Venedae "Venedae" CD (Bonustracks)

My favorite album from my favorite Wened Wilkinus Sławibor-adjacent band. What makes this one stand out to me is the extended use of clean production throughout the intros and interludes - the sound on this tape specifically is up there with any lo-fi rock classic of the 90s or earlier, and thus scratches several metal and non-metal itches simultaneously. Not many bands are bold enough to spend five minutes playing jangly depressive rock before launching into ten minute-plus pagan black metal epics, or talented enough to do it so well. The vocals also rule - right-panned, loud in the mix, and extremely Polish (in every flavor: spoken word, clean singing, growls) - perfect for this style. I also love the slightly out of tune guitar which peeks through about halfway through each song to solo (quite rock-and-rollishly, I might add). This thing is still somewhat easily available on pretty much any format you want it on, including the original ’98 tape press.

Sample: https://www.youtube.com/watch?...