Metal Maniac

Hailing from Nowy Sącz/ Cracow, Jarun is a Black Metal band with a little bit of a folk and alternative/ progressive music influences. The origins of the Jarun band date back to 2008, when guitarist Zagreus began experimenting with his solo project, aimed to combine folk music with black metal. Initially, these were sounds very much inspired by the broadly defined folk music, created using traditional, folk instruments, but with time, these elements have begun to undergo reduction. In 2015, the band present us their sophomore album titled “Pod niebem utkanym z popiołu” (“Under a sky woven from the ashes”).

I have been in touch with the Polish Black Metal scene for quite some time now and my admiration for this nation’s scene has grown exponentially within the passing years. There are so many interesting works coming from this country, varied as well, from folk/ pagan to more raw, as well as atmospheric and classical Black Metal. Well, not only concerning this genre, we can see the importance and influence of Polish bands when it comes to Death Metal as well. Well, indeed a country with a vast scene to be explored by the metal listeners.

Returning to Jarun, “Pod niebem utkanym z popiołu” is an imposing album, very powerful and still alluring with folk and progressive influences, which are never overused though. Indeed a well-written and composed album, which features impressive metal orchestrations, mostly fast-paced, but also, blending some atmospheric parts. The guitars are melodic and, at the same time, aggressive and fierce, dominating the music and creating a very expressive aura. The drumming is solid and fits very well the music, all resulting in a magnificent sagacity. As for the vocals, they are commanding, robust and massive. There are also some acoustic interludes that are beautifully crafted.

This is not a standard Black Metal release; it is indeed, in my humble opinion, a diverse and refreshing approach to extreme metal, looking for new paths to be explored. As a listener, I am utterly satisfied with this creation carefully formulated by the Polishes Jarun. You can see that they took their time to come up with an impassionate and dramatic work that should please Black and Extreme Metal listeners easily.

As for the production of “Pod niebem utkanym z popiołu”, everything is clearly audible and all instruments/ vocals are well-balanced, which, obviously, turns the whole listening experience even more satisfying. So, my dear friends, please, check out Jarun music, there are always legal ways to do it so, and if you enjoy what they have to offer, in my humble opinion, a highly strong work, support and/ or them in any way that is possible for you.

Take care.

Grade: 9,5/10

Band: Jarun

Album: Pod niebem utkanym z popiołu (2015)

Label: Independent

Tracklist:

1. Przedświt
2. Kamienie
3. Zawołaj mnie a przyjdę
4. Pod niebem utkanym z popiołu
5. Cisy
6. Noc niedokończona
7. Trzy Śmierci
8. Piołun
9. Jak wiatr

Jarun is:

Zagreus – Guitars

Rolsen – Guitars

Meph – Vocals

Radogost – Bass

Pazuzu – Drums

Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jarunband

Official SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/violence-online/sets/jarun-pod-niebem-utkanym-z-popiolu

All photos belong to their rightful owners.