Worldwide Metal: Serbia
In another edition of Worldwide Metal, I will travel to Europe to the country of Serbia. A country that would birth seventeen great Roman emperors and the origin of the word Vampire was created based off the Serbian word “Vampir”. A culture of science, which was the home to famous scientist Nikola Tesla. But what does the country of Serbia show for heavy metal, let alone extreme metal? Is there a particular genre dominate in the country?
First up, we head into the black metal genre with the band Triumfall. Formed in 2006, the band would only release one album in the band’s history, 2009’s Antithesis of All Flesh. With symphonic elements that could come straight off of early Emperor, their debut album has the visceral, phlegmy snarl of classic second wave black metal, coped with the orchestration of a dark and sadistic symphony. Sad that the band was not able to continue, since their debut album did show promise and potential. I would have loved to see the band develop and even improve their sound with more experience and better production.
If you want to check out the band, there album is available on their Spotify page HERE
With the next band, we’re steering towards the progressive and technical thrash metal sound with Quasarborn. The band’s sonic brutality and complex playing EASILY reminds me of technical wizards like The Zenith Passage, Beyond Creation and Xoth, but with clean singing, which is a nice and unique twist on the sound. Formed in 2016, the band has been infusing their hybrid of technical/progressive thrash for almost ten years now. Consistently release albums since the band’s formation and even through the COVID-19 Pandemic. Their third album, Novo oruzje protiv bola, received high reviews on sites like Metal-Archives and their previous two albums getting a solid 7 score on Metalstorm.
You can check out the band’s Bandcamp page HERE or their Spotify HERE
Our next band delves into the heavier, almost brutal version of death metal with Dawn of Creation. Formed in 2011, the band has a punishing brutal sound and mix with their lone studio album Self-Destructive Matters. With vocalist Nikola Kostić’s deep gutturals and almost choking vocal highs, it adds a pounding and relentlessly heavy element to the chugs and double bass brutality the band delivers on the album.
You can check out the band’s Spotify page HERE
Our next band is Sangre Eterna. Starting out as a symphonic black metal band, the band changed direction into a melodic death metal sound with the release of the band’s 2012 album Asphyxia. Though the album still continues the symphonic elements from their debut album, the chugging riff and driving bass, along with the almost metalcore-esque guitars instantly channels the Gothernburg sound of bands like In Flames, Dark Tranquility and Soilwork would make popular. While also adding synths and keys that Children of Bodom would do. No word yet of if the project is still active, but loving their second album, I hope new material is in the works.
You can check out the band’s Bandcamp page HERE
The last band we will be covering today is Nevergreen. A gothic metal band, the epic orchestra moments and the gritty vocals of Bob Macura instantly reminds me of Till Lindemann of Rammstein but delivering a higher register vocal delivery. Since its formation in 1994, the band has released eleven albums, with its most recent being 2021’s Monarchia. A hybrid of traditional heavy metal with gothic tinge to it is a nice touch and a unique twist with the gothic metal sound. With a lot of the songs on Monarchia having grit, attitude and power amidst the beauty of the piano, orchestra and choir amongst them.
You can check out the band’s Spotify page HERE
That’s going to do it for my time visiting the country of Serbia and another edition of Worldwide Metal. Did you dig some of the bands I featured in this edition? Was there any bands you think other readers should check out? You can also let me know what country I should travel to next, so I can stamp my metal passport on my journey to discover Worldwide Metal.
