Vihilija – Kazka
Vihilija’s “Kazka” is an extreme metal song that explores themes of childhood phobias that endure into adulthood by going deep into the murky corners of the human brain. “Kazka” is a gloomy and spooky trip through these lingering shadows, according to its Belarusian artist Vihilija, and the track certainly lives up to this description with its heavy, dark sound. The song opens with a gradual fade-in of guitars and a heavy bassline, creating an immediate sense of foreboding. This transitions into a chaotic and noisy black metal track, characterized by complex rhythms and heavily influenced by the early 1990s Norwegian black metal scene, with clear nods to bands like Immortal and maybe the US band of Deicide. The lo-fi production style, reminiscent of this era, emphasizes atmosphere over clarity, creating a dense, immersive wall of sound that prioritizes authenticity and evokes a sense of fear. At 0:39, the guitar riff shifts, drawing inspiration from non-black metal acts like Machine Head. This infusion of diverse influences broadens the track’s audio spectrum, adding a layer of complexity to its already rich texture. The vocals maintain a traditional black metal style, characterized by speed, darkness, and emotional chaos, perfectly complementing the instrumental backdrop. The song gets more atmospheric as the tempo drops from 1:13 to 1:32. The electric bass, which adds a layer of depth and moodiness, is highlighted in this section. The vocals also change to a more narrative approach, which enhances the song’s storytelling element. The song enters a doom metal phase between 1:48 and 2:19, recalling the sounds of groups like My Dying Bride. The slower, heavier, and more depressingly filled section of the song heightens the emotional intensity of the whole performance. This doom section is followed by a return to faster tempo, which recreates the chaotic and furious mood and sets up an emotionally charged and stormy finale. Vihilija combines elements of black metal, doom metal, and other concepts throughout “Kazka,” creating a musically and emotionally challenging track. In conclusion, Vihilija’s “Kazka” is a dark and intense investigation into persistent anxieties and psychological shadows. It’s an extreme song that expresses the essence of spooky thinking and distress with its complex fusion of doom metal heaviness and black metal wrath.
