Zlobnik – Pjev Prokletnika LP (Geenger Records, PDV)

When it comes to black metal, it seems like the fans of the genre have become so polarized to the point where no one even knows if there are any true followers of modern black metal lore. On one side, we have all those longtime black metal enthusiasts gatekeeping and preventing anything new from eventually appearing at the piedestal among all those renowned heroes, when, on the other side, you have many more loose music enthusiasts who not only love old school black metal but also promote the third wave of this genre. Whatever might be your weapon of choice, there’s no denial there are some acts that push boundaries of traditional black metal to the very limits, offering a one-of-a-kind listening experience while staying true to the roots. Last year, Geenger Records and PDV Records went on a publishing endeavour together, resulting in a, as many critics would say, one of the greatest regional black metal albums of 2025. “Pjev Prokletnika” by Zlobnik, a band from Šibenik, a historic Croatian town located on the shores of the Adriatic Sea, definitely proves that this genre is more than alive and kicking. And although this scenery might not be a landscape where black metal bands often emerge, do not be mistaken, because Zlobnik sounds like they’ve perfected their sound somewhere in the Nordic countries. Maybe this combination doesn’t work, but take into consideration that PDV Records, who are unquestionably famous for its punk rock, reggae, dub, and electronic music catalog, jumped into the equation. When a record label strays from the paved path, that means something, right? Of course, and by teaming up with Geenger Records, a record label known for a rich catalog based upon heavy, uncompromising music, you know you’re in it for a treat.

But what makes “Pjev Prokletnika” such a good black metal album? A perfect balance between vocal fry and growls, raw guitar works, and equally impressive rhyhtmic patterns? While all those mentioned details are essential elements of every black metal  album, it seems like Zlobnik has found their way around by implementing another level of darkness into those compositions. Among six tremendously dark, dynamic, and even sometimes depressive compositions, you’ll notice how the band dabbles with groove, speed, power, aggression, and other vital elements, but it never loses that dark, blackened melodic edge. The interplay between guitars proves that you do not need insane amounts of distortion to sound so raw, abrasive, and aggressive. Instead, Zlobnik incorporates tremendous amounts of dark, blackened themes, melodies, and harmonies, combines them with tasteful servings of distortion, and preserves a decent amount of that melodic aspect while sounding so powerful. Right with the initial strums over the strings, you know you’re in it for a treat. And the best part about it is not the intensity of those raw melodies and riffs, which keep going from scratch to finish. This is not guitar playing for the sake of noise, but a pure showcase of skills. You’ll also notice how the lead vocalist perfectly pairs his voice with all those catchy, memorable, captivating guitar interplays. The impressive vocal performance ranges from high-pitched screams to deep, guttural growls, seamlessly balancing low, mid, and high notes with such precision and finesse, emphasizing everything the remainder of the band intended to achieve with this album. These fierce, relentless vocal maneuvers keep that sonic intensity constantly, offering a layer of pure, unfiltered darkness, rawness, and aggression while maintaining clarity to the point where you can hear every word.

Beneath all those lush vocal and guitar works, vividly hearable, intricate, deep basslines rumble, contributing warmth, depth, clarity, and heaviness to already sharp, high-pitched guitar works, while simultaneously acting as a binding element between the mentioned instrumentations and rhyhtmic patterns. The drumming performance is another detail worth praise. You’ll stumble upon some of the finest beats, breaks, fills, and other percussive acrobatics, striking from all possible sides, keeping everything in line, and dictating groove and pace. The collection of relentless blastbeats acts as a counterbalance to moderate and half-time beats, while continuous splashes over the cymbals offer another layer of chaos. Everything is so thoughtfully arranged, organized, and performed, yet there’s a dosage of implemented chaos, dissonance, and abrasiveness that makes this album rooted in traditional black metal lore. “Pjev Prokletnika” is an exceptional example of how black metal music can be fresh, unique, innovative, and unpredictable while paying homage to the roots. These folks have delivered one of the finest works in extreme music, and you should immediately place them on your music radar if you love your black music as raw, aggressive, melodic, and technically demanding as possible. Do not miss a chance to purchase this gem on vinyl via Geenger Records or PDV Records.