We asked Patriarkh (formerly Batushka) frontman Bartłomiej “Барфоломей” Krysiuk what his five favorite records are, and these were his picks! The following was written entirely Krysiuk. Patriarkh recently released their first album under the Patriarkh name ПРОРОК ИЛИЯ (PROROK ILJA), which you can get right here.

Bathory – Hammerheart

Bathory is the foundation of my journey into metal music, which began in the late eighties. Unlike many, I didn’t start my musical education with classic heavy metal albums; in fact, I can’t stand “heavy metal” at all. My soul was immediately drawn to the darker, more extreme music.

I love Bathory‘s albums, particularly The Return, Under the Sign of the Black Mark, and Blood Fire Death. However, I absolutely adore Hammerheart for its authenticity, rawness, theatricality, sound, lyrics, and atmosphere. I could listen to this album fifty times a day, every day, and never get bored. It is Quorthon‘s absolute opus magnum, the essence of black metal, and a definitive guide on how to play the genre.

Celtic Frost – To Mega Therion

My first encounter with Tom‘s work felt like a powerful punch in the jaw—his ultra-heavy riffs combined with a distinct rock ‘n’ roll vibe truly captivated me. I have a deep admiration for Celtic Frost and for Tom himself; I appreciate his heavy-handed approach, his immortal UGHH, and the melancholy that permeates his music. The atmosphere in all his recordings resonates with me. I’ve followed his career from Hellhammer to Celtic Frost and now Triptykon, and I’m grateful that he remains true to his sound while becoming even more dignified and heavier with each new release.

Morbid Angel – Blessed Are The Sick

When I first listened to this album and saw the videos on MTV, I felt as if Beelzebub himself had come down from hell to produce it. No one has ever played death metal with such theatricality and brutality. This music transports you to a different dimension of extremes while providing a perfect musical spectacle. One of the unique aspects of this album is David Vincent‘s voice; he is unmatched and arguably the best death metal vocalist ever!

Queen – A Night At The Opera

As a small child living in the countryside, I often spent time with my uncles. They made their work more enjoyable by playing music. When I was about ten years old, I heard “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen for the first time, and it was incredibly exciting for me as a young boy. I also noticed how much my uncles enjoyed Queen‘s music. Since that day, Queen has been a constant companion in my life, and I consider A Night at the Opera to be the most revolutionary, groundbreaking, and captivating rock album of all time.

Adele – 21

Adele is my love, and I can’t express enough how much I adore all of her albums. They accompany me everywhere: on trips, at work, and during breaks between concerts. Her music brings me solace and the joy of singing along with her voice.