The debut studio offering, Pradavni, meaning Ancient, from Serbian Black Metal outfit Oskrnavitelj, whose name translates as Desecrator, was previously only released independently as a limited-edition cassette and CD. Following their signing to Fetzner Death Records, it will now be released as a limited-edition Digipack CD. So this is another opportunity for fans to get hold of this powerful and engaging slab of old school Black Metal.
Oskrnavitelj – Pradavni
Release Date: 16 May 2025
Words: Jools Green
Oskrnavitelj deliver a very strong second-wave Norwegian sound that echoes Mayhem and early Darkthrone, especially in the drum department. There is even a touch of Tulus in the mix in places. Nothing groundbreaking, just a traditional sound done well.
I like that it is neither overproduced nor lo-fi. It is balanced enough to remain raw but still delivers a decent degree of clarity. Vrika’s vocals are slightly set back, which I also like, and it draws the listener in. The vocals are also superbly delivered, very vitriolic with great punctuation and protraction, drawing lyrical inspiration from subjects including darkness, evil, blasphemy, death, misanthropy, nature and pagan ancestry.
Pradavni opens on a brief Intro of storms and howling wolves before moving straight into the first track, Oskrnavitelj, a driving, unrelenting beast of a track that undulates with menace. Vrika’s vocals are delivered sharply with punch, and as the track ebbs away to the close, her final menacingly vitriolic scream cuts through like a knife.
The next piece, Okovan delivers such great drum work. Again, it’s a driving beast but more complex, filled with sharp twists and turns. I do love this piece. The speed and complexity grab and hold your attention in what is is an exhilarating listen.
Prognanik continues with the driving sound, but the pace is initially slightly slower, and the atmosphere throughout is darker. There is a lot more ebb and build here, with spoken elements midway and towards the close, while the main body of lyrics have a punchy, vitriolic delivery.
Kad je Mesec Pun is another piece I am particularly drawn to. I love everything about this as it warms my blackened heart. You get a straightforward riff base that chugs along steadily, gently ebbing, building and switching direction subtly. The vocals are acidic, well-phrased, and punctuated for maximum effect, carving their way through the riffs superbly. Again, the drum work is excellent, delivering some great rhythms and patterns.
Beskraj immediately hits you with an intense wave of riffs. The vocal delivery is fast and sharp. There is a very furious and almost chaotic feel to the sound, particularly as it opens, but it does level out as it progresses. A hugely engaging and very catchy listen.
Delivering another furious drive is Krv Vučija. A very dense and intense piece, the vocals are superbly vitriolic again, with the sound all-encompassing. I like the swathe of tremolo-picked leadwork in the latter part of the second half. Overall, a strong commanding listen.
Penultimate piece Vagrob opens with a very haunting, sombre mood to the riffs despite the speed of delivery, which makes a great contrast to the bitingly vitriolic vocals. A very emotive piece that conveys a feeling of sadness and grief.
Final offering Hladno Runo Planina makes one final intense and frantic drive. Bolstered by more of that superbly powerful and creative drum work, it’s an icy and powerful beast of a track. Waves of unrelenting, undulating riffs course the length of the track, ebbing back slightly and briefly in the second half, and you get a mix of spoken and sung vitriolic vocals.
Overall, I think Pradavni is a great listen end-to-end. I particularly love the vocals and drum delivery. Definitely an album with appeal for all old school Black Metal fans.
Oskrnavitelj release Pradavni on 16 MAy 2025 via Fetzner Death Records. Pre-orders are available via Bandcamp or the Fetzner Death Records website.
