You probably know this: sometimes there are cool coincidences at concerts, which you actually go to because of another band and then are surprised by the opening act. That was the case concerning BEDNJA, who convince me with their unconventional black metal interpretation, interspersed with rhythmic grooves and atmospheric post-rock insets, first live and now also on audio medium.

Typical black-metallic hopelessness with rapt shrieking vocals meets driving drums and relaxed, jam-session-like passages with crystal-clear guitars. This mixture of fast/slow, rebellious/reserved and desperate harmonic causes a remarkable dynamic within the songs. The alternate singing, which is special because of the use of the Croatian language, also contributes to this tense atmosphere.
I pick out the song Ledena Palaca as an example for the suction effect, because here BEDNJA succeeds best in creating a broad arc of tension. After a lightning start including nasty screeching and rhythmically somewhat slower parts, the deliberate, spherically floating middle section blends in extremely pleasantly with the otherwise arrow-fast arrangement. The fervent screams go to heart, the hymnally rebelling final part bewitches with heroic melodies of guitar and strings.
The following piece Tisina Je Smrt also uses the taking-over tactic, but the infernal trio again integrates darkly rolling beats in order not to sink into uniformity. Easily digestible sounds are different, because the band does use unruly and unwieldy melodies, but that's what makes them so appealing to fall deeper into the compositions. With epic monsters like the final title track, this is also worthwhile, because here the band offers the whole repertoire again, whereby the speed spectrum is exhausted richly. A sequence of accentuated drums gives the command to wafting guitar leads, then uncomfortable motifs push themselves into the foreground, before the album seems to come to an end with storm, rain and raven croaking - but BEDNJA come up with an obscure, folk-inspired finale.
The three musicians do not serve simple fare, one should take time to immerse oneself in this work. With a good half an hour of playing time, even in repeat mode it works out without any problems and the details become more and more visible. Doline Su Ostale Iza Nas sounds unusual and can tear the listener into a maelstrom of emotions after a short start-up time.