PATRIARKH (Formerly BATUSHKA) Announces New Album, Streams "ВЕРШАЛИН III"

Patriarkh – the band formerly known as Batushka fronted by Bartłomiej "Варфоломей" Krysiuk – has announced their debut album under the new name ПРОРОК ИЛИЯ (PROROK ILJA) for January 3. Patriarkh is now streaming the first single "ВЕРШАЛИН III" ("WIERSZALIN III") alongside a video directed by Hiatsyntos.

"'WIERSZALIN III' is the first single that announces our new release PROROK ILJA (Lat.) and it probably best reflects the diversity and musical multidimensionality of this album," said Patriarkh of the single.

"Just as the titular Prophet Ilja built New Jerusalem in Podlasie, we are building our new identity and showing our new musical face. Listen and share your impressions…"

Pre-orders for ПРОРОК ИЛИЯ are available here.

What is the new Patriarkh album about?

ПРОРОК ИЛИЯ is about the true story of Eliasz Klimowicz, the Prophet Ilja, an illiterate peasant who was the leader of the Orthodox Grzybowska Sect which was active until the 1960s.

"With this new release, we are starting a new chapter in our history – not only is our name changing, but our music is also undergoing a natural evolution. The story on the album encouraged us to get out of our comfort zone, we reached for means that we had not used before in our music," said Patriarkh of the record.

"Many of you will wonder if this is still black metal? Or is it even metal? Radio play, audiobook, theater, film soundtrack, folk music, performance… All these terms will fit here. Some will hate, others will love…"

What happened to Batushka?

Long story short, Krysiuk's Batushka changed their name to Patriarkh after Krysiuk lost a legal battle against Batushka founder Krzysztof "Derph" Drabikowski over the Batushka name.

Drabikowski and Krysiuk split in 2018, with Krysiuk continuing on as Batushka without Drabikowski. Krysiuk's Batushka signed to Metal Blade for the 2019 record Hospodi, and then signed to Napalm Records for a second release without Drabikowski under the Batushka name.

Now in a post-lawsuit world, Krysiuk's Batushka is Patriarkh and Drabikowski owns the Batushka name.