Welcome, readers, to my review of Esencja, the debut album from Polish black metal band Vokkr.

The band’s lineup features

Vitautas Kashkurevich — vocals, composer
Ihar Tsudzin — bass
Bo Janiak — guitar
Raman Kapitonau — drums

I stumbled across this release by pure luck while browsing Bandcamp—as I often do. The artwork instantly caught my attention, and, curious like a cat, I decided to give it a listen. I’m glad I did, because that day I discovered a diamond in the rough.

Instead of covering every single track, I’ll be highlighting some standout moments and a few of my personal favorites from the album.

Track 1

The opener makes a strong first impression with its crisp sound. I love how the guitarist uses a super clean tone to start the mix. First moments of an album often set the tone, and this one nails it. The transition into a heavier, down-hitting beat—while still keeping that clean guitar layered over—adds great texture. The drums perfectly complement the other instruments, never overcomplicating but instead providing a solid backbone. The simple high-string melody in the closing section is soothing and leaves a lasting impression. A great start.

Track 2

This track begins with an authentic cough before diving into a bittersweet, melancholic melody. It feels wholesome yet sad, especially with the methodical, low-pitched vocal delivery that leans more toward a spoken style. The chorus is incredibly catchy and sticks in your head. The closing section features some tasteful hammer-ons with that now-recognizable “Vokkr tone.” A beautifully crafted piece.

Track 3

Every album has that one song that comes out of nowhere and dropkicks you in the mouth—this is it. The riff, the vocals, the prominent bassline, and the hard-hitting drums make this a powerhouse. The breakdown sections, paired with quick hi-hat hits, land perfectly. Track placement here is spot on—impactful and memorable.

Track 5

Another standout for me. The strong 4/4 drum intro immediately sets a proud, commanding tone, almost like a call to attention before the rest of the instruments enter. As the track unfolds, the atmospheric elements and ambient layers create a sense of space that contrasts beautifully with the driving rhythm. The subtle hammer-ons in the background give it an undercurrent of motion, adding texture without ever feeling cluttered. Though shorter than some of the longer pieces on the album, its conciseness works in its favor—it hits hard, makes its statement, and leaves a lingering impression. That brevity paired with its intensity is what makes it land so strongly, and it easily secures a spot in my personal top five.

Track 7

The tremolo-picked guitar opening is fantastic, quickly shifting into a chug-heavy section where guitars and drums lock together perfectly. The doom-inspired slow chords provide weight and atmosphere. Around 1:51, another tremolo passage bursts in, bringing the track to life and building toward a grand crescendo where all the layers collide. Excellent dynamics here.

Track 8

Probably my favourite on the album. The vocals sound as though someone is standing on a mountain, calling out to the gods—a commanding and atmospheric delivery. The guitar chords are bold, and the layered tremolo work creates vivid soundscapes you can practically see in your mind. The tempo shift halfway through brings a headbang-worthy passage before circling back to the opening chord progression. Pure brilliance.

Track 10

This was another one of my favourite tracks. For me, it was the vocals and bass that made this song so strong. The basslines are really thick, and unlike a lot of black metal in this style, you can actually hear them clearly. On top of that, the vocals sound raw and authentically “black metal,” which gives the track a harsher edge that fits perfectly. I also enjoyed the additional layers in the background—those extra touches and “untraditional” instruments give the song more character and make it stand out.

Final Thoughts

Esencja showcases a band with undeniable talent. Vokkr balance headbanging heaviness with moments of melancholy and atmosphere, weaving in rich guitar textures, dynamic drums, and standout bass work. The closing track, in particular, is incredible.

I always love stumbling upon bands like this, and I’m happy to give Esencja a 9/10.