Batushka / Батюшка (Poland) Auckland Headline Show Announced

The Polish metal project founded and led by Krzysztof Drabikowski (aka Христофорь), Batushka / Батюшка's mysteriously atmospheric ceremonial aesthetic was initially sparked by the observation that "holy songs are more metal than any satanic black metal." Bemasked and enshrouded in ornate garments referencing Eastern Orthodox monasticism, Batushka's 2015 debut album Litourgiya / Литоургиiа — featuring lyrics entirely written in Church Slavonic language — established them as a striking voice in extreme music, both onstage and on record, with 2019's studio long player Panihida / Панихида furthering Drabikowski's ritualistic sonic vision. Finally down under for an Aotearoa headline date with Drabikowski at the helm, Batushka will play at Karangahape Road's subterranean Double Whammy on 17th January.

NOTE FOR NZ METAL MANIACS: The band calling themselves Batushka who played here last year have since changed their name to Patriarkh, as ordered by Polish courts. This will be the first time the original Batushka, led by Drabikowski, perform in Aotearoa...

Batushka
Saturday 17th January - Double Whammy, Auckland
Tickets on sale from 9am, Wednesday 3rd September via UTR

Experience 'Песнь 1' from Batushka's 2019 album Panihida...

Press release:

The real Batushka – the enigmatic and powerful band, that redefined black metal with its ceremonial aesthetic and unique atmosphere, led by Krzysztof Drabikowski, will finally tour Down Under.

Following the well-known split that divided the name Batushka, this will be the first opportunity for the fans to witness the original and authentic band, with their unique and ritualistic approach to black metal, deeply inspired by Slavic Orthodox liturgical traditions.

After the release of the masterful Litourgiya, BATUSHKA created a phenomenon that combines the orthodox ecclesiastical aesthetic with dark, atmospheric black metal. The group is known for its theatrical appearances, with scenes reminiscent of ecclesiastical ceremonies and members covered with monastic robes, creating an apocalyptic and eerie spectacle. BATUSHKA have managed to create their own unique musical world, reinterpreting religious iconography with extreme metal, which has made them one of the most recognizable and iconic bands of contemporary extreme sound. Their stage presence and compelling music have captivated audiences and critics worldwide, turning each of their appearances into a unique experience.

Batushka formed in 2015 in Białystok, Poland. Their songs deal with Orthodoxy, and their lyrics are in the Old Slavonic language. The word Batushka (Cyrillic: Батюшка), meaning Father, is the titular equivalent of a hieromonk in Eastern Orthodoxy or, broadly, of any Orthodox priest. The idea for the band came to multi-instrumentalist Krzysztof Drabikowski while reading comments on YouTube under videos of Orthodox music and how “holy songs are more metal than any satanic black metal”. The band initially decided to remain anonymous and masked, somewhat devoid of identity in order to focus listeners more on the music itself. They released their first single “Yekteníya VII”, followed by their debut album Литургия (“Litourgiya”) (“Lithurgy”) in December 2015. The album became a huge hit on the metal scene and secured the band great popularity and performances at numerous festivals.

Batushka soon split into two bands: one led by Drabikowski, the other led by Bartłomiej “Bart” Krysiuk, now called Patriarkh.

In 2019, Drabikowski with the band also released the album Panihida (Requiem) with eight songs, which received great reviews, and was also very well received by the metal scene. In May 2024, Polish courts ruled in Drabikowski's favor regarding the rights to the bands name.

The band’s immersive visual and sonic experience is set to transport the audience into a transcendental realm, where spirituality and the sheer power of extreme metal merge into a truly hypnotic spectacle. Don’t miss the chance to witness Batushka in its purest and most genuine form.