Good morning, thank you so much for answering these questions. How's everything going in Kielce?
Hi, thanks for having me. There's nothing interesting going in Kielce by now haha.
1. Udreka was formed around 2022. What led you to create Udreka? Why did you choose this name, and what does it refer to?
I have started this project after a long time of playing music i wasn't proud of. I wanted to write some music on my own, without anyone telling me what to do. At the time I was also fascinated by Polish BM scene, bands such as Odraza for example. So I've decided to give it a shot and write some music in this style. To be fair I have never before played or wrote Black metal music, although I was listening to it since my teenage years. So it was basically my first attempt of writing Black metal music. When it comes to band name, I thought this name would fit perfectly since my lyrics are mostly about my own struggles with depression and all this shit.
2. In 2023, you released your first EP, "Zgnij," and recently your first album, "Nieistnienie." In between, there were some changes to the band's lineup. What was the songwriting and recording process like for your album? How do you think your sound has evolved between the two releases? What brands of instruments did you use during the process?
I wrote all the instruments parts for Zgnij all by myself. Only the drums was recorded by Desolator which is my session drummer for this project, and additional vocals by Szymon. When it comes to Nieistnienie it was similar story. I wrote all the music, and recorded everything except drums. I've decided to incorporate more elements such as Guitar solos by Mateusz Chłopek, and some more vocals by Szymon. And most important I've decided to Play live shows which forced me to gather musicians who can do this with me. The sound for example, wasn't fully forged with the first EP. I didn't even had my own Guitar for a recording session so i had to borrow it from my friend haha. I only had some shitty old squier strat which i used to write music. Since that time i bought a good guitar, and starting to think more about the sound of the album. My inspiration for it was Fiktionlust by Totenmesse. Also I wasn't happy about how i did the vocals on Zgnij. My growls was definitely too low and Szymon fry screams was too high. I chose different approach on Nieistnienie, doing my vocals a little bit higher, and Szymon did his a little lower. I think now it sounds much better. When it comes to instruments I'm using LTD EC 1000 guitar, and Fender Jazz Bass MIJ .
3. “Nieistnienie” is an album that perfectly fits into that more nonconformist side of Polish black metal, rich in nuances, preserving the essence of black metal, but also incorporating elements that, in this case, we can describe as having a punk influence. How would you describe the album's sound to someone who hasn't heard it yet? What bands and styles inspired the album's composition?
I would say that Nieistnienie is Black/Death Hardcore. My main influences when it comes to Udręka is Totenmesse, Odraza, Marduk, Converge. There is really a lot of bands and styles I like to listen and blend together.
4. Your lyrics deviate somewhat from the more conventional aspects of the genre, addressing themes more focused on death or madness. Where does this lyrical theme come from? Why do you choose Polish, rather than English for example, for the lyrics? Do the lyrics adapt to the music, or vice versa?
Like i said before, all of my lyrics is pretty much introspective. I write about all the shit that's bothering me and I'm going through at the moment of writing lyrics. Choosing Polish language is more common nowadays, when you take a look at the new Polish bands. Everyone wrote in English before, so why don't we try to do something different finally and write in our own language? First i write all the music, and leave the space for lyrics I'm writing when whole album is ready musicall
5. Godz ov War Productions is the record label releasing the new album. How did the opportunity to work with them come about? Beyond the physical CD release, are there any other plans? What do you think it will mean for you to be part of a renowned underground label like Godz ov War Productions?
I wrote to Greg from Godz ov War back in 2023 when I was releasing my debut EP Zgnij. He wasn't sure about it at first but told me to send him the new material if I will write one. So i did last summer, and he liked It, and agreed to publish it under his label. I would love to have Nieistnienie on vinyl since I'm myself a vinyl collector. But maybe that's a little too soon for this i guess haha. I'm proud to be a part of Godz ov War label, and i think it really helped me to get my music to a lot of people.
6. The album was mixed and mastered at Impressive Art Studio. Why did you choose to work with them? What do you think they contributed to the final sound of the album?
I chose Impressive Art Studio simply because they mixed and mastered two of my favourite modern black metal albums which is Odraza Rzeczom, and Totenmesse Fiktionlust. Like i said, Fiktionlust was my main sonic inspiration and it was mixed similar way and i think it came out great. Their mixing added a really good final touch to the sound.
7. The album cover was designed by Gabriela Zapała, who modified a column from the Temple of Artemis. What led you to work with Gabriela? Why did you choose this sculpture, and how does it fit with the album's content?
Gabriela is my fiance and she's always helping me to materialize my visual ideas, since the EP. I decided to use the character of Thanatos on album cover ,because of his connection to the philosophy of antinatalism. He symbolizes the nietzschean idea of deathdrive. Inside of a Thanatos sculpture on a photograph there is an infamous flat from my hometown which is abandoned now. I thought It will fit my street aesthetic I'm operating since first EP.
8. Desolator belongs to bands like Doombringer, Martwa Aura, and Venefices, bands with a somewhat different style compared to Udreka, bands that incorporate more death metal or avant-garde elements, all faithful to that Polish black metal scene where there is a wide variety of bands with distinct styles that, to a certain extent, become personal. What is your vision of the current Polish black metal scene? How do you think that tradition of more classic black metal has influenced and contributed to this rich current Polish scene?
Currently i think a lot of modern black metal band in Poland play this kinda sad and slow paced black metal in the style of Mgła. I really miss this fast and angry black metal such as Infernal War, Bestial Raids. I would love to see more Polish band play fast and angry. I think that classic black metal from 1st and 2nd wave still influence musicians to this day. Mayhem, Burzum, Venom, Carpathian Forest, was first BM bands i have discovered and was listening to when i was 13-14 years old. So i think that although Udręka is far from classic black metal, some part of this spirit is still there. I can't say the same thing about lyrics and themes though. I think that a lot of new bands will agree with me that occult and satanic themes became a little bit worn out, if not overrated. I love Black metal musically, but have no interest in such themes. That's why you're not gonna find it in my lyrics haha.
9. Regarding concerts, it seems that you are a band that doesn't perform live. Is there any possibility of bringing Udreka's music to the stage at some point? What circumstances would need to be met for this to happen?
I haven't planned playing live shows when i've started this project. But as i stated earlier I've changed my mind and gathered solid live line up, and i think we're gonna hit the stage pretty soon.
10. How did you get started in music: the first concerts you attended, the first albums you bought? What event in your lives pushed you to want to become musicians?
When I've heard Metallica when i was about 12 years old was groundbreaking event. That was the moment I knew that this is my music. I started thinking about being a musician when me and my friend from junior high school formed a first band in 2009. Basically it was just making noise at the back of my house using some trash instead of instruments haha. It was the moment I thought that this is what i wanna do in my life.
11. Which album represents the essence of black metal for you? What are the latest albums you've bought?
If someone who never heard it would ask me what black metal is I would probably recommend Burzum Filosofem. I think this is the essence of a genre. And the latest albums I've bought turned out to be a classics such as: Cryptopsy Blasphemy Made Flesh and None So Vile, Deathspell Omega Paracletus, and Strapping Young Lad City.
12. Thank you so much for taking the time to answer these questions for Black Metal Spirit. If you'd like to add anything for Udreka fans, this is the place. I hope you enjoy the questions.
Thanks for having me ;)
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