When Bolt Thrower called it quits there was a vast open space left on the extreme metal scene regarding war metal or poetry of war done in atmospheric and dark way. Sabaton does great job in power metal with war themes, also Minenwerfer in black metal, but I have heard only words of praise for 1914 from Ukraine. Besides great name, fantastic band photos, these Ukrainians offer great music and I am ashamed to say, but this is their first record I have listened to and I am awed. This is kinda conceptual album with WWI thematics starting from awesome Intro that is interesting to this region and us who live in it, because it is Tamo Daleko, Serbian folk song. First opener hits you away with vocals screaming Dobrodošli u Sarajevo, talking about assassination of Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo 1914 by Gavrilo Princip, which started WWI. Lyrics are fantastic and 1914 s mixture of blackened death metal, doom, atmosphere done with samples, synths and electronics provides picture of Hell on Earth which was that war. The album also featured prominent guests as Nick Holmes and Sasha Boole. I want to hear this band live. I am sure that would be an awesome experience. Recommended songs: …and a Cross Now Marks His Place, Mitt Gott Fur Konig Und Vaterland.

10/10