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Noc potępienia (1988)
Noc potępienia is the most vicious and convincing thing Hellias ever released. Released in 1988, this short E.P. delivers raw, punishing thrash metal laced with the kind of sinister atmosphere that hints at early black and death metal. The sound is rough, scathing, and not far off from what Tormentor conjured on Anno Domini.
The band’s guitarist and main songwriter, Góralczyk, handled vocals here, seemingly out of necessity. It's a shame he didn’t stick with it. His delivery is genuinely malevolent, far more so than the full-time frontman they brought in later. It really adds to the ominous vibe of the recording.
Despite the rawness and aggression, the songwriting shows thoughtfulness. The transitions are sharp, the structure is tight, and the scorching solos feel like natural extensions of the riffs rather than afterthoughts. Listening to a song like "Wojownik zła", it's clear these guys were grounded in classic '80s metal, even as they steered it down a more venomous path.
The track that stands out the most is "Modlitwa I". From the hellish vocals to the haunting tremolo riffs, this is dripping with dark atmosphere. That said, "Wojownik zła" is equally as strong, and the songwriting demonstrates a deep understanding of classic '80s metal.
Some of these tracks were later re-recorded for the Closed in the Fate Coffin, but like so many cases, the raw intensity was lost in the process. Noc potępienia remains the band’s most essential release. Hellias was never able to capture this level of ferocity again so make sure to give this a listen!
The band’s guitarist and main songwriter, Góralczyk, handled vocals here, seemingly out of necessity. It's a shame he didn’t stick with it. His delivery is genuinely malevolent, far more so than the full-time frontman they brought in later. It really adds to the ominous vibe of the recording.
Despite the rawness and aggression, the songwriting shows thoughtfulness. The transitions are sharp, the structure is tight, and the scorching solos feel like natural extensions of the riffs rather than afterthoughts. Listening to a song like "Wojownik zła", it's clear these guys were grounded in classic '80s metal, even as they steered it down a more venomous path.
The track that stands out the most is "Modlitwa I". From the hellish vocals to the haunting tremolo riffs, this is dripping with dark atmosphere. That said, "Wojownik zła" is equally as strong, and the songwriting demonstrates a deep understanding of classic '80s metal.
Some of these tracks were later re-recorded for the Closed in the Fate Coffin, but like so many cases, the raw intensity was lost in the process. Noc potępienia remains the band’s most essential release. Hellias was never able to capture this level of ferocity again so make sure to give this a listen!
(30 Apr. 2025)
Closed in the Fate Coffin (1991)
Released in 1991, Closed in the Fate Coffin is the first full-length from Hellias. Unfortunately, it doesn’t fully live up to the promise of their earlier E.P. While the material is solid thrash metal with harsh vocals, the production is an issue.
The bass drum is way too loud and ends up overpowering everything else in the mix, which can be offputting at first. It’s not the kind of lo-fi charm that can add to the atmosphere—it’s just a poor mix that detracts from the overall experience. The drums are distracting enough that they make the album harder to enjoy initially, but if you can get past that, the music still shines through.
Closed in the Fate Coffin is definitely on the darker side of thrash. There is a morbid atmosphere on songs like "Dark Exile", "The Pray II" and "The Pray III", accentuated by haunting solos. The re-recorded tracks from Noc potępienia don’t quite have the same sinister vibe as before, mainly because Foreman’s vocals lack the savage edge of Góralczyk’s.
Despite its shortcomings, the debut album from Hellias is filled with memorable riffs, and a dark atmosphere. This is yet another very good thrash metal album from Poland, well worth checking out.
The bass drum is way too loud and ends up overpowering everything else in the mix, which can be offputting at first. It’s not the kind of lo-fi charm that can add to the atmosphere—it’s just a poor mix that detracts from the overall experience. The drums are distracting enough that they make the album harder to enjoy initially, but if you can get past that, the music still shines through.
Closed in the Fate Coffin is definitely on the darker side of thrash. There is a morbid atmosphere on songs like "Dark Exile", "The Pray II" and "The Pray III", accentuated by haunting solos. The re-recorded tracks from Noc potępienia don’t quite have the same sinister vibe as before, mainly because Foreman’s vocals lack the savage edge of Góralczyk’s.
Despite its shortcomings, the debut album from Hellias is filled with memorable riffs, and a dark atmosphere. This is yet another very good thrash metal album from Poland, well worth checking out.
(3 May 2025)
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