Last February 21, Raskolnikov released their fourth album, “Gorgon’Zola”, through Manic Depression Records and Icy Cold Records. This new album continues their unique path and establishes them among the must-listen bands of the era. The band is Jérôme Blum, Pablo Garrido, and Mathieu Pawelski-Szpiechowycz, and they got their name from the main character of Dostoyevsky’s legendary Crime and Punishment book.
On their Official Website, I see they quote
“Raskolnikov’s music offers a content that is as melancholic as it is hypnotic and energetic, accompanied by existentialist texts, of futile redemption and the bitterness of Being.”
This is absolutely true, and it is truly admirable how their talent transforms this quote into the audio proof of their existence. It’s not only that in each of the 8 new songs the directness of their intentions is undeniable, it’s not only that they have a real vision for what kind of music they want to play, it’s not just that they’re a (very) good band, but also that Raskolnikov gets straight to the heart of their themes in each song, without flourishes and any unnecessary “prologue”. The band offers a stunning blend of post-punk and shoegaze, while at times, the guitar sounds sharp and bold, yet it doesn’t stray into a noise rock territory. Throughout, there’s a subtle sense of melancholy that, to my ears, often conveys a sense of hope. This band is one of those in recent years that delivers music that transcends the norms and biases typically associated with “traditional” genres of our tribe, and this is precisely what will continue to evolve the kind of rock music that began in…1979. “Stockholm IV” is the opener of the album…
…and the “risk” is also reflected in “Masterfreak”, a song that warned about the album about a year ago…
The new album also contains 2 classic (now) poems, one by Maiakovski,“Voznesenie”, and anothern one by Baudelaire through the immortal Les Fleurs du Mal…“L’Irréparable”.
There are several “incidents” occurring throughout this record, with the band’s words, lyrics, riffs, refrains, and musical adventures unfolding with remarkable comfort and ease. It feels like a diary of a specific period when, back in 2025, AD. Raskolnikov released that album, “Gorgon’Zola”, which the tribe was buzzing about. I believe that even ten years from now, regardless of what direction the band takes in their course, they will fondly look back on this album. I also think this is the record that may take them to airports around the world for touring.
I believe you can see that we have one of the best albums of the year here. It’s an album I will revisit frequently, not only at home but especially on the radio, because the world needs to hear about Raskolnikov‘s new album. Press play, listen loud, here we go!!!
Keep up with Raskolnikov:
Photo by Gabrielle Marbach
Written by Mike D.
