Origin: Bosnia and Herzegovina
Formed: 2015
Location: N/A
Genre: Raw Black Metal
Status: Active
Label: Independent
Themes: Not officially listed
Vrkolak is a raw black metal project from Bosnia and Herzegovina, active since 2015 and belonging to the VIIIXIII collective—one of the most secretive and extreme enclaves of the Balkan underground. Like its sister projects (AiqĂ«hahirit, DräkavtrĂ©, HumnerĂ«, LlahtarĂ«, TmärrdhĂ«, VetĂ«vrakh, VrasĂ«sinerĂ«zve), Vrkolak embraces a fiercely primitive, hostile, and occult‑driven form of black metal. The project’s name, referencing the folkloric werewolf, reflects its feral, nocturnal, and predatory sonic identity.
Vrkolak’s music is rooted in the harshest traditions of raw black metal: abrasive tremolo riffs, suffocating distortion, and vocals delivered with a bestial, unhinged intensity. The production is intentionally lo‑fi, creating a dense, spectral haze that aligns with the VIIIXIII aesthetic—violent, ritualistic, and spiritually corrosive. The project’s atmosphere leans heavily into themes of nocturnal terror, spectral forces, and Balkan occultism, though no official thematic statements have been made.
The debut demo Legion of Spectral Night (2017) introduced Vrkolak’s sound with a barrage of cold, chaotic riffing and an atmosphere steeped in darkness and spectral dread. The 2019 split Darkness Calleth upon Us expanded the project’s presence within the underground, showcasing a more refined yet equally savage approach. In 2022, Vrkolak returned with a split alongside Lythany, further solidifying its position within the international raw black metal network.
The project reached its most ambitious point with the 2024 full‑length Carpathian Tyranny Returns, a release that channels the ancient, folkloric, and violent spirit of the Carpathian region through a raw, relentless black metal assault. The album was noted in underground circles for its consistency, atmosphere, and dedication to the VIIIXIII ethos—eschewing modernity in favor of pure, unfiltered extremity.
Vrkolak’s sole known member, V. D. E., is deeply embedded in the VIIIXIII collective and has contributed to numerous related projects. This interconnectedness gives Vrkolak a distinct identity within the collective: colder, more spectral, and steeped in a uniquely Balkan sense of nocturnal menace.
Current:
Past:
Legion of Spectral Night — Demo (2017)
Darkness Calleth upon Us — Split (2019)
Lythany / Vrkolak — Split (2022)
Carpathian Tyranny Returns — Full‑length (2024)