Polish folk metal band, Diabol Boruta (or The Devil Of Borut), released this nine track acoustic album, Borutus Akustikus, through Via Nocturna Records in March this year. This is the bands fifth studio alum and is a selection of their songs performed acoustically with additional instruments and arrangements, featuring one previously unreleased track. Borutus Akustikus was created after the band had performed at a charity concert called "Solidarity With Ukraine' at the Wanda Siemaszkowa Theater in Rzeszow, Poland in Feb this year.
I have to admit to being unfamiliar with Diabol Boruta until very recently. Even though the band have been on the scene since 2010 they have not appeared on my radar until now really which is an oversight on my part as their style is one that I enjoy and for anyone else that are into bands like Eluvietie, Heidevolk and Metsatoll then Diabol Boruta will very much appeal to you! Listening to a few of their previous albums for context I noticed that they do a cover of "Vodka" by Korpiklaani which is always great fun!
It seems to me that Diabol Boruta are on the slower side of folk metal and like to build up their songs gradually rather then throw everything in all at once. They do have some dramatic sounding stuff but they all start with great haunting and atmospheric intros. Great for sparking the imagination which is folk metals main appeal for me. Borutus Akustikus being an acoustic album starts off quite chilled and serene. I love the use of dual male and female vocals sung in their native tongue and they harmonise perfectly. They also use a great combination of different additional instruments like the accordion, ocarina, tin whistle and I think I picked out a hurdy gurdy or crank lyre on the track "Czarownica". As I say, the first part of the album is quite chill, which to say is that it has an atmosphere with a wilderness feel to it, but as you get past the fifth track it starts to pick up with a more rousing polka feel, which is a great contrast to the start. Stand out tracks for me are the aforementioned "Czarownica", "Srebrne Zmije" which is very bouncy, and "Sobotki".
Recorded, mixed and mastered by Diabol Boruta's founding member Pawel Leniart, it sounds fairly standard for an acoustic album. The levels all seem well balanced so you can pick out individual instruments which are played by talented musicians, however it does feel a little lacking in something. This is an album that I would happily put on but it does kind of fade into the background a little for me, however the more up beat parts will have you tapping your toes for sure.
Borutus Akustikus is available for purchase either directly from the band or via Diabol Boruta's webstore.
