Udręka are a black metal band from Poland and this is their debut album.
Nieistnienie contains 39 minutes of ferocious modern black metal. Spliced with elements of hardcore and death metal to give it additional power and bulk, this is an imposing release that’s filled with grim sonic violence. Udręka have come out of nowhere and knocked me out with this rampaging record.
The music is brutal and merciless. It’s a portrayal of urban darkness and bleak modernity. Udręka explore their dangerous world with contemporary skill, taking the classic black metal sound and dragging it ruthlessly into 2026.
The songs are well-written and are packed with engaging, enjoyable content. They’re surprisingly well-rendered and fully realised for a debut album, with a lot more variety, depth, and interesting ideas and details than you would typically expect. This doesn’t manifest in a wildly experimental way or anything like that. Rather, Udręka benefit from a strong foundation of quality songwriting, and then build in a range of different musical touches and enrichments that appear usually when you don’t expect them to. It makes listening to Nieistnienie a fresh, fertile experience.
Apart from these creative flourishes, the core of the music is modern black metal, injected with hardcore energy and the occasional dose of crushing death metal riffs. Nieistnienie is absolutely rammed with top tier harsh vocals, scathing melodies, murderous riffs, punishing grooves, blasting intensity, blistering solos, and drums that hit hard. More important than anything else though, Udręka have songs. Actual, proper, memorable songs. The hooks are deeply embedded into the music’s hateful assault, and once Nieistnienie has its claws in you, you just can’t get enough of it.
Nieistnienie is vicious and fiery. Udręka have produced a strong, enjoyable record that’s hard to put down. Don’t let this album burn brightly and then disappear – make sure you check out Nieistnienie and spend some time with this talented band.
Essential listening.
Wonderbox Metal 