate Balcan ethno music into raw core of black metal. Melodies of well known folk songs are put in so they match music as well as stories they represent. Like i stated in review of „Centurion“ album, „Prognan“ guys also managed to paint a picture with music. Heavy melodies, driven by depression of history, sucessfully evoke sorrow and misery that war brings. Death is sad, but it’s always comes with music afterward. Here, aftermath of battle is represented by slow music, whilst anger, explosions and rifles are followed with fast riffs and double bass pedal. Mourning of lost soldiers is imaged with quiet, calm piano. This album which lasts over an hour is compiled of ten songs. So... not to spoil joy of first listen, i will stroll through songs. Now... in words of band itself with some of my own, let’s start with bang.
2.
Neprijatelj pred vratima – Attack of middle forces and first battle
that started it all. Mountain of Cer. Beginning of First World War. Song
that starts with amazing vocals of slavic-etno opera singer Andrea Krux.
3. Naši životi više
ne postoje – After battle of Cer, Austro-hungarian
army attacks again. 130 infantry battalion, 136 artillery batteries, 4 plain sections,
followed with more than 20 ships. Domestic forces are discarded and powerless.
City, aside of soldiers is defended by civilians. Desperate fight, day three…
4. Golgota – Decision has been made: Crossing over frozen
mountains and abandoning the capitol. Soldier is wounded and in delirium.
Winter is coming. Culmination is ahead, battle continues. This time we have
melodies of song “Ej dragi dragi”. Although it might sound like it couldn’t
work, prepare to be surprised.
5. Po ovoj zimi
nalazimo smrt – Soldier comes to
himself after being wounded. Miles from home, parted from his wife and son.
Harsh winter, hunger and despair took lives of many. Sometimes, near fire,
after many hellish days, soldiers find courage by singing old songs. Not to
spoil everything, this song is merged with one, very famous folk song, which
with it’s powerful choir gives new, epic note to it. Ending is especially emotional
and soothing narration leads us to…
6. Spas – Army survives and arrives to destination. Piles of dead bodies are left behind them. Seemingly happy event is overshadowed by sorrow for lost men. Preparations for getting back to war. This one is purely Viking-like instrumental that reminds of soldier’s respite while polishing their axes, waiting for next battle.
7. Kapija slobode
– First stage of frontline. Army returns
to war. Mountain top of 2525 meters high. Strategic location and conquer of
that top would mean first step towards regaining country. Kaymakchalan
8. Krvavi rovovi –
Soldiers: Torn, scattered, stumbling on
rocky cliffs. With tattered boots, bloody, they are advancing inch by inch.
Through screams, combat now is hand to hand – gun don’t help anymore. This is
crucial battle of the frontline. Number of dead bodies in plane sight has not
yet be seen in this magnitude. Trenches nearly two meters deep, partially
completely full. One by one they lie in piles. Veternik.
9. Naša straža je gotova – Decision has been made: Final storm into
freeing city that was abandoned four years ago. Soldier cannot even fathom that
only kilometers are between him and his wife and son.
10. Mrtvi moji – Neumrli – Soldier stands in front of burnt down house.
His wife is murdered, and son nowhere to be found. Thinking they are both dead,
he is one step from death. Narrative ending of this spiritual experience perfectly
presents entering of one and coming in to another insanity. Was it all in vain?
What was the purpose of it all? Why it needed to come to this?
With expansion of technology, with one computer, anyone can
make album. However… I know, from first hand how much of a chore is to
record/produce/sing/master one album, especially if that recording like in this
case consists of live choir and non-standard instruments. Believe me that time,
patience, Murphy’s law and finances are not working in your favor. So… don’t
believe this review. I will consider this as a success if this text makes you
go and listen to “Prognan”. Fans of digital music, go to their YT page, or
official bandcamp and check it out. Fans of physical formats... hurry. Limited
amount of CD’s are in print and if you want your hands on one, be quick. This
release will contain 50 page novel written by Kob.
Brothers from Vukovar exceeded my expectations. Will it be
case with you as well, find out. Maybe lives of soldiers don’t exist anymore,
but their stories will most definitely live.
In lives one, as in death
We will be one soul for all times…
