Korozy

Korozy formed in Poland in 1994, with vocalist Robert 'Litza' Friedmann at the center. They came up playing shows in the country's underground metal scene during the post-communist years, a time when resources were often thin. Their 2002 album 'From the Cradle to the Grave' was the one that broke through for them, with the title track becoming a staple. That record pulled them out of the local clubs and into wider recognition across Europe.

Their sound is built on heavy riffs and Friedmann's vocals, with song titles like 'Keeper of the Cemetery' and 'Tsar Samuil's Endless Night' pointing toward their lyrical themes. They followed that 2002 album with others, including 'Hydra' in 2005 and 'Imperium' in 2016. The lineup has shifted around Friedmann over time, with guitarist Artur Graczyk, drummer Mariusz Prusa, and bassist Michał Jóźwiak rounding out the current group.

They've had their share of noise offstage, with rumors and disputes popping up now and then, but they kept making records. For a certain crowd, especially in Poland and parts of Europe, their shows became known for a particular kind of intensity. You can hear it in tracks like 'Neath the Devil's Shadow' or 'Within the Soul of Autumn', it's straightforward, heavy metal that doesn't bother with much polish.