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Furia > I krzyk > Reviews
Furia - I krzyk

If Only Most Demos Could Be Half This Good - 86%

Thumbman, January 18th, 2016

Man, bands don't make demos like this very often. Not only is the production far better than what you would usually expect on an early demo, but this is very varied without ever becoming disjointed and packed with memorable melodies and awesome riffs. The only reason I don't listen to this demo more is the album that comes after (as well as many more excellent releases) are stuffed so full of pure, unadulterated awesomeness that they eclipse this. That does not at all mean that this shouldn't get credit where credit is due - Furia have made a beast of a demo. Dynamics, songwriting, atmospherics, riffs from every direction; this is on a whole other level than what most demos exist on.

While later releases are perhaps more focused, the variety compacted into four average length songs here is really interesting. Trying to wear too many hats, especially in the early stages of a band, can be a perilous endeavour, but Furia pull it off without breaking a sweat. While their future releases would be much easier to pinpoint, here not much can be said except this is a black metal release. It does not draw predominantly on one particular vein of the style, rather choosing to draw in many to construct a rich tapestry of fucking awesomeness. A Tom Warrior-esque beanie-grunt may set off a thrashier, more rocking riff, breaking pace from a melodic black metal riff that was preceded by a pensive clean break. I'm sure by now you get that there's a lot of variety. They make what could have been a directionless mess work through tight songwriting and well executed transitions.

Another thing that sets this apart from many early demos is that the musicianship is on par with a fully developed band that has been around for years and years. The riffs are routinely tight and hard-hitting, and occasionally reach breakneck speeds with astonishing ease. The drums were also very impressive. The tone is great for a demo, and besides providing interesting patterns and ferocious blasts, the dude can crank out octopus-on-amphetimines fills like no one's business. The interplay between instruments is on-point and some of the riffs wouldn't have come across as powerfully if not for the immense bombast of the drums.

More than anything, this is a really fun demo that's hard to find many faults with. It is quite varied while not becoming a clusterfuck and balances awesome riffs and potent melodies with a nice dose of atmosphere. The great thing about this is it isn't even close to as good as Furia will get. This, paradoxically, is the worst thing about the demo; it's a bit harder to want to come back and listen to this when their future material is that much more excellent. Either way, this is definitely with a spin and serves much more as just a curiosity listen to see a band's humble beginnings.

One of the best Polish BM releases EVER! - 93%

dismember_marcin, May 19th, 2011

Not only Norway (for all the respect I have for some of their best bands), can spit out quality atmospheric black metal, which is so cold that it may freeze the blood in veins and furious that it ruins the church near you. Take Furia from instance... They're Polish and man, they do know their shit well. I've been watching their "career" from the beginning, as a zine editor I've been getting their every release... and I must say it seemed like they came out of nowhere - all of a sudden attacking with two demos in short period of time. Of course they're not from nowhere, as the band members were all playing also in Massemord... But I didn't even fully recover from Furia's debut demo "I spokój", which I liked a lot, when they unleashed a second effort - "I Krzyk", which is just 666 time better, reaching the quality reserved only for the best black metal bands.

The title song is one of the best ones ever to come out from the Polish black metal scene, really! It overwhelms with great riffing and the atmosphere. During its nine minutes Furia diversify it quite a lot, going to such extremes as fast black metal followed by soft, almost post rock like mellow guitar melodies, which by the way fit the atmosphere of the music perfectly. There's even folky Kampfar-esque riff at 7:30 to make "I Krzyk" even more interesting. "Cisza" is one fast and damn fast forward track, which I think has quite a lot of similarities to Sacrilegium's "Wicher", only it's way better recorded. The song is aggressive, the drumming mostly fast and the vocals furious as hell.

Then there's "Skrajna Nienawiść Egoistycznej Egzystencji", which is Arkona cover - a band I've never been a fan of, for many reasons... Anyway, this song is from the only Arkona album that I have in my collection ("Imperium"), so I know the original and actually it's pretty decent... Furia played it well, it sounds better than the original, so it's cool. I like the way Furia done the vocals here, as they're like the howling of tormented souls - absolutely inhuman.

If there's anything wrong about "I Krzyk", it's that it has only four songs - "Śmierć Ludzkości" is the final anthem. But from the other hand, the material is almost 30 minutes long, which is not bad for a demo anyway. Each song is over 5 or 6 minutes long... "Śmierć Ludzkości" is 06:51 and it has some of the best fragments on the demo. The great, Taake-like mid paced beginning brings that cold, gloomy atmosphere I love. And the vocals in that part... Man, absolutely fantastic! Clearly the band progressed since the first demo and their ability to play long, instrumental parts is better and better, what is proved on this song.

Putting all these things together, "I Krzyk" is worth getting for any price. I know it used to be pretty unique release, as there were not so many copies spread at the time of its release (I'm lucky to own an original copy, number 109), but only recently this demo has been re-released by Malignant Voices in 600 copies, so you just must get it now, before it's too late. Absolute must in your collection...!

Excellent - 92%

hailmarduk666, May 28th, 2009

This is a great demo. Production is top-notch, and all aspects of this band get equal recognition, and the mix is superb.

The greatest thing in my opinion about this band, is the way they change up pace. Each song on this album has it's own tone, and throughout the album, the drum scheme changes frequently, and the guitars are furiously picking away excellent chord progressions. Definitely not the typical simple tremolo picking that is usually seen. They stop, start, change course mid-riff, and go from deep and gutteral yelling to shrieking screams vocally, and it keeps everything fresh and interesting.

The drummer really needs to be recognized, as he does blasts, and also excellent mid-paced rhythms, to off-set the guitarwork. I am very impressed with this band so far, and it is only their second demo release. They just get better and better, and I have to say, it is one of my favorites from the Polish scene bar-none.

I have to place this along the lines of Taake, and Mgla regarding their excellent riffage...very melodic, and clean. There is very little reverb in the recording, which allows evident talent to shine forth. A must-have for those who enjoy the more melodic side of black metal, instead of the usual low-fi LLN type stuff that has overrun the genre.