Back in the early 2000s as I was still learning about Eastern European extreme metal I discovered a number of bands that may or may not have sketchy politics. Dub Buk, Nokturnal Mortum (their early days), Graveland and this Arkona from Poland. I was already familiar with the Russian folk band Arkona and wanted to see what the difference was.

Nocturnal Arkonian Hordes was my introduction and I was blown away; there was blasting for days, sort of a True Black Dawn/Dark Funeral mixture. I was hooked instantly and wanted to hear more so I dug deep for their (then early albums, this was taking place in 2003).

Stella Pandora was (from the press release) recorded, mixed, and mastered at Heinrich House Studio in Spring 2024. Let me tell you it’s solid as hell, the band is on cosmic fire, bringing more of the ambiance to this album, countering against the soul-shredding Black Metal that surrounds it.

First track “Pandora” is a blaster straight away, there’s a little bit of ambiance creeping in before it explodes with Satanic precision. Scythe sharp riffs and blasting are reminiscent of Thunderbolt (Pol) and their Inhuman Ritual Massmurder album from 2004.

This being a six-track full-length it’s a bit easier to digest. Stella Pandora goes through more tempo shifts than a lunatic with a gun. “Altairia” is a good example of the ambiance creeping around before the blasts kick in full force. There’s a cool four-time rock beat that quickly starts to speed up with the double bass kicking in around the two-minute mark, cymbal crash and it’s off to the races. That massive production bringing the drums to the fore with battering ram accuracy, Arkona is pros by now at making sure that your eardrums get flayed again and again.

At 47:27 they utilize every second of the time to keep you ensnarled in their grasp. The crawling chaos of the “Necropolis” moves like a cart full of diseased corpses, it’s one of my favorite tracks because it’s got everything in it. Tempo changes for days and always present are those drums, creating the current of this stygian ocean where the mutants dwell. It is the macabre centerpiece to Stella Pandora.

“Elysium” brings the morose side of Black Metal into the mix of this malignant cauldron of hate and I love every demonic moment of it. It blasts near the middle of the song, but that doesn’t take away from the mournful feeling of the song as it stays present throughout.

There aren’t any short songs (short meaning under five minutes) on Stella Pandora. Each is pushing close to ten minutes and all of it is worth it. “Prometeus” is the shortest track, clocking in at 6:56, but that doesn’t mean they’re lollygagging. This is a full-force blaster from start to finish; rolls and fills compete with the razor-sharp guitar tone. It’s another favorite track, bringing a true feeling of the mythological Pandora’s Box opening and spewing the instruments of evil out into the pitiful population.

It sets the stage for “Aurora”, a 9:06-minute epic that is the perfect way to bring the chaos to a close. Beginning with furious blasting and a barrage of flesh-flaying riffs. It’s another Dark Funeral/Dissection mixture of sinister harmonies underscoring the miasma being created. It goes through some semi-emotional riffing near the end, before the blitzkrieg ends and with it Stella Pandora.

Drac – vocals & bass, Khorzon – guitars & orchestrations, Kaamos – guitars and Zaala – drums; have shown again the massive destructive power of Polish Black Metal. If you dig Dark Funeral, Thunderbolt (Pol), and Marduk; or if you’ve been following the band since their inception then you already know and should be lining up to get this.

[Visit the band's website]

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