I stumbled upon the Slovenian black metal/dark ambient project Teufel entirely by chance while searching for new music—one of those rare moments where randomness turns into revelation. Amidst a sea of uninspired or outright painful releases that seemed to blend into each other in a blur of monotony, something different caught my attention. Something genuine. A hidden gem emerged from the shadows: “Vražje bajke” (“Hellish Fairy Tales”), released in 2023.
This 24-minute EP feels more like a journey than a recording. It consists of three pieces inspired by Slovenian folklore, rich in texture and atmosphere, followed by a single ambient track that stretches over ten minutes, closing the record in a haunting, almost spiritual calm. The experience of listening to it is immersive—something between dream and ritual, like wandering into an ancient forest and stumbling upon a hidden rite that has been taking place for centuries.
While “Vražje bajke” cannot be boxed entirely within traditional black metal, its roots are clearly nourished by the genre’s spirit. What makes it stand out is the way it blends that blackened aura with dark ambient textures and folkloric instrumentation. The result is deeply atmospheric and evocative, more interested in casting a spell than following trends. There is no distortion-driven chaos—instead, there is more of a quiet passion, tension, and a kind of sacred stillness, representing dark and enchanting mantra.
The opening track, “Črna Maša” (“Black Mass”), sets the tone with an ominous, slow-burning presence. It draws the listener into a world where each sound has weight, every silence has meaning. The piece unfolds like a ceremonial invocation, hypnotic and deliberate. What is striking is that despite the absence of harsh vocals, the voice of Etienne von Chelleri brings a ritualistic, almost liturgical depth to the songs. His chant-like delivery reminds me of IX from Urfaust—not in imitation, but in emotional and expressive essence. That same intoxicated mysticism, that poetic descent into otherworldliness, is present here too.
The final ambient piece stretches its limbs into a wide-open soundscape from bygone times, filled with space and echo, like walking alone through mist-covered mountains, acting as a quiet plunge into reflection or even reverence.
The folklore woven into the EP is the lifeblood of the record. Teufel doesn’t merely reference the Slovenian dark forces; it conjures it. With authentic percussion, acoustic elements, and evocative chants, “Vražje bajke” creates a world that invites the listener to close their eyes and drift away from modernity. The forests are dense, the shadows alive, and the demons—more than just a simple metaphor. A dark offering. A piece of folklore that breathes its life onto you. For those willing to step away from the predictable and into the unknown, “Vražje bajke” is a rare and rewarding discovery.
Listen to the album below:
Mother of THE VOID.
Underground music is the ultimate weapon against mediocrity.
