PATRIARKH – Wierszalin IV (feat. Eliza Sacharczuk)

Patriarkh is a Polish black metal band that emerged in 2024 following a legal dispute over the name “Batushka.” The original Batushka, founded in 2015 by Krzysztof Drabikowski, gained recognition for blending black metal with Eastern Orthodox liturgical elements. In 2017, Bartłomiej “Bart” Krysiuk, then the lead vocalist, attempted to take control of the band, leading to two parallel bands under the same name. In 2024, Polish courts ruled in favor of Drabikowski, granting him exclusive rights to the name Batushka. Consequently, Krysiuk rebranded his version of the band as Patriarkh in September 2024.

Patriarkh’s music continues the fusion of black metal with Eastern Orthodox themes, characterized by the use of Church Slavonic language and religious iconography. Their debut album, “ПРОРОК ИЛИЯ” (Prophet Elijah), released on January 3, 2025, via Napalm Records, is a concept album that narrates the story of Eliasz Klimowicz, a self-proclaimed prophet from the 1930s and 40s.

Additionally, Eliza Sacharczuk and Maciej Maleńczuk have contributed vocals to the band’s projects.