Release year: 2023
Label: Zoharum

Oh those weird, weird weirdoes at Zoharum and their releases. The promo text for Polish Naktys’ debut album describes the album as mixing elements of EBM, techno, industrial, trance and – of all things – rap.

And if that sounds off, then I can tell you: Liturgia is off. A bit. The actual music is not quite as weird as the description makes it sounds, but it’s weird enough.

Zoharum’s description is truly on point. Naktys combine in their music many strands of rather danceable, somewhat abrasive electronic music. There is indeed EBM, techno and trance in here, combined in a stew of rhythmic, energetic, throbbing electro. Perhaps techno is the best descriptor, being a sort of middle ground between all the musical elements that convene on Liturgia?

The soundscapes are cold and machinelike. As can be expected from an album that combines the above genres. Various bleeping, blooping, whirring and chittering noises add a layer of mechanical, industrial feel to the album. Liturgia emphasizes clarity over harshness in sound, resulting in a pretty crisp production, which works well with the music.

And then there are the vocals. Which, indeed, frequently pass over into rap territory. Sung in a gruff, harsh tone and entirely in gruff, harsh Polish (why does Polish always sound so angry?), they add aggression to the music, and even a bit of human emotion.

Honestly though, even though it is the vocal approach that lends the album its weirdness, I must admit to being a bit put off by them. Rapping in Polish gets a bit much over the half hour duration of the album. And, as those who’ve followed this site for a while will know, I say this as a friend of rap music.

Liturgia is in the end a bit of a mixed bag. I like the music and the soundscapes, but the rapping grates on me. So whilst there are plenty of things I like on the album, I’m not gonna lie to you: I’m not in the least bit sad to finally have this review written, as it means I can be done with Liturgia and won’t have to spin it again.

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