Representing the Zhytomyr Oblast in northwestern Ukraine, Tria Prima is a fairly new experimental death metal supergroup. Founded by frontman Ruslan Hrytsiuta (Mankind Wrath), bassist / keyboardist Serhii D. D. Bondar (Cosmic Jaguar, Bestial Invasion), and drummer Yury Sinitsky (ex-Drudkh), the trio were joined by vocalist Anira Star and guitarist / keyboardist Evgeniy Maestro (Cosmic Jaguar, Bestial Invasion) for their debut full length album – The Mortificatio.
Earlier this year, I enjoyed their EP titled Three Primes of Alchemy, which tried finding middle ground between goth and thrash and doom and death metal. It was a fun, bold, and risky effort, but lacked cohesion. The new album however, melds these sounds stronger.
Opener “Arx Fatalis” is perfect for fans of early Dimmu Borgir or prog-era Death with moody, symphonic moments and truly tight musicianship. The slower parts could even be mistaken for Behemoth.
As the tracklisting continues, there’s many creative, yet unexpected stylistic choices unveiled. Did I foresee “Mortification” to start with a bass solo, before ripping into a Cradle of Filthesque storm? Not at all, but I dig it. “Actum Exitium” is a nightmare of Castlevania heaviness, while “Magnum Opus” is morbidly epic. Wrapping up the record, “Porta Alchemica” easily boasts the best riffs that Tria Prima has written.
While rough-around-the-edges in a charming 90’s fashion, The Mortificatio shows immense promise and potential. Considering the clear talent and ingenuity as well as their underground status, I declare the debut album by Tria Prima to absolutely be the most underrated metal album of this past year. Stream and purchase The Mortificatio on Bandcamp.