Śmierć

Reviews

Śmierć Opór LP

Swedish D-beat punk band ŚMIERĆ has been playing together for nearly a decade now. Drawing inspiration from 1980s Polish punk, ŚMIERĆ espouses an alchemical outlook on the D-beat formula and infuses it with sounds from further afield. The result is a sonic adventure that ranges from anthemic punk to melancholic dirge with plenty of Mötor-charged moments in between. The Opór LP is nine songs in length and the band’s fourth available recording. In comparison to previous releases, Opór finds ŚMIERĆ pushing their sound to its furthest edges, with faster rhythms, colder tones, and extended instrumental sections. To me, I hear a lot of influence from ZBOMBARDOWANA LALECZKA, IŁ-62, and other Polish bands that embraced punk but experimented with other genres. I’m also reminded of contemporary Polish band LIFE SCARS when the more hardcore punk rock hits. The song “Das Unheimliche” is perhaps my favorite song on Opór with its eerie intro, infusion of world music, driving punk rock, and a haunting bridge.

Śmierć Paranoja LP

Sweden’s ŚMIERĆ keeps getting better, and last year’s Paranoja, their second full-length, is an absolute stunner. Imagine the D-beat power of WOLFBRIGADE and TO WHAT END? driving an homage to Polish classics like DEUTER, POST REGIMENT, and ARMIA. Don’t dismiss the band as an homage to Polish HC/punk however, as their power transcends genre (and region), and their records are soaring examples of how fucking powerful punk can still be, even within its own confines. Highest endorsement.

Śmierć Godzina Pusta 12″

This is a project created by Polish punks living in Sweden who wanted to pay tribute to the works of Polish poets and bands. While I’m not well-versed in most Polish arts (which is a shame), I can still find something to appreciate in the thoughtfulness given to presenting the lyrics and explaining a bit where they come from. While I don’t understand the lyrics, which are in Polish, the notes about their sources, such as the works of DEZERTER, HOMOMILITIA, and poet Adam Zagajewski, are in English. That being said, I feel less inspired by the band, with its pretty straightforward punk riffing and melodic vocals. The vocals by Ninka are often left to carry the melodic weight of the band, and they often do not feel like enough to help them stand out from the herd.