I first discovered Czort through their 2022 split release W Czeluść with Angrrsth. When it comes to Polish black metal, with the likes of Behemoth, Mgła, and even Angrrsth, I'm more used to the ferocious approach of the genre. Czort, instead, play a very melodic type of black metal, but don't really fall into the typical category of “melodic black metal”. What do I mean by that? Well, they don't fit the abrasive Polish mold, the Swedish meloblack mold, nor the bitter-cold Norwegian mold. Czort have produced their own niche that combines atmospheric and melancholic vibes with catchy, light-hearted melodies.
Of all the extreme emotions that metal can produce, it's rare to get hopeful feelings from black metal. But this is indeed exactly what Czort manage to evoke with Monumenty. Their playing style can get very moody, oftentimes reveling in sorrowful tunes such as on the opening track. Other times, the pace picks up, and Czort exhibit catchy, mesmerizingly interweaving melodies like on “Cyborium Zgnilizny I Brudu”, producing a rather uplifting tone that's simultaneously tinged with melancholy.
It's the type of music that encapsulates the transitioning of the seasons. The fall of withering leaves, a chilling breeze, the first flakes of snow sailing down from a grey sky. It's contemplative, sorrowful, relaxing. But no black metal is complete without its unnerving elements, and that comes in the form of some nicely haunting lead guitar melodies. This is perhaps most notably displayed on “Oczyma Monumentu”, which is probably my favorite track on Monumenty, although the songs of the fantastic third act of the album are close contenders:
The album's 7th track, “23.48.30”, sets the mood with a vibrant, fun song that culminates with an entrancing guitar solo. “Antynatalizm Boga” follows, with eerie guitar whining, before blasting off into a catchy groove. The song is sadly way too short for my liking, ending just after two minutes. But, that can be somewhat forgiven once the concluding “Ubóstwo Idei” begins. Starting off with tranquil acoustic guitar work, the finale transitions to intriguing tremolo-picked rhythms, before slowly dialing back the energy, concluding on a calm, solemn tone once again.
With Monumenty, Czort have produced one of the most pleasant listening experiences that black metal can offer this year. Presenting an entertaining mixture of atmosphere and melody, they've crafted a fresh soundtrack to the dwindling days of 2024.
