What does almighty names such as Drudkh, Hate Forest and Rattenfänger have in common?
They are all the results of conjurations in the mind of Roman Sayenko. Somewhere in the fields of Ukraine, the dots connected, the lines took form and inspiration took flight. The mastermind of so many well-crafted bands once again steps beyond familiar borders and creates something that cannot easily be placed in the center of any of his previous projects, even if it bears similarities here and there.
Although witches trials and subsequent death(s) have been the theme of many Metal albums, the ones that took place in western Ukraine have not yet been explored in depth, as far as I know. In good Sayenko fashion, he remains close to home, investigates further into what had happened and digging into corners, transforming them into music that blends the occult, witchcraft, and the past into his own vision.
“Infanticide” opens the album with fast-paced drum work, riffs that are hard hitting on one hand yet melodic to their core on the other. Above this controlled chaos rise the well-known commanding vocals, covering the music with a second layer of aggression. Thus the tone is pretty much already set for the entire album – it’s fierce and connects well with the fact that the days of recording this were short in order to have a not-very-polished result, in a good way.
The history continues with “Investigation”, where one could easily detect the influence of its big brother, Drudkh, where that unmistaken type of sound we all know and love is merged with complex yet none-tiring song structures. The track shifts constantly, altering its pace without sacrificing from the atmosphere the band works hard on creating.
A medium-paced, almost empathy-laden rhythm section dominates much of Windswept’s sound. “Tortue & Confession” deliver a groove that slips under the skin, driven by steady double-bass work before suddenly shedding its form and erupting into a faster, merciless onslaught. This momentum carries into the brutal “The Potion”, which itself undergoes transformation: a calm, melancholic guitar tone emerges near the end, guiding the listener out of the violence like a final hint of light.
While not as infamous as the Salem witch trials or the pursuits of England’s Witchfinder General, the witch trials in Ukraine—documented between 1753 and 1754 in the records of Kremenets Castle—hold a unique, personal significance for the creator of this album. Compared to those distant historical events, these feel far closer to home.
As is typical for an album of this kind, do not expect short bursts of intensity; most tracks run over seven minutes. Yet unlike many bands that stretch their compositions thin, Windswept maintains constant interest. New moments continuously unfold, and the contrasts between “Nest of the Witches” and “Verdicts” illustrate this perfectly: two entirely different songs, one driven by classic Heavy Metal rhythms drenched in tortured vocals, the other built on a backbone of melodic guitars that guide the track toward its ultimate—well—verdict.
“The Devil’s Vertep” immerses the listener into a world of executions, trials, torture, and the death-ridden atmosphere that hung over anyone accused of witchcraft. It succeeds in conveying this unpolished, grim, and oppressive feeling with absolute conviction.
Rating: 8/10
Release Date: December 12th 2025
Label: Season of Mist
Tracklist:
- Infanticide
- Investigation
- Torture & Confession
- The Potion
- Nest of the Witches
- Verdicts
