Review by SzejkElRopa on October 24, 2026.

As I've been listening to black metal for quite a while, it's a shame I don't know many classics my home country has produced over the years. One day, I decided to catch up with all the releases that were absolutely influential in shaping the sound I know and enjoy today. And as autumn is slowly taking over the life around me, there was no other choice than Furia's debut album - Martwa Polska Jesień, which can be translated to "Dead Polish Autumn". It's a wordplay, because Poles tend to say "Golden Polish Autumn" when they see all the colorful leaves and everything that conjures up this time of the year.

Speaking of the music itself, it's deadly atmospheric. A thought that has appeared in my head and has been lingering in it for quite a long time is that this album is a dive into the head of somebody suffering from schizophrenia and depression simultaneously. Why, you might ask? Speaking of the latter, reading the titles is enough for that. Take a look at the fifth track - "Na ciele swym historię mą piszę" translates to "On my body I write my history". Nothing more to add. But why schizophrenic? Although it doesn't match the eeriness of the bands with an intentionally schizophrenic sound, there is at least an element of madness. The opener - "Nade mną mgła" - consists of so many tempo changes, vocal styles, and other turns, such as the two acoustic interludes, that it really takes time to get accustomed to it. Have you ever felt overwhelmed with everything? Especially in the era when, wherever you look, there is another stimulus, it is especially easy to find yourself not knowing what to do and questioning your entire existence. And that's what, in my opinion, this album wants to convey. Everything is also packed with the depressive atmosphere bursting inside this album. And on top of that, once it grows on you, it is incredibly catchy. For instance, in a certain part of "Krew w kolorze bursztynu", after a heavy, furious riff, yet another interlude appears. Following that, there is a catchy chorus. "Ślepych dzień" opens with a depressive melody and later builds tension for a long time before the vocals kick in. Moreover, one might find on this album many melodies that aren't blatantly shoved in your face and don't ruin the atmosphere at all. They might go unnoticed at first, but, as I previously said, with every listen, all those elements gain value, uncovering more and more genius behind the album. Even the bass guitar is audible at times, deepening the sound. The same can be said about the guitar solos, which are usually short, thrown in unsuspectingly, but add value to the atmosphere.

The tragedy of the album's protagonist doesn't end here, because worth noticing is the sudden slowdown in "Na ciele swym historię mą piszę", where the vocalist can even be heard crying and screaming in agony. Fortunately, it isn't done pathetically, as though a teenager was going through his breakup. The album takes a serious note for the whole time, and doesn't venture into the territories which may conjure up any more or less laughable projects. Speaking of the vocalist, as I said before, he is very expressive and absolutely, alongside the guitars, leads the album with the atmosphere. Varying from shrieks, shouts, and the aforementioned screams, Nihil delivers one of the best vocal performances I've heard in Polish black metal, maybe something similar to Stawrogin's in Odraza's "Rzeczom". I think those two albums are quite similar, yet still quite different. I find a similarity in the overall atmosphere because it finds a way to evoke the image of a depressing-looking winter, when the smell of smoke is everywhere. I'd classify that as "Polishness", because no other country has ever made me feel that way. As for the differences, while "Rzeczom" is a manifesto against other people and oneself, "Martwa Polska Jesień" offers a more introspective take, grasping the listener's attention from quite a different perspective. Well, I could talk about that for hours, but it would be boring. Lastly, on Odraza's album, drums played an exceptional role. Here they are not as outstanding, but neck-breaking, vigorous parts are still delivered, adding to the insanity. I won't say anything more - see for yourself!

Sorrow, death, insanity - whatever emotions "Martwa Polska Jesień" tries to convey, the album conveys them successfully, delivering an outstanding, mesmerising performance. If you want to experience a state of being overwhelmed by everything, worn-out, questioning your entire life, this album is undoubtedly for you. I give it 9.5/10, because rarely does one find gems like that. And it's hard for me to pinpoint any minuses. Truly, such an experience happens rarely. The only thing I am ashamed of is the fact that I will lower the average score on Metal Archives. Who knows, maybe after some time I will change it? Time will tell...

Rating: 9.5 out of 10