Split by Krovelёd & Варзуга: A Raw, Gritty Ride Through Russian Metal
Alright, so let’s talk about Split, the gnarly little album from Krovelёd and Варзуга that dropped in 2016. If you’re into raw, unpolished metal with a side of bleakness, this one’s for you. The record’s got everything—Black Metal vibes, Crust punk grit, and Doom Metal sludge—all wrapped up in a dark, Russian package. Released via No Bread! and Чорные Тропинки, it’s like they took all the coldest parts of winter and made an album out of it.
First off, let’s break down why I keep coming back to two tracks in particular: “варзуга - махновщина” and “кровелёд - пожелания смерти.”
Okay, “махновщина” is just… wow. It hits hard right outta the gate. The riffs are dirty as hell, like someone scraped ‘em off the bottom of a boot after trudging through mud and despair. There’s this chaotic energy that feels like a rebellion brewing under your skin. You know those songs where you feel like you’re part of something bigger than yourself? Yeah, this is one of them. And the vocals? Dude, they’re like a mix between a death growl and someone screaming at the sky because life sucks—but in a good way. Like catharsis on steroids.
Then there’s “пожелания смерти” by Krovelёd. This track is straight-up haunting. It starts slow, almost like it’s creeping up on you, and then BAM—it explodes into this wall of sound that just crushes everything in its path. The lyrics (if you can catch ‘em) seem to be about wishing death upon someone or maybe cursing existence itself. Either way, it sticks with you. Not in a cheesy, over-the-top way, but more like a cold reminder of how brutal things can get. Plus, the drumming here is absolutely savage—it’s like being pummeled by hailstones during a thunderstorm.
Now, don’t get me wrong—the other tracks hold their own too. “вольный ветер” has these sweeping moments that make you wanna throw your fists in the air, while “люди хуже самих себя” is basically a punching bag for your ears (in the best possible way). But those two tracks? They stuck with me like gum on a shoe.
What really makes Split stand out is its DIY vibe. None of that polished nonsense you hear in mainstream stuff—this feels real, like these guys were just letting loose in some freezing basement somewhere. It’s messy, it’s loud, and honestly, it’s kinda beautiful. Listening to it feels like stepping into another world—one where hope is fleeting, but resistance isn’t.
So yeah, if you’re looking for something heavy, grimy, and dripping with attitude, give Split a spin. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you when it messes with your head. Oh, and fun fact: apparently “No Bread!” is the label name. Makes sense though—after listening to this, you might lose your appetite anyway.
