Regardless of the ongoing political and legal issues between the original members of the formation, the tangible reality of the situation is that two bands have released full-fledged, professionally designed albums, each declared as the true continuation of Batushka`s discography. Now that we`ve had the opportunity to properly examine both records in their entirety, perhaps we can let the music speak for itself, in more substantive arguments about the artistic value presented by each: evaluated holistically, which is stronger and a better composed black metal album? What shows more innovation and lasting vitality in the aesthetic context of the band`s discography? Which album pursues the true philosophy and basic essence of Batushka, the vital spirit responsible for raising this name to its current level of notoriety? God Seed was founded in March 2009 by Gaahl and King ov Hell after the court settled the dispute over the name of the Gorgoroth group. An album was to be released in 2009 during the Gorgoroth name dispute. After Gaahl and King ov Hell lost the legal dispute, they intended to release the album under the name God Seed, taking the name of a Gorgoroth song. The band existed from March 2009 to July 2009 before Gaahl left the band after deciding to retire from the metal scene. King brought the songs for God Seed`s debut album to a new project called Ov Hell, with Shagrath replacing Gaahl as vocalist. King and Gaahl reunited in 2012 as God Seed. „because of inappropriate behavior on his part“ and „tries to remove my Batushka creation“. Then Krysiuk finally took over the Batushka Socials, claiming that „Kris.
Earlier this month, he was told that he would not participate in Batushka`s activities when we enter 2019″ and that Batushka would „continue with plans to release new music and start a new tour cycle in 2019!“ Despite public reaction, Krysiuk`s version of the band continued to tour,[24][25][26] and performed at various festivals, especially replacing Dimmu Borgir at Bloodstock Open Air. [27] and start of a European tour co-headlined with Belphegor on November 10, 2021. On September 6, Krysiuks Batushka uploaded a trailer for a documentary titled „Batushka: Uncovering the Truth“ about the name conflict and split between Krysiuk and Drabikowski. However, no other updates or release dates have been announced since the initial announcement. Amid the reaction, Krysiuk`s band cancelled the Australian and North American tours with Polish band Hate. [28] [29] [30] Although no official reason was given for the premiere, Krysiuk later issued a statement saying that both tours were cancelled due to the cost of the legal dispute. Krysiuk later stated that the planned European tour would continue and revealed his intention to work on new music,[31][32] but on January 6 it was announced that the European tour would be postponed indefinitely because an unspecified member of Krysiuk`s band was to „undergo medical treatment.“ Bart wants money and urges Derph to release the next album as soon as possible, but Derph is not yet satisfied with it, so he waits to release it. Shady Bart announces to Derph that he is leaving the band, but secretly records another album with other musicians, secretly marks the band, secretly deprives Derph of all legal rights to the band and secretly takes control of all of Batushka`s social media. Bart fired Derph from the band (now legally his band) and released his album (Hospodi) under the nickname Batushka on Metalblade Records. Derph takes the situation to court. Legal proceedings are still ongoing today.
All of the group`s social media (except those mentioned below) is under Bart`s control. Bart`s band played at a few festivals and had to cancel all the concerts on their (solo) tour due to very poor ticket sales. Derph started his Panihida tour in 2019 in mostly sold-out venues, but had to postpone many shows due to Covid-19. www.metalsucks.net/2019/06/07/polish-court-grants-barts-batushka-the-right-to-use-band-name-while-lawsuit-continues/amp/ Why am I reading here that the court only granted Bart temporary leave to continue during the current proceedings? According to this article, the case is not yet over. On May 6, 2019, Drabikowski published an update on the trial, stating that the court had ruled that Bartłomiej Krysiuk could not shoot under the name „Batushka“ or release new music under the nickname until the trial was over. [14] Despite uncertainty about the band`s status, tour dates have been set from June 2019. Krysiuk also said he did not intend to abide by the court`s decision. A month later, Krysiuk published an update in which his legal team managed to appeal the reversal of the court`s decision prohibiting him from using the nickname „Batushka“ for touring and merchandising while the case continues, but Drabikowski is still allowed to use the band`s name in various capacities, despite Krysiuk`s attempts to censor it through bans and removals on Bandcamp and social media.
[15] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Krysiuk`s version of the band was also forced to cancel and postpone performances and tours, he then released 2 EPs; Raskol and Carju Niebiesnyj in August 2020 and March 2021 respectively, as well as a live album for Christmas 2020. All three records were released under Krysiuk`s own label, Witching Hour Productions, which led to speculation about his deal with Metal Blade amid the legal dispute over the Batushka name. In a counterclaim, Drabikovsky uploaded a video statement claiming that Krysiuk pressured him to release the new album, and when he disagreed, Krysiuk then hired „musicians to produce an album he wanted to release as a new Batushka album behind [his] back.“ He also explained that he filed a lawsuit because his lawyer advised him not to say anything else, and that the photos on the website and Facebook page came from Krysiuk and people like his son claiming to be Batushka. [13] How long will the legal situation last? Metal Blade would have been swimming in the money if they hadn`t listened to Beard. In the new conversation with Dark Art Conspiracy, Drabikowski first gives a brief update on the trial and reveals that the first trial will take place „soon“: There are far too positive things about the legal situation around Batushka – but we expect a long process and despite the mediation with Derph and me, we have not gone any closer to resolving our differences. The breakup of the band was a big topic of the scene in 2019. There have been injunctions and lawsuits around the name of the group. What is the current state of affairs? These were all preliminary proceedings. Internet trolls were working and people were eager to get on with the subject, and it became a soap opera. There are hundreds of such disintegrations in the metal scene, for example Immortal, Gorgoroth, Rhapsody or recently on the same basis as ours: Children Of Bodom. However, in our case, several people wanted to turn it into a complete mess, they worked on it. In part, they have achieved their goal.
As for the legal aspects of this case, the process has not even begun yet and will take many years. The whole affair will then have a completely different story. A lot has happened since the release of Batushka`s debut album, Litourgiya, in 2015. Just three years after their debut album, the Polish black metal duo has been facing a legal dispute since December 2018. Kryzstof „Derph“ Drabikowski and Bartłomiej „Bart“ Krysiuk claimed that they were both the true version of the band. Since then, the duo has broken up, where Krysiuk`s version of the band signed with Metal Blade and released Drabikowski`s new album Hospodi and Drabikowski`s Batushska released the new album Панихида. Krysiuk`s version recently announced plans to embark on a North American tour, and now the hike has been canceled due to the ongoing legal battle. Batushka founder Krzysztof Drabikowski gave a new interview to Dark Art Conspiracy in which he openly talks about the legal dispute with his former bandmate Bartłomiej Krysiuk, accusing him of „ruining Batushka`s name“ and saying that he „deceived so many people.“ Elsewhere in the interview, Drabikowski talks about his lyrical approach to what fan support means to him, revealing that he has a number of live shows in the works for 2020.