The True Batushka (PL) @ The Corner Hotel (16/01/2026)
- Tia Babatzikos
- 13 minutes ago
- 2 min read
An incense filled room adorned by flickering candlelight and faceless, cloaked figures taking to the stage. The ceremony was about to begin...
The True Batushka (PL) played their debut Melbourne show on January 16th and it was genuinely one of the most unique live music experiences I had ever been a part of.
The gig took place at The Corner Hotel in Richmond, and the iconic small grungy venue was the perfect backdrop to the intimate magic that would take place.
Germ, the solo project of Australian musician Tim Yatras, opened up the night and set the atmosphere with his darkly ethereal and heavily melancholic sound. Yatras who is also known for being the second half of black-metal band Austere, Performed tracks such as 'Butterfly' alongside his band against an ice blue backdrop.
Pained wails screamed over blast beats, while ethereal and blackgaze elements entranced the crowd, gaving us a taste of what was to come later in the night.
With the original lineup, led by founder Krzysztof Drabikowski, The True Batushka hails from Polish and is a black metal band that takes thier inspiration from the sounds and aesthetics of the Eastern Orthodox church.
The band silently took to the stage under deep red lighting, dressed in full length embroidered black cloaks and hoods that enshrouded their faces. They began to slowly light candles onstage as the smell of heavy incense engulfed the room.
Golden framed Orthodox iconography and skull decor sat alongside the band as they began to play, the first doomingly heavy notes reverberating through the intimate space. The atmosphere was absolutely palpable and intoxicating.
Performing songs written exclusively in Church Slavonic language, Batushka played the entirety of their 'Panihida' album and some tracks from the 'Litourgiya' album.
Utilising eight-string guitars, choir vocals and an overall soul-penetrating heaviness, hearing each song live for the first time could only be comparable to an otherworldly experience.
From splashing the audience with holy water off a branch, to the whole band remaining fully in character for the entire set, this performance was so beautifully immersive and spellbinding. The music combined with the overall ambience was honestly indescribable.
It was truly one of the most unique and memorable live music experiences of my life. being not only a witness to the band on the stage, but also becoming one in an audience of participants was an enthralling feeling. Like taking part in a ritual yourself. If you ever find yourself in a position to see The True Batushka live, please fucking do it!
