Review by Tomek on September 7, 2026.

“Bastard” holds a huge sentimental value for me. It radically changed my idea of what KAT could be and played a major role in shaping my musical taste at the time. But memories alone aren’t enough to justify such a high rating. Even after all these years, this remains an extraordinary piece of work and, in my opinion, one of the most ambitious albums KAT ever created.

Genre-wise, “Bastard” is extremely difficult to pin down. Progressive and incredibly technical thrash form the backbone, but KAT throws plenty of elements borrowed from other, often distant styles into the mix. The result is an album full of contrasts, ambiguity, and mystery. From the amazingly clear and sharp yet fucking heavy and dry sound to the excellent production, everything works in its favor. There is plenty of space; even the most tangled passages remain understandable, and the smallest details in the arrangements are beautifully highlighted.

And then there are the songs. Unique, surprising, twisted, aggressive, daring, melodic, atmospheric, beautiful and, at times, downright strange. From the very beginning, you are hit with an avalanche of ideas and outstanding musicianship. There is so much happening that it can be difficult to keep track of everything, and just when you think you have a particular element figured out, another idea comes flying at you from a completely different direction.

Most of the songs run for more than five minutes, giving the musicians plenty of room to explore. Structures twist and turn, rhythms change at lightning speed, solos go completely off the rails, and atmospheric passages appear before familiar motifs eventually return. KAT doesn’t simply slaughter you with its riffs; the main motifs are burned into your memory forever, while the extended, completely deranged solos are simply insane. It is a masterpiece.

There are two notable exceptions to the mayhem. The instrumental miniature 'N.D.C.' feels almost like a jazz improvisation, filled with fantastic melodies, while 'Łza Dla Cieniów Minionych' is a beautiful, epic ballad. It may be the simplest piece on the album, but it carries the same crushing, perhaps even depressing atmosphere found throughout the rest of the record.

Every member of KAT gave everything they had to create something that would last. “Bastard” is arguably the band’s most technically demanding and difficult album to digest, and it often feels like KAT simply didn’t give a shit about catering to less attentive listeners. Their goal was artistic fulfillment. Mission accomplished.

Roman Kostrzewski’s lyrics, including quotations from Miciński, add yet another layer of complexity, while his fearless vocal performance refuses to follow any rigid rules. The music and lyrics belong together here, giving the songs another dimension that continues to reveal itself with repeated listens.

“Bastard” remains controversial and certainly isn’t for everyone. Personally, I consider it a masterpiece. My only complaint is that its fifty-minute running time feels far too short. Considering the astronomical level of this material, I could happily listen to another hour of this glorious noise.

Rating: 10 out of 10