Belarusian sludge/doom/death quartet Matraque will release their crushing debut album, Nature Morte, on May 1, 2025, via Lithuania’s Ashen Tree Records. Hailing from Minsk, the band—Vlad B. (guitar), Anton M. (drums), Evgeniy S. (bass), and Alexander G. (vocals, synths)—delivers a raw, atmospheric assault, with their 11-minute lead single “Kola” already available to stream and watch on YouTube.
Drawing from Grief, Meth Drinker, and Primitive Man, Nature Morte blends low, sluggish soundscapes with mid-tempo bursts, channeling anger into despair through Belarusian lyrics. Formed in spring 2023, Matraque’s members bring experience from projects like Rowan, Televoid, and Łaska, crafting a sound akin to Body Void and Bismuth. The five-track album, recorded at Chili Records and Zeleniy Lug, is mixed and mastered by Alexander G. at Gasprodmusic, with art by Marta Shcherbich and logo by Olga Kisielewicz.
Tracklist:
- Kola
- Pustazelle
- Malimon
- Volya
- Pry`py`nak
Pre-order on CD, cassette, and digital at ashentreerecords.bandcamp.com.