Vorvaň – Awakened
Release Date: 28th May 2021
Label: Darkened Days Records/Sludgelord Records/Black Voodoo Records/Enrage Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Metal, Sludge, Grindcore, Crust, Metallic Hardcore,Punk, Black Metal.
FFO: Converge, Martyrdöd, Wolf King, Nails, Cult Leader, Kvelertak, Enabler.
Review By: Dave Buchanan
I’ll be upfront. As soon as I see the words Kurt Ballou, I’m completely pre-sold on whatever album he’s producing, without even hearing it. On this occasion, Kurt is back doing what he does best for anarchic Russian quartet, Vorvaň, and their sophomore release, Awakened.
It’s only been 5 years since Vorvaň put out their debut, Once Love Was Lost, but my god, the teeth on this new album are sharper than ever before. Still just as caustic and belligerent, Vorvaň tear through 56 minutes of material like a pack of rabid animals. Rolling together elements of metallic hardcore, sludge, grind and any other corrosive sound they can lay their hands on. But what’s most impressive about this release, is the leaps and bounds Vorvaň have taken since 2016. They no longer sound like a band still trying piece their sound together, but one that have honed their craft into something captivating that’s full of twists and turns.
From the grinding, Pig Destroyer-like frenzy on Hyenas to the addictive, Kvelertak-esque hooks on Niebo, Awakened serves up a real plethora of styles and textures from the get-go. The galloping, rhythmic chugs of Superscum will have you head-banging like a maniac and if the murky, sludge-soaked grooves of Stalemate don’t leave you feeling completely ruined then I don’t know what will.
I really had no idea where this album was going to take me next, but I was engrossed in every last minute of the journey. Each component of Vorvaň’s framework sounds so on-point, in particular the various vocal textures provided by Eli and the rest of the band. Their unique ability to blend a streak of light on tracks like Shaped By The Void, The Reason and Anhalter Bahnhof only emphasises how impressive they’ve become at balancing dynamics and knowing when to shift gear.
And let’s not forget about the production of Awakened, which is truly impeccable. Igor Butz, Kurt Ballou and Brad Boatright have done a stellar job in creating an album that not only oozes personality, but delivers a herculean gut-punch. Even when the album takes a more sombre turn, and Anastasia Skvortsova’s beautiful cello piece emerges on The Reason, it’s handled with such care and attention that it’s hard not to be left totally speechless.
My only real reservation was the runtime. At 56 minutes in length, Awakened isn’t an album I found myself playing when in need of a quick-fix. But, when the right mood strikes, and I found myself hankering for an album that’s as engaging as it is rewarding, then Awakened is my new go-to. Get this in your ear-holes, right now. 
(4.5 / 5)
