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| #FOR FANS OF: Black/Doom |
The Belarusian band Dymna Lotva was founded in 2015, and since then, they have undergone a very interesting evolution. Their first albums already showed great potential, combining doom, black, and atmospheric sounds in a compelling way. The palette was rich and intriguing, although a doom-infused pace and its elements played a quite prominent role. Beyond these influences, singer Katsiaryna was a fundamental element of Dymna Lotva thanks to her characteristic and powerful screams. This resource, alongside tasteful guitars and atmospheric arrangements, managed to create truly alluring works that captured the attention of a growing fanbase.
With their new opus, titled 'Vyraj', the band takes a major step forward. This new effort sounds more majestic and intense. The palette of influences is even richer, with a stronger black metal presence successfully coexisting with classic doom, Slavic folk touches, and an ethereal atmosphere. The album opener, "Zory", is an inspired and representative example of this more intense, cinematic approach. It begins with a doomier pace before a purely black metal fury erupts. The tempo and intensity increase severely, and Katsiaryna’s vocals sound as brutal as ever. However, this intensity is further enriched by her clean, ceremonial voices that reinforce a ritual essence, alongside simple yet effective keys that heighten the overall hypnotic atmosphere. The following track, "Veha", is another interesting piece. It also combines fast and slow sections within a more atmospheric composition, where the vocals play a captivating role through a variety of styles, ranging from aggressive shrieks to clean singing and whispers. Enigmatic keys and these varied vocals, combined with sombre melodies, create a strongly ritualistic track that perfectly defines the band's distinct approach.
Doom metal influences reign supreme once again in the third track, "The Boat of Despair", with its slower pace. Clean female and male vocals take center stage this time, forging a deeply melancholic and spiritual track that adds great diversity to the album. By this point, it becomes clear that the keyboard work plays an interesting role: it carries an electronic essence that provides a unique contrast, yet fits seamlessly into the compositions and the overall spirit of the record. The shifts in tempo, the tasteful guitar lines, and a well-crafted atmosphere result in a very diverse album where each track possesses its own identity. This variety allows every listener to find their own favorite track, which is always a hallmark of quality. In any case, I would like to highlight another excellent piece, "Usta Za Mianie", where the contrast between atmosphere, clean vocals, and aggressive sections is once again fused with unquestionable taste. The captivating melodies are sure to delight the listener, not to mention the majestic closer, "Return My Coffin Home", which perfectly summarizes all the strong points of 'Vyraj' and leaves a lasting impression.
Dymna Lotva has gained attention due to political reasons, but ‘Vyraj’ serves as a powerful reminder that the band’s talent alone is more than enough reason to give them a listen. This album is a remarkable and successful example of how to fuse different influences into a truly captivating body of work. (Alain González Artola)
(Prophecy Productions - 2026)
Score: 88
