https://youtu.be/KvWIxDMsp-o
Band info
Band: SKOJ
Single: ‘Zora Sivog Sokola‘
Released: January 9th, 2025
Genre: black metal
Location: Bosnia and Herzegovina
Review
Very often the projects we promote in some subversive way oppose the traditional black metal narrative appropriated by nationalists. For example, the history of World War II. How many bands playing the so-called “war metal”, are so close to glorifying Nazism? Why are their panzer divisions always Nazi, and why does the Third Reich always shine from the lyrics and covers? Well, we all know why.
The EP of SKOJ, the project we’re presenting today is titled “Zora Sivog Sokola”, and thematically remains precisely in World War II, specifically in the area of Nazi-occupied Yugoslavia. The name SKOJ itself is an acronym for a socialist organization founded before the war, which will be the theme of this EP. An anti-fascist partisan fighting against the Nazi occupiers and the Chetniks and Ustasze who collaborated with them.
Musically, we have here a fast-played raw black metal with black death slower moments. And while it’s hard to give any complete opinion based on two tracks, it’s safe to say that SKOJ has released material of a really good level. Attention is drawn to both the guitar-chopping raw riffs, accompanied by appropriately condemning vocals (in Bosnian?) and the extended and interestingly led drums, to which the bass rumbles appropriately mercilessly.
The EP, in two tracks, recounts the history of the Battle of Sutjeska or Operation Schwarz, a joint attack by the Axis Powers that took place from 15 May to 16 June 1943. Its aim was to destroy the main force of Yugoslav partisans near the Sutjeska River in southeastern Bosnia. The failure of the offensive marked a turning point for Yugoslavia during World War II.