Tsar Stangra – Химните на разрушените светове
Release Date: 1st July 2026
Label: Self Released
Stream
Genre: Folk, Black Metal.
FFO: Cnoc An Tursa, Behemoth, Khors, Rotting Christ.
Review By: Paul Cairney
Tsar Stangra is the point where Bulgarian folk music meets Western black metal. An intriguing concept that began with the goal of bringing Bulgarian heritage into a genuine black metal ethos. The bands 2nd album is Химните на разрушените светове, or Hymns of the Broken Worlds in English. Released about 10 years since the debut, it has taken a while to create.
Has this wait helped to deliver a monolithic slab of modern black/folk metal? The answer isn’t simple. There are points on Hymns of the Broken Worlds that genuinely get the pulse racing. ‘Тракийци – Черни химни за изгубените’ (Thracians – Black Hymns for the Lost Ones), has a delightful combination of traditional black metal riffs, and the understated Bulgarian folk influence. It is a welcoming track, full of vigour and immediately impresses. ‘Последният поход’ (The Final March) is apparently a reimagining of a traditional Bulgarian Folk Song Назад, назад, моме Калино, impressing a paganised filter. A shorter track, it still has enough time to impress, especially with the harmonised vocals.
Tsar Stangra have a fairly unique selling point. In blending Bulgarian influences into what is basically North American black metal, they allow themselves to stand-out, probably the strongest aspect of the album. However, there are points in the album where your mind does start to wander. Although not particularly long, Hymns of the Broken Worlds does seem to stretch.
On the plus side, when it hits, it hits hard. Moments capture your mind, imprison it and give you feelings that black metal shouldn’t give. Even die-hard 3rd wave of black metal fans should welcome this… maybe.
(3.5 / 5)
